Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor firefighters from across our community. They recently traveled to Albany to honor the life and legacy of Merle Nell, a fire police captain and former chief of the Vernon Fire Department in upstate New York. Family, friends, and fellow firefighters watched as Merle's name was inscribed in the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Merle passed away in November 2016 while on the scene of a fire in Vernon Center, New York. His name is now etched on a wall with 2,551 other fallen firefighters from our great State who have given their lives in the line of duty. Affectionately known as ``Skippy'' to his family and friends, Merle's legacy of service lives on through his sons and grandsons. Merle's sons, Scott and Mark, serve as fire chiefs in both Verona and Vernon; and his grandsons, Adam and Matthew, are active firefighters in Vernon, and Zachary is a junior firefighter in Verona. A marine, a father, a postal worker, and a firefighter, Merle's life of service is a true inspiration to everyone in our community. His memory will live on in the hearts of our grateful community both in central New York and in New York State. ____________________”