Fort Totten, Queens, New York 9/11/2001 Memorial Ceremony

361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element
Story by Capt. Jason Pyeatt

Date: 09.08.2012
Posted: 09.08.2012 16:18
News ID: 94404

Remembering Army reservist assigned to Ft. Totten whom died 9-11-2001

Date/Time: 8 September 2012, 0900

Location: Ft. Totten Memorial site in between the pond and building 200. Google map: Underhill Avenue and Duane road, New York, NY 11359 – continue on Duane Road to the fenced Army Reserve Facility.

Lt. Col. William Pohlmann, who had 27 years of military service, worked in his civilian job as an attorney for the New York State Department of Taxation, which had an office at the World Trade Center. He was also a volunteer firefighter and engine company president with the Ardsley Volunteer Fire Department in New York.

Capt. Michael Mullan was a New York City firefighter for Ladder 12. He had fifteen years of military service and was a member of the Army Nurse Corps with the 344th Combat Support Hospital. That day, Mullan was conducting rescue operations at the Marriott Hotel which stood between the two Twin Towers.

Capt. Mark Whitford, who had eight years of military service, worked as a chauffeur for Manhattan’s Engine Company 23. It was his duty to remain in the truck while the other firefighters went into the towers, but this time he went with the team into the burning South Tower.

Warrant Officer Ronald Bucca, who had 29 years of military service, was assigned as a fire marshal to the Manhattan Command. Incidentally, Chief Bucca was the first fire marshal killed in the line of duty with the Fire Department of New York.
Staff Sgt. Frederick Ill, who had sixteen years of military service, was a fire captain with Ladder 2 of Manhattan. He gained fame in 1999 for helping to save the life of a forty-six year old father of three, who was pushed onto the tracks of an oncoming subway train.

Sgt. Shawn Powell, who had thirteen years of military service, was a firefighter assigned to Engine Company 207 in Brooklyn. Sergeant Powell served four years on active duty with the Army before joining the Army Reserve. He completed the combat medic course and emergency medical technician course, and was serving as a medical assistant.

Remarks will be made by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phyllis Wilson, who is the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the United States Army Reserve and warrant officer advisor to the Chief of the Army Reserve/Commanding General.

A special presentation to family members of the army reserve soldiers who died on 9-11 will be given by Maj. Gen. William D. Razz Waff, Commanding General, 99th Regional Support Command (RSC) (located on Ft. Dix, NJ). As the Commanding General of the 99th RSC, Waff is responsible for administrative, logistics and facilities support to more than 51,000 Army Reserve soldiers in 439 units at 328 U.S. Army Reserve centers in the northeast.

Commander of Army Reserve facilities on Fort Totten, Col. Leela Gray, will introduce the guest speaker. Gray commands the 151st TIOG (Theater Information Operations Group) at Fort Totten.

Guest speaker will be Maj. Gen. (retired) Richard S. Colt, who was the commanding general of the 77th Regional Readiness Command (RRC).

The 77th no longer exists as a unit – all of the remembered soldiers were assigned to the 77th RSC.

Maj. Gen. (retired) Colt and Maj. Gen Waff will lay a wreath on the memorial.

A number of elected officials will either send letters or will be in attendance.

Also in attendance will be soldiers currently assigned to units on Fort Totten, NY.

Members of the media, please contact Capt. Jason Pyeatt and Sgt. 1st Class Terri Will if you/your organization want to attend/cover this ceremony.