Since 2001 the Mingo family of Red Beach has been donating a large remembrance wreath to a New York City fire station hit hard by the national tragedy of 9/11. Every year the specially made 36" balsam wreath -- decorated with a large red bow, crab apples and different kinds of cones -- arrives at FDNY Engine 16/TL 7 in lower Manhattan and is affixed to the station's exterior with its ladder truck. For the first time in the 15-year history of giving, the Mingo family finally took the time off from their busiest season to go down and meet the fire station's crew. "We decided we needed to do it," says Alden Mingo.
      "It means a lot to me," explains Mingo, of both giving the wreath in recognition of the station's sacrifice and of the family's visit. The station lost over 10 firefighters as a result of 9/11. "It's one of those things that we can't forget; if we did it's not right."
      Mingo had been approached after 9/11 by former Calais Fire Department Lt. Glenn Connelly, who was with the fire department for 14 years. Connelly had attended a firemen's muster and learned about the station's sacrifice through a New Jersey school teacher whose students had volunteered to help at the station immediately following 9/11. Connelly told Mingo about the station, and the rest fell into place. Mingo says, "When Glenn approached us, we just tried to think of something we could do." Being in the wreath business, it seemed a natural fit to create a special wreath for the fire station. The entire Mingo family is involved.
      Connelly, who lives in Baileyville, has taken the wreath down to New York City a number of times and remarks on the relationships that have developed. "It's not just an event with a wreath." The relationship with the fire station's crew "is quite unique and always developing." From one of his delivery trips Connelly returned with a gift from the station to the Mingos: a piece of steel cut from the debris of the World Trade Center and engraved with thanks and remembrance. A piece is also in the historic St. Croix No. 1 Fire Station in Calais, Connelly says.
      A firefighter with the New York City station, Paul Stuart, says that the wreath giving was a bright spot in a very dark time. "In a time of sadness, grief and physical exhaustion, it brightened things up. No one was thinking about Christmas at the time." They were just trying to get through each day. Right after 9/11 the Mingos not only sent the large wreath but sent individual wreaths to the station's family members. Now every year, the big wreath brightens and reminds. Stuart, who is one of the few firefighters still at the station from the 9/11 crew, many others having retired, says, "The new guys, they were very young, were just small kids when 9/11 happened. We make sure they understand with the memorial board, the wreath." While the emotional connection may not be the same as for those who were there working in the wreckage to save lives, he knows that the memories will be carried forward into the future long after he's gone.
       This year the Mingo family joined Connelly and his wife for the long trek down. After the annual open house held by Mingos' business on December 12 closed its doors at 6 p.m., Alden and his wife Donna and two sons, Art and Richard, gathered in Connelly's vehicle and headed to New York. In the wee hours they arrived in Schenectady, N.Y., picked up daughter Jo Anne for a two‑vehicle caravan, and arrived at the lower Manhattan fire station at about 10 a.m. the next morning. Stuart was glad to finally meet the family, saying, "They're great people." Mingo says of the visit, "Oh, they put on a big feast for us, took us to the World Trade Center site. Then when we got back they took out the ladder truck and hung the wreath." He pauses. "I don't know how to describe it," he says, but meeting the crew, seeing the site of such tragedy and the strength of the human spirit was well worth the long overnight drive.
       While the Maine contingent was at the fire station, the crew responded to three calls, none of them ending up to be too serious, but it was impressive to see the station in action. "That fire station is phenomenal," Mingo adds. He and his sons have been involved in firefighting. He says, "We know what can happen any time you have a call. By knowing all that, we feel that we're part of fire departments all over." It's a brotherhood of people who share in helping others, he adds. "We're just proud Americans, and when something like this happens, we can't forget."
       Upon learning of the Mingos' gift to the fire station, Senator Joyce Maker says, "There are many families that give with no thanks needed. The Mingo family is just one of those families that reside in our community. They have had a connection with the fire service for a long time. Richard is currently a captain with Calais Fire, Artie is active with the CFD/Red Beach volunteer department and Alden was also a firefighter in the past. It doesn't surprise me of their dedication to this cause and their continued support of this New York City fire department. We all need to remember their sacrifice when those planes hit the twin towers in New York and so many lost their lives. All of us need to remember and thank them for their service." She adds, "I am so pleased that the family delivered the wreaths this year."
       New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio learned of the Mingos through his aunt, who lives in Eastport. "It was with  joy and appreciation that I heard the news of the Mingo family's recent visit to New York City. I salute them for their very kind gift to our firefighters, and their particular devotion to Engine 16, which lost so many of its members in service to our city and its people. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. The beautiful wreath Engine 16 received this year from the Mingo family is an encouragement and support for our brave firefighters and a lovely act of solidarity with the people of New York City."