Family members and friends of the New  York City firefighters of Ladder Company 128  gathered at the firehouse in Sunnyside on Friday, February 5 to celebrate the company’s 100th year of service.

The firefighters were thanked and praised for their years of hard work and were presented with a plaque for their effortsThe ceremony began with the tradition of bagpipes and drums, soon followed by the “Star Spangled Banner” and a prayer. Captain James A. Mills then introduced the speakers, who included Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, Chief of Department Edward Kilduff and former firefighter John Killcommons.

The firefighters were thanked and praised for their years of hard work and were presented with a plaque for their efforts. The plaque read: “Members past and present proudly protected the lives and property of the people of Blissville, Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside, Queens and Greenpoint, Brooklyn.” Recognition was given to those who had helped in the tragedy of September 11 and to those who died in the line of duty.

According to officials, the turnout was much greater than expected. So much greater, in fact, that some of the audience found themselves standing because all the seats had been filled. “It was phenomenal,” raved Killcommons,  for 30 years a firefighter at Ladder 128, when asked about the ceremony after it had concluded.

Known affectionately as “Tombstone Territory” due to the surrounding graveyard, Ladder Co. 128 was originally founded on Feb. 7, 1910 as Hook and Ladder Co. 78 on Greenpoint Ave in the town of Blissville. The name was changed to Hook & Ladder 128 on Jan. 1, 1913.