It was July 1, Sunday Funday, as every Sunday in the summer is so lovingly called, when boaters make their way to the sandbar in Ship Bottom for sun, fun and good times. We had hamburgers packed, plenty of soda and water, and snacks galore. I even had my iPad with me so I could Skype with my daughter in Florida and be part of my grandson’s first birthday.

As we all enjoyed the water, sun and just the pure perfection of the day, one of the guys from another boat stepped on something lying on the sandy bottom of Barnegat Bay. Beneath the cool summer water lay a bracelet. Grabbing it with his toes, he brought it to the surface. Somehow, it made its way to me. Right away I could see it was a memoriam bracelet. I put it safely away in my bag.

The next morning my alarm went off an hour earlier than usual. I guess with all the storms my alarm clock was slightly off its usual mark. With some additional time before work, I decided I would research the name on the bracelet. I took it out from my bag and began to look at it. At one end was an American flag, and on the other end was the firefighter logo. And the bracelet was engraved as follows: “F.F. Kevin A. Apuzzio, EFFD April 11, 2006, ‘Always By Our Side.’”

Right away I knew F.F. stood for firefighter. I Googled his name and proceeded to read his story. What a handsome young man at first glance! He was a member of the East Franklin Volunteer Fire Co. in Somerset County, a student at Rutgers University, a criminal justice major, a member of the Union Emergency Medical Unit, where he served as an EMT. He had just taken the New York City police test, with a bright future in law enforcement ahead of him. He was only 21 years old when during an early-morning call he received word that a 75-year-old woman was trapped inside a burning building. Apuzzio led four other men into the building, where they found the woman unconscious. During the rescue attempt, the first floor of the structure collapsed. Apuzzio and the woman both fell to the basement and became trapped in the fiery structure. They were both recovered but had succumbed to their injuries. My heart ached for his family.

And our connection begins. I am the granddaughter of firefighter Edward Schlatter and the daughter of firefighter Frank Russo, both former members of the Hackensack Fire Department. July 1 marked the 24^th anniversary of the Hackensack Ford fire, which took the lives of five heroic men – Capt. Richard L. Williams, Lt. Richard Reinhagen, firefighter Stephen H. Ennis, firefighter William Krejsa and firefighter Leonard Radumski – when the roof collapsed on them. I remember vividly where I was that fateful day. Their selfless devotion to public service will always be remembered.

And our connection continues. I am the mother of a 21-year-old volunteer firefighter, engineer Michael Araujo of the Parkertown Volunteer Fire Co. He is the same age and rank Kevin Apuzzio was when he lost his life. I shared the story of the bracelet with my son. He looked at it and said to me, “Mom, he’s the firefighter I wrote about at the fire academy.” As part of his training he had to choose a fallen fireman to write a paper on, and Kevin Apuzzio was the firefighter he chose. Later that afternoon, my son told the story of the bracelet and the firefighter to his fellow brothers at the firehouse. They all honored firefighter Apuzzio with fond words, never having met him, but knowing how much he gave, selflessly, to his community.

So I wondered, why did fate choose me? Almost immediately I knew I would write this story. The title was on the tip of my tongue before the words ever reached the paper. I proudly wore the bracelet as I wrote. I had an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment since I’d found the bracelet and especially as I wrote. I think the reason the bracelet found its way to me is so that I may return it to Kevin Apuzzio’s family and tell the story of his bravery once again.

Someone once wore this bracelet faithfully. It had probably slipped off that person’s wrist one day while swimming, and I’m sure the wearer searched for it. But there it rested on the bottom of the bay, waiting for us to find it.

How many of us have lost something with such sentimental value and had it turn up years later? How many have lost something and never found it? The bracelet I found was neither silver nor gold. It didn’t have diamonds or emeralds on it. Nevertheless, it was a great treasure that needed to find its way home.

I came to know Kevin Apuzzio through a bracelet, and in the words of his community. More than 5,000 people attended his funeral. He was an amazing young man. I hope his family will find some solace in knowing that their son has not been forgotten. His memory lives on even to those who had never met him.

My father once told me that no one is truly gone until they are forgotten. Tomorrow I’ll send this treasured bracelet home with a simple note to his family: “Found in the bay off the shore in Ship Bottom. We wanted this treasured item to find its way home. Your son’s memory lives on. Always by Our Side, always in your heart, forever in my prayers.”

Lenore Russo Araujo lives in Little Egg Harbor.

Wow, very nice touching story.

 

My brother in law is also a fireman and he teaches kids in schools about fire safety, I truly have great respects to all firefighters. To the full time firemans and volunteers, they are doing something that I don't even dream of doing, so I thank them all.

We are given gifts and oppurtinities in.life.....they need to be cherished......repeated and never forgotten...thia is one of those moments that take ypur breath away,......

Touching Fate and the Hand of God........

Just an awesome and pre-ordained series of events. Great writing, too. Thanks for sharing.

An amazing story and such a wonderful circumstance of chance you would come upon a bracelet out in the water like that. Kevin Apuzzio will certainly never be forgotten within the fire community. He touched a lot of people in his short life and having spoke to his close friends and fellow firefighter brothers, he left his mark in this world by the way he lived and not the tragic means in which he left. Please keep us posted if they happen to let you know if they tracked down its owner. Kevin was a brave soul who made the ultimate sacrifice doing something he loved. The definition of a true hero.

 

I will ask mike tomorrow, I am pretty sure they did return it to whom it belonged..

This link is currently making facebook rounds through the firefighter community... Your story will certainly find its way through the hearts and minds of the fire service.

 

http://thesandpaper.villagesoup.com/opinion/story/a-bracelet-in-the-bay/857545?cid=1331028#.UAN1Ji4kJBc.facebook