Salisbury firefighter Victor Isler was laid to rest Monday in his native New York at a ceremony attended by fellow Salisbury firefighters and city officials.
Isler and firefighter Justin Monroe died battling a March 7 blaze at Salisbury Millwork.
Before returning early Tuesday from a long, emotional journey, Salisbury officials paid their last respects to Isler and paid tribute to his family.
“The Salisbury Fire Department will stand by you, love you and protect you, as long as we can find you,” Chief Bob Parnell told Isler’s family at the visitation ceremony. “We love you.”
The “Firematic Service” at Jordan Park Funeral Home in Island Park, N.Y., included a eulogy in which Parnell talked about Isler’s dedication to the profession and the brotherhood of firefighters.
“Victor was passionate about the fire service and wanted to be a full-time firefighter,” Parnell said as an honor guard stood silent vigil, “and Victor made an impact on the Salisbury Fire Department.”
Parnell said Isler shared his love of the fire service with young firefighters.
“Victor taught aspiring firefighters how to respect and honor the job and how they could best serve their community,” he said. “Victor taught brotherhood and was always respectful.”
Echoing Isler’s familiar and respectfully spoken words, Parnell said, “Yes, Chief. No, Chief,” with a smile.
“I can tell you that Victor Isler had a great impact on his fellow firefighters in Salisbury by teaching them the word ‘brother.’ ”
Parnell said Isler’s dedication to the fire service was ongoing and “he taught us many things that he had learned at FDNY. He so loved Rescue 1, finishing Top Gun right out of Rookie School. His service to his country was insurmountable.”
More than 325 fire personnel, two at a time, approached Isler’s casket during a procession to pay final respects.
Companies from New York’s Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department, where Isler had been a volunteer, and Salisbury Fire Department led the Firematic Service procession. Also in the procession were personnel from Ocean Side, Lynnbrook, Brooklyn and New York City fire departments; EMS, Rescue, Suicide and Flood Light units and Junior Firefighters.
Deacon Jim Flaherty led the congregation in the Lord’s Prayer.
Jesus teaches that “greater love no man has, than one who lays down his life for another,” the deacon told the family. “Tracy, Ryan-Ann and Vic Jr., you have given the ultimate sacrifice and God will never forget this day.”
Later Sunday evening, members of the Salisbury Fire Department traveled to Manhattan to honor and pay tribute to New York City firefighters who lost their lives during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept, 11, 2001. They also visited Station 10 and Rescue One Station, where staff members offered their condolences to the Salisbury group.
Monday’s graveside service started with a procession from Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department to St. Charles Cemetery in East Farmingdale, N.Y. Engine 343, a 1951 Mack Fire Engine, provided the caisson for Isler. A gift from the state of North Carolina, the engine’s number is symbolic of the number of New York firefighters lost during the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy.
Parnell walked alone in front of the caisson as a bagpiper played, and firefighters flanked the fire engine procession on foot.
Firefighters rode atop Engine 343 and stood on the rear of the truck.
Isler’s children accompanied their father aboard the caisson.
More than 165 firefighters from North Carolina and New York stood at attention as the caisson approached and entered the cemetery, passing under large American flags suspended from fire truck ladders.
The graveside service offered a bagpiper rendition of “Amazing Grace,” with the presentation of the American flag that had accompanied Isler aboard the caisson to his wife and children.
Following a luncheon hosted by the Deer Park Fire Department, the Salisbury firefighters departed for home.
Of Isler, Capt. Wayne Harkey said, “I never met anybody who wanted to do so much … for so many people.”
A joint funeral service for Isler and Monroe was held Thursday in Salisbury. Monroe was buried at Rowan Memorial Park.