BUFFALO, N.Y. — Supporting first responder families that pay the ultimate price — that's what an organization created after 9/11 has done for the family of fallen Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno.
Arno was killed in a tragic fire on Main Street in Buffalo back in March.
On Wednesday, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation gave his wife and daughter a new place to call home.
Tunnel to Towers Board Member Tom O’Connor told 2 On Your Side after having the most important person to them taken away, relieving the burden of paying for a home was the least they could do.
“It just shows people how fragile you know people that are in the military, people that are first responders, you kiss your loved one goodbye and you never know what's going to happen,” O’Connor said.
Harkening back to when Arno was laid to rest at Forest Lawn, on Wednesday his family was led by Engine 2 through the streets of the city he once served, to a ceremony that honored his life.
“We're here just to make sure he's not forgotten,” O’Connor said.
Tunnel to Towers was touched by Arno’s dedication to his family and fire department.
Like they’ve done for thousands of other first responder families, they presented the keys to a new home mortgage free, removing at least one burden from their lives.
“Most of all he's remembered as a loving husband and father putting his family above all else,” O’Connor said during Wednesday’s ceremony.
Firefighter Arno’s wife, Sarah Tierney, offered her thanks to the organization, which — after supporting them throughout this difficult time — has in a way become a part of her family.
“Not only did you give us a home of our own, a place to build a new foundation but you gave us hope when we had none. You shined some light at the end of a very dark tunnel,” Tierney said.
Friends and family have set up a foundation in Jason's memory.
They say any money raised will help provide resources for first responders in Western New York and also start a scholarship for any high school senior in the region who is the child of a first responder.