My Name is Bill Chilson and I am the Captain of E-62 in the Bronx. We share a firehouse with Michael's company Ladder 32,and I had the pleasure of working with Michael for the first year of his career, before he left on a one year rotation to E-40 and Ladder 35 in Manhattan.

When I first met Mike he was brand new. And smart enough to do what a probationary firefighter is supposed to do. Keep busy and not say too much. But Mike really didn't have to say much.  His big ear to ear grin said it all:
He was happy to be where he was and loved being a member of Ladder 32 in the New York City Fire Department

Shortly after President Kennedy was assassinated someone wrote a book with the title "Johnny we hardly knew you". I'll steal that line and say "Michael we hardly knew you", by all rights we should have had 20 or more years to know you and enjoy your company, but that was not to be. I know I speak for the whole firehouse when I say we feel the loss and are deeply saddened.

I don't want to go on too long but I do want to say a few words about courage.

Two types of courage:

The courage to risk your life for others

And the courage to carry on after an enormous loss.

Michael proved on September 11th that he had the first kind of courage. Capt. Uebel mentioned that Mike's Father, Jack Lynch, was able to get a videotape showing Michael as he entered the building. It is almost as if someone wanted us to see Michael's last moments when the camera is focused on his face as he clearly looks up at the towers he is about to enter. No one can say for sure what he was thinking as he looked up, but if I had to put a label on his expression it would be determination.  He was determined to do his job and save lives Even though he knew the danger. That is courage.

A few years ago I was at boxing match in the armory of the 69th New York Regiment the famous fighting 69th. They had a club room with a bar and display cases of Battle flags. medals and pictures of the war heroes of the fighting 69th. I was with a couple of other firemen and I said to them that it was a great honor to be able to have a drink in the same room these real heroes had once used ------ they thought about it a minute and agreed. Well I don't have to go far now I can go to the kitchen of E-62 and Ladder 32 or Engine 40 and Ladder 35 and have a cup of coffee in a room where a hero once was. In fact I can go into the kitchen of almost any firehouse and have the same experience. Michael now walks with the heroes in heaven not a probie but an equal---- a hero because of his courage.

The other type of courage I wanted to talk about was the courage to carry on after a great loss.

That is the courage that we all must find.

The Lynch family and Michael's fiancée Stephanie most of all.

I have only known the Lynch family a short time. But they are strong. They have the courage to carry on. They may not know it but in the first few awful weeks after September 11 they gave us strength and hope in the firehouse. One day when I was down and sure that there was no hope for survivors the Lynch family came to the firehouse. They filled the kitchen not just with people but with family warmth and hope. They had me give a one hour class on Hi Rise firefighting and by the time they left my hope was back.

Michael was very lucky to have two such loving parents.  And growing up with 9 brothers and sisters I am sure he never lacked company or playmates. His Mom has the quiet strength that a woman needs to bring up 10 children, and a motherly grace that makes you feel comfortable and at home the second you meet her. His Father, Jack, is a strong patriarch, a rock, and the family will recover - Jack will see to it.  I have seen him in action when he wants something - he will not be denied.  This loving family--- and when I say family I am including Stephanie because I can see that she is a part of the family.  This family does have the courage to carry on.

May God Bless Stephanie and the Lynch family and care for Michael until we see him again.

Thank you