Image Gallery
Angie’s self-funded “cooking ministry” began in May 2002 when she flew to NYC after escrow closed on the sale of her Tustin, California restaurant.
Some of the early roadblocks and challenges she encountered upon arrival included:
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And as if coordinating the food, finding firehouses, and doing meal preparation wasn’t enough, she had to find a place to live! It was mayhem! Over the two years she moved 12 times – and seven of those moves were in the first three months!
If you ever drive by Angie’s house, you will always see the American Flag and the Marine Corps flag flying. Not just on holidays!
During the 22 years Angie had her restaurant, the Marines had bases in Tustin and El Toro. After being very involved with the city and serving as Chairman of the Board of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce, she became the liaison between the city and the two bases. When her duties representing the city concluded, she continued her involvement with the Marine bases and established many relationships and friendships over the years. She even fed a free Thanksgiving meal to 750 Marines and their families for 18 years. The shadow box to the left holds patches representing many base squadrons.
“The Marine Corps became a very important part of my life.”
Angie Kardashian
Angie’s involvement with the Marine Corps grew through the years and, for all her contributions to the two bases, Commandant Krulak awarded her the Meritorious Public Service medal – the highest honor a civilian can receive (above left). The patch at the right in the photo above represents the blimp hangars at the Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin, California. The American flag was flown over the Marine base for a week before its presentation to Angie as she received her medal.
This shirt was given to Angie by Captain Brown who lost his brother, Battalion Chief Oreo Palmer of Engine 3 and Battalion 7. Palmer’s was one of the full squadrons to reach the 84th floor – each member wearing all their 100 pounds of gear. He transmitted to the command post, “There are many fires and a large amount of carnage,” and he “was headed in to see what he could…” But before he could complete his sentence the building collapsed.
Angie left a monogramed kitchen towel at every fire station after she had served a meal. It was special for her to see them on display in the kitchens of some of the firehouses she was able to revisit. The towels were a gift to her by her good friend Cheri Larson’s daughter Nicole and her spouse Monica.
Battalion Chief Jim Riches, known as “Big Daddy,” is pictured above in the hole at Ground Zero. Chief Riches was at the second firehouse that Angie cooked for. He is wearing his son’s shirt from Ladder Company 114 and carrying his son’s battered helmet. His son, Jimmie Riches, Jr., was to celebrate his 30th birthday on September 12, 2001. A former police officer turned fireman, six months after the attack Jimmy Jr.’s remains were found ten feet below the very spot where his father stood in this photo just three weeks earlier.
Members of Engine 54 Ladder 4 firehouse (above) are carrying up the body of the brother of the policeman who is at the front of the stretcher. The gentleman on the right is his father, retired firefighter Jon Tipping.
So many broken lives, so many broken dreams. Angie knew that her life could never, would never, be the same.
Gary Geidel, an Eagle Scout, former Marine and decorated firefighter with Rescue One is missing from the family photo above. It is not uncommon for generations of families to follow in the footsteps of fathers and grandfathers in the FDNY. Gary was scheduled to be off on September 11 and was due to retire in seven weeks after 20 years of service. Pictured here are Papa Paul Geidel, a Korean War veteran and a retired lieutenant with Rescue One, and his two remaining FDNY firemen sons, Michael and Ralph.
There are so many stories about the lives of some of the people who were murdered on 9/11 and how so many families lost a loved one so senselessly. The poster above by Tommy Gabbay, a fireman at Engine 68, Ladder 49, depicts Father Michael with the iconic damaged walls. Father Michael was not the first person to die, but the first that they recognized, and he became death certificate number one. He was killed by falling debris while praying over a fireman.
Retired FDNY Captain John Vigiano has faced and won many battles in his life and career as a firefighter and a former Marine, including conquering throat cancer in 1980. But his two greatest accomplishments were his sons: NYPD Detective Joseph and FDNY firefighter John the second. Proud cannot begin to describe the way he speaks of his sons. Joe, who became a detective at age 24, was hospitalized on three different occasions for bullet wounds that nearly took his life each time. His hard work and bravery earned him a medal of honor, combat cross and three medals of valor. This photo shows the proud dad with the pictures of his two sons, both lost on 9/11, in his helmet. Joe’s remains were recovered; however, John’s were never found. There are no words to describe this tremendous loss. Captain John Vigiano, with 34 years of service to the FDNY, went home to heaven to be with his sons on July 8, 2018.
Captain Mike Donovan was born in Staten Island, NY and was a New York fireman for 25 years. The night Angie cooked for Squad 18, he gave her a signed copy of the book Requiem, Images of Ground Zero, by Gary Suson, that she uses extensively in her 9/11 presentations. He and his wife, Debbie, and two daughters, Shannon and Kelsey have become a part of her extended family.
The members of his company always prayed when they took off their boots; but this time so many would not be taking off their boots. On this day his prayers were heavy in his heart and God heard them. Up from the dust and smoldering ashes came Old Glory. He knows they did not lose their lives; they gave them. God Bless America!
This picture of a fireman at the World Trade Center was painted by Mike Donovan, Squad 18, Manhattan, and given to Angie.
This doll sang “Amore!” and was used as a centerpiece on the dinner table at each firehouse.
At some point in the evening Angie would distribute song sheets with the lyrics and everyone would sing!
This book, Brotherhood, was dedicated to 9/11 and includes many photos of memorials at numerous firehouses. It was given to Angie by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Bianchino before she left for New York. FDNY Firemen and women signed a page in the book during the evening she cooked for them — creating a very special keepsake of her visit.
Engine 202 Ladder 101 & 131 Brooklyn
Engine 279 Ladder 131 Brooklyn
Engine Co. 74
Rescue One – 530 W. 43rd Street, Midtown Manhattan. Paul Hashagen, pictured here, has authored many books related to the history of fires and the FDNY.
Paul Hashagen, a Firehouse® contributing editor, is a retired FDNY firefighter who was assigned to Rescue 1 in Manhattan. He is also an ex-chief of the Freeport, NY, Fire Department.
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