9/11 hero John Skala honored in Passaic (09/01/02)

9/11 hero John Skala honored in Passaic

by Stefan Zurawsky

PASSAIC, N.J. - John Skala was killed on the most tragic day in American history: 9/11. This past June 30, a newly constructed EMS Building on Grove Street in Passaic, N.J., was dedicated to the memory of this hero, an active member of the Ukrainian American community. Present at the very moving dedication ceremony were the mayor and City Council members of Passaic, firefighters, police officers and EMT workers from all jurisdictions, Mr. Skala's family, friends and members of the Ukrainian community of the Clifton and Passaic areas, as well as his fellow members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM).

Besides being an eight-year veteran of the Police Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Mr. Skala also worked after hours for the Passaic-Clifton EMS. June 30 would have been his 32nd birthday.

"We lost a true hero, who gave his own life while saving others' lives. John Skala could have easily fled, but felt it his obligation to save others," said Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera.

On September 11 Mr. Skala was stationed at the Lincoln Tunnel. After the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, he and others rushed to the site. Mr. Skala, a trained emergency medical technician (EMT) decided to help others in trouble; then his life ended.

"John (Yash) Skala was a person, who devoted his life to others, a quality that separated him from others," said Capt. Len Mackesy of the Port Authority Police Department. For his fine work in the department Officer Skala was awarded two Meritorious Duty Medals.

Rep. Bill Pascrell emphasized the importance of the ceremony, noting that the newly dedicated building should be a constant reminder of all those who died on September 11. The congressman finished by saying: "I see the pain and sorrow of the Skala family and all families who lost loved ones in the terrorist acts, and now I understand how important their memory is, their memory that will be with us always."

The participants of the dedication ceremony, all still very emotional and teary-eyed, reminisced and talked about Mr. Skala's life at a reception hosted by local firefighters.

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Mr. Skala was a longtime member of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) in Passaic, and held several positions on its board. He was also an active member of the board of directors of the Ukrainian Center of Passaic.

The 16th world congress of the Ukrainian Youth Association, which was held in November 2001 in Chicago, posthumously awarded the Iron Cross of Valor to Mr. Skala. This is the highest honor in SUM, and the first time ever it is being awarded. The cross will be presented to Mr. Skala's family at the annual Zdvyh ceremonies on Sunday, September 1, at SUM's resort in Ellenville, N.Y.

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