TARA was named for FIREFIGHTER ALLAN TARASIEWICZ, who paid the ultimate price in the attack on America September 11, 2001. Firefighter Tarasiewicz, age 45, was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Assigned to Rescue 5 of the New York City Fire Department, September 11 was to be the first day of a vacation for him. The night before September 11, he was asked to report to work that next day and was ultimately dispatched to the World Trade Center. One of 11 firefighters missing from Rescue 5, Mr. Tarasiewicz had a dream of being a firefighter since childhood and had been recently elected Rescue 5 union delegate. Married 24 years, he leaves behind his wife and two children. We salute Firefighter Tarasiewicz, a hero, and name this sweet girl in his honor.

(Source: The Staten Island Advance 10/3/01, F.D.N.Y.)