Monday, September 09, 2002

By SAM LUBELL

For Gregg Froehner, having fun on the township's playing fields was part of growing up in Wayne. Later, as a young adult, his deep ties to the community spurred him on to public service.

Now, the community is saying thanks: Wayne's newest sports fields will become a permanent memorial to Froehner, a Sept. 11 victim who died in the line of duty. Gregg Froehner Memorial Park will be part of Singac Brook Park South, just converted to soccer and softball fields this spring.

Froehner was a 46-year-old squad leader for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department's Emergency Services Unit. He was well-respected for his valor and had been decorated for bravery. He was one of 37 Port Authority officers who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

The park's name change officially took effect after an ordinance was adopted at the township's July 17 council meeting.

"There's certainly no higher tribute we can pay to somebody than to be able to name a park or another town facility after them," Mayor Scott Rumana said. "This will last forever."

An estimated six acres of the renamed park is right off Runnymede Drive, across the street from the Municipal Building. It will be used by the public and recreation leagues, including the Police Athletic League and the Boys and Girls Club. Another field in the vicinity was used by Froehner when he was growing up.

Froehner was a graduate of Wayne Valley High School and served with the Preakness Fire Company No. 4. He also was a dispatcher for the Wayne Police Department. He worked for the Port Authority police for 21 years.

He was known to be dependable and courageous, colleagues said. Sgt. John Flynn of the Port Authority Police Emergency Services Unit remembers him risking his life several times, including climbing onto the top of the George Washington Bridge to save a fallen worker, and hauling himself on top of an elevator in the World Trade Center sometime before Sept. 11 to pull people out. He was awarded a Group Valor Award for his efforts during the World Trade Center bombing of 1993.

"He was the kind of guy that could walk into a situation of mass hysteria and put the whole thing into perspective," Flynn said.

Before he died, Froehner lived in Chester in Morris County with his wife and four children. But his heart, many who knew him remember, was with the hometown of his youth.

"He always talked about Wayne," Flynn said. "I think the park is a nice memento."

Added Rumana: "Gregg's whole life was involved in being in a position to help others. He certainly contributed an awful lot of time. This is the greatest way we can say thank you."

The suggestion to name the park after Froehner came from resident John Gabriel, who worked with Froehner at the Preakness fire company. He sent the mayor a letter in June.

Three Wayne residents and at least three who grew up in Wayne died in the attacks, according to township records. A future memorial is being planned for them, although no details are available.

Wayne is not alone in honoring a Sept. 11 hero with a name change. West Milford is changing the name of its Quail Trail to the Jeremy Glick Trail. Glick, a township resident, was aboard American Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania after Glick and other passengers - foiled an attempt by hijackers to fly the plane toward Washington, D.C.

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