World Trade Center Tragedy: Touched San Diego's Little Italy

Marco Li Mandri, President of LIA - On labor Day weekend, Steve Mercado, President of the New York Emperor's Stickball League and Captain of the Bronx Gold team, visited San Diego to play in the International Stickball Tournament. Steve played on the Bronx Gold team that beat the San Diego's Caffe Italia team in the finals on Monday, September 3rd on Columbia Street. Eight days later on Tuesday, September 11th, in response to the horrible events at the World Trade Center, Steve Mercado and his fire company, Engine 40 Ladder 35, ran into the World Trade Center to help with the evacuation. Steve, his brother fire fighters, as well as their truck disappeared after the first tower collapsed.

Steve leaves behind two sons, 6-year-old Skylar and 2-½ year old Austin, his wife, Joviana, and his parents. Steve's kindness, love of his family and love of life touched us all. As a tribute to Steve and the thousands of others who were killed that catastrophic day, we say thank you for your service and selfness to your fellow Americans. We have printed a picture of Steve, a clip from the NY Times, as well as a letter from Jim Strickland, of the San Diego Knights Stickball League, who attended Steve's Memorial Services.

Keeping a Hand in Baseball, NY Times
While growing up in the Bronx, Steve Mercado wanted to play for the Yankees. And even though he ended up becoming a firefighter, he did not exactly leave his boyhood dream behind. He played softball with other firefighters. He presided over a stickball league. And he was helping to create a baseball and stickball league for children under 9. "He had his fingers in everything," said his mother, Mary Mercado. "Every time someone calls, I say, `I didn't know that.' "

But Mr. Mercado, 38, who remained in the Bronx with his wife and two sons, also loved being a firefighter, his mother said. He is now one of 11 firefighters missing from Engine 40, Ladder 35 in Manhattan. His parents, who live in Florida, visited the firehouse recently and were greeted with hugs and kisses from fIrefighters and strangers alike. "They cry with us," Mrs. Mercado said of the strangers dropping off flowers, food and money at the firehouse. "New York City has been great. They feel the pain." But none more than her son's Fire Department brothers, she said.

"The firemen are the ones that are hurting," Mrs. Mercado said. "They say they have to have hope."

That is why she still spoke of the oldest of her three sons in the present tense. "I'm very proud of him," she said. "He's a great son."

Little Italy Stickball Leaders Attend Services for Steve Mercado,
Letter from Jim Strickland
Hi There,
Willie, Vince, Joel and I attended the Memorial Service for Steve Mercado last Saturday in the Bronx, NYC. The service was held in a Catholic church in the Bronx. I counted 1200 to 1300 people present. It was standing room only. The place was packed! The service was lovely with worship songs, a solo, a message by the priest and communion. The finale was appropriately titled "Accolades."
About 20 family and friends stood at the podium and spoke words describing Steve and his love for his family, his community, his fellow firefighters and, of course, stickball. Many of the word pictures brought tears to the eyes of those present. Several of the speakers received standing ovations.
Willie represented the California contingent. Once Willie stopped crying and was actually able to speak, his words echoed the fondness we all felt/feel for Steve. Willie continued into a heartfelt message based upon biblical scripture, which reminds us that life is but a vapor. We are here on earth only for a short time.
Are we ready to face God? Will He say, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" Now is the time to examine your relationship with Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by me." The only choices are Heaven and Hell. You pick.
The service was 2 1/2 hours in length. Following the service, we met with Joviana at a reception. There, Willie presented the card (prepared by Tom Di Zinno), the check for $4,000, the condolence book, a package from Jim Chafe and a variety of letters, articles and other materials from different people (related to stickball). She was very pleased to receive all of the stuff. You all touched her heart and brought some peace and joy to her in this difficult time.
Thank you again for all you did in your support of Joviana and Steve's memory.
Jim Strickland