Bravest copter vic laid to rest
AMID THE CHAOS of 9/11, as the fires burned at Ground Zero, volunteer Christopher Zanetis worked alongside the FDNY members searching in the rubble for their lost brothers.
Three years later, he joined their ranks. And in 2008, the heroic Zanetis became a member of the Air National Guard.
The 37-year-old FDNY fire marshal and Air Force major, who was killed March 15 in a helicopter crash in Iraq, was honored Thursday for a life driven by service for city and country at an emotional Greenwich Village sendoff.
The “Celebration of Life” began at his old East Village firehouse and continued in Washington Square Park, where his brown wooden casket arrived beneath its massive marble arch.
“He loved New York, but I can say this with assurance: New York loved him right back,” said Mayor de Blasio in his second eulogy for a lost city firefighter in three days.
“New York saw greatness in him. It’s almost hard to put into words the amount of bravery, courage, belief and faith that made up this man.”
Family members stood nearby, crying and sharing hugs of solace two weeks after his death.
Hundreds of firefighters lined Fifth Ave. as bagpipers played “America the Beautiful” on a gray morning and an American flag hung down from two fire ladder trucks.
After a 21-gun salute to Zanetis, his family received the red, white and blue flag that covered his casket, along with his FDNY helmet.
The memorial service program noted that Zanetis, known as “Tripp,” came out as gay to family members at age 15 and listed his boyfriend among his survivors.
Zanetis died along with six other service members, including fellow FDNY member Lt. Christopher Raguso, when their helicopter hit a power line.
A Saturday funeral was planned for Raguso at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park, L.I.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said Zanetis set a standard of excellence through all his life’s endeavors — whether at Stanford University, the FDNY or the U.S. military.
“Tripp could have done anything in life, but what he chose was to be one of us,” said Nigro. “He chose the FDNY and we are so much better because he did.”
He mentioned how Zanetis ran toward Ground Zero from his apartment three blocks away, working until midnight.
“That day, our department lost so much,” said Nigro. “But we also gained one incredible human being . . . . We are a better department because of all he gave us, and a better city because of how nobly he served.” THE FOURTH annual benefit stairclimb of 1 World Trade Center will honor two Parkland, Fla., high school teachers who died protecting their students. Chris Hixon and Aaron Feis, who were also coaches, died on Feb. 14 during the shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 people dead. “They were not first responders, they were teachers, but they acted like first responder,” said John Hodge, a spokesman for the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb honoring Capt. Billy Burke. “There was incredible heroism shown.” Hixon’s widow, Debra, thanked the group at a dedication on the 102nd floor of the trade center Thursday. “He was a hero not just on Feb. 14, but he lived his life as a hero,” she said. The yearly benefit on June 3, honors Burke, who died on Sept. 11 trying to save two men trapped on the 27th floor of the north tower. “This is my job. This is who I am,” Burke told his girlfriend over the phone before the building fell.