Tribune-Review
YOUNGWOOD BOROUGH, Pa. — E. Jeffrey “Lance” Wenztel never really wanted to be anywhere else but stationed at the Youngwood Hose Company No. 1 where he served for 35 years as a volunteer firefighter.
So, it was only fitting that under sun-drenched skies Sunday afternoon, members of the Youngwood department revealed a permanent memorial to their fallen brother who died while searching for a missing woman.
Wentzel, 57, was struck and killed by an oncoming train that he did not hear during the March 22 search in North Versailles.
For the last nine months, his fire department colleagues worked to erect a memorial in his honor.
“This is something I never signed on for. It was our darkest hour down here,” said Youngwood fire Chief Lloyd Crago.
About 200 community members, firefighters and family gathered at the Youngwood station for the first public viewing of the jet black granite memorial that depicts Wentzel’s picture surrounded by four words: Honor, Dedication, Sacrifice and Courage. Words that represent Wentzel’s service to the department, Crago said.
“He gave his life doing what he loved,” Crago said. “I’m comforted in knowing Lance was honored to be there that day.”
Youngwood firefighters placed carnations at the base of the memorial stone monument and two granite benches. The station’s fire siren sounded throughout Youngwood as firefighters marched past Wentzel’s family and into the station house, where his locker has remained intact and behind glass.
Deputy Chief Robert Coletta said Wentzel was usually the first man to answer calls to duty and that his dedication to the fire department never waned.
“When our alarm sounds our members will respond past this memorial under the watchful eye of Jeff Wentzel,” Coletta said. “Firefighter Wentzel may not be here on Earth with us, but I believe he will be watching over us.”
Wentzel’s wife, Judi, placed a bouquet of red roses at the base of her husband’s memorial.
“This is a piece of my husband at his second home. Our community is family, and my husband loved it here since the time he was a boy. He is a pillar of this community, and I am so proud he is my husband,” Wentzel said.
“He always said it would be the only way he wanted to pass away, in the line of duty. He is at peace,” she said.
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