Newly found blood vials allow for funeral of 9/11 fire chief

Theresa Stack follows her husband's flag-draped casket. Photo / AP

Thousands of firefighters in their dress blues stood at attention and saluted yesterday as a flag-draped casket passed carrying two tiny vials of blood, the only known remains of a comrade who died in the September 11 attacks.

For 15 years, the family of Fire Department of New York Battalion chief Lawrence Stack were unable to put him to rest with a funeral Mass because no trace of his body was found in the rubble of the World Trade Centre. But the family recently discovered the blood, which the 58-year-old Stack had donated as part of a bone marrow drive for a child with cancer before the 2001 attacks.

Rich Brandt, a chief with the Long Beach, California, brigade, showed a bracelet with Stack's name on it that he has worn since 2001. "He was kind of a dad to me," Brandt said.

Stack's two sons, both New York firefighters, stood watch on the back of a ceremonial fire engine bearing the flag-draped casket as it passed by firefighters and dignitaries standing at attention.

Michael Stack said his father, who was a safety expert, was last seen assisting a man who had injured his leg when the south tower collapsed with him on the ground below.The New York City Emerald Society Pipe Band played Amazing Grace as the casket was led into Saints Philip and James Roman Catholic Church on Long Island.

Theresa Stack, who was presented with her husband's helmet as she left the church, said the family wanted to hold a public funeral "so people don't forget" September 11.