Red carpet' rolled out for NYC firefighter

By By Fredie Carmichael/staff writer
Feb. 26, 2002
Mayor John Robert Smith announced Monday that a New York firefighter who worked to rescue victims from the World Trade Center disaster last year will visit Meridian this weekend.
Vincent Molinini and his wife, Maria, are expected to arrive in town Friday afternoon. The couple will spend the weekend touring the city and being entertained by Meridian firefighters and other city residents in a show of appreciation.
The Molininis will be at the Central Fire Station on 15th Street from 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. Saturday to meet the public. After a tour of the city during the day, the family will join the Meridian firefighters for crawfish and southern barbecue Saturday night.
Molinini is a 23-year veteran of the NYFD and works for Engine Co. No. 23 which lost six men in the Sept. 11 attack.
Lauderdale County Tourism Executive Director Sandy Bynum called it a unique opportunity to host the New York family.
Bynum said on Saturday the couple will tour the city's architecture and historical sites, including the Highland Park Firefighters Memorial, Merrehope, Dentzel Carousel, Bonita Lakes and others.