FARMINGDALE — Firefighter Julian Beale is humbled and honored to have been recognized by two organizations for his spirit of service, courage and heroism.

The 34-year-old Auburn firefighter and emergency medical technician, who also volunteers for the Farmingdale Fire Department and lives in Farmingdale, last week received the Hero of the Year award from The Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses, a Maine veteran’s group.

On Saturday, the Maine Department of the American Legion at its annual convention in Bangor honored Beale with its Emergency Medical Technician of the Year award.

Patrick Eisenhart, Ninth District vice commander for the Legion, said Beale was cited for his efforts to appropriate two sections of the World Trade Center salvaged from the wreckage of the 9/11 terrorist attack to serve as memorials in the city of Auburn and the town of Farmingdale.

The memorials to remember those who lost their lives in the attack were dedicated in two separate ceremonies organized by Beale.

Beale also was recognized for helping to save the life of a Randolph man trapped in a burning apartment building.

“Julian Beale and his family inspire all of us to do more for our communities and fellow man,” Eisenhart said Monday. “Those of us in the Maine American Legion could not let this man’s service go unrecognized.”

Lu Lamoreau, ritual director for the 40 & 8 Society and adjutant for Veterans Memorial Post 205, said his group chose Beale for his efforts to bring to central Maine sections of the steel beams from the World Trade Center.

Lamoreau said anyone who would go through the two-year application process to appropriate the beams and then haul the twisted steel from New York to Maine goes beyond any personal agenda.

Beale lives in Farmingdale with his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Aidan and Alexia.

He graduated from Cony High School in 1997 and attended Southern Community College to become a licensed plumber.

Beale said he had always been interested in becoming a firefighter and joined the Farmingdale department as a volunteer 12 years ago. He made a career change five years ago when he joined the Auburn Fire Department as a full-time firefighter and licensed emergency technician.

Beale said he is honored by the fire and emergency service recognition, and he credits his family for their support.

“I don’t ever do anything with a, ‘What am I going to get out of it?’ kind of attitude,” Beale said. “Like putting in for the pieces of the World Trade Center and hosting the two memorial ceremonies — I just believed it was something we needed to do.”

Mechele Cooper — 621-5663

mcooper@centralmaine.com

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