Touch of Brass for 9/11 Hero's Son

Firefighter John Feehan became an FDNY lieutenant yesterday, surrounded by his family and a cadre of fellow fire-eaters.

But the event was bittersweet because his father, the man who inspired him to join the FDNY, wasn't there. His dad, First Deputy Commissioner William Feehan, was the highest-ranking FDNY official killed in the 9/11 terror attack on the World Trade Center.

The elder Feehan held every rank within the New York City Fire Department at one time or another.

"I should be so lucky," said newly-ranked Lt. Feehan, 35. "I don't think I have the intellect to do that. That'll be a goal."

Thirty firefighters yesterday were promoted to the rank of lieutenant.