On September 9, 1997, at 9:50 pm, the Irvington Fire Department started receiving numerous phone calls about a house fire at 54 Grove Terrace with people trapped inside. Only minutes before, Jerry Gray and his long-time friend, Sturd Alston, were next door. They heard an explosion and screams. Racing outside to see 54 Grove Terrace in flames, Jerry and Sturd reacted instinctively and immediately to several neighbors’ claims that children were trapped on the second floor. Pushing down the front door, they went in attempting but failing to get to the second floor. Their heroic action cost Jerry Gray dearly. As fire was burning on both his arms. he came outside only to find that Sturd was not there. While Jerry was being restrained by neighbors from returning to the house, firemen who had quickly arrived, went in and pulled out his best friend. But it was too late. The loss of Alston’s life and the sustained serious burns over 30% of Jerry’s body are a tragic measure of humankind at it’s best. Jerry and his friend put their lives on the line to save others.