On the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks in which many firefighters risked and lost their lives, the Patricia A. Henriques Charitable Foundation on Sept. 11 made a $75,000 grant to McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) to help purchase a new, state-of-the-art fire engine.
Robert Freda, an estate-planning attorney and MVFD administrative volunteer, presented a check to Patricia Moynihan, the fire department’s president. The donation was the largest ever in the department’s 103-year history.
The charitable foundation’s benefactor, Patricia Henriques, died in 2020, and her charitable foundation is managed by Freda and his wife, Tricia.
“My admiration for McLean Volunteer Fire Department is well-known, and it was always noted by my dear friend and colleague Pat [Henriques],” Robert Freda said. “For 40 years, she lived by the Pentagon, and making this grant to assist the heroes of this department on the 23rd anniversary of the attack would thrill her. Personally, it’s very moving to me to be the bridge between her undying spirit and the spirit of this great department.”
Moynihan said the department was “very grateful” for the generous donation, which will go a long way toward purchasing the $500,000 fire engine. Department officials expect delivery of the new engine in 2027.
“We will go from one to two fire engines to serve the people of McLean and greater McLean area,” she said. “This added capability will allow us greater flexibility to respond to emergencies as the number of residents and businesses in the area continues to increase.”
