Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer is presented with an American flag by Mets’ Josh Thole. (AP)
The city today asked a federal judge for permission to re-open its books for aspiring firefighters so that a decorated US Marine can realize his dream to join the FDNY. But Congressional Medal of Honor winner Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer doesn’t believe he’s entitled to an exception.
Keith Sullivan, Meyer’s attorney said, “Sgt. Dakota Meyer is a man of impeccable character. And he greatly appreciates all of the support he has received over the past few days from residents of New York City. Sgt. Meyer does not feel he’s entitled to an exception. At this time, he has advised me he will not accept the court’s offer.”
Sullivan also said that he was trying to convince Meyer to change his mind and submit an application.
Brooklyn federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis, who’s overseeing efforts to increase the number of minorities in the fire department’s ranks after a bitter Justice Department lawsuit, gave the city the green light “in view of Sergeant Meyer’s recognized and truly exceptional military service.”
Garaufis has already indicated to Meyer’s attorney, Keith Sullivan, that he would not oppose the city’s wish to re-open the application period to accommodate the Marine.
However – in an official memorandum earlier today – the judge advised Sullivan that the decision to re-open the FDNY’s books belonged to the city, as long as it explains its rationale and details how it city plans to publicize the temporary extension of the application deadline.
Garufis rejected a broader request from the city to open the doors for 24 hours to everyone who wants to apply to the FDNY, saying that without accompanying recruitment efforts it might actually sabotage the goal of expanding minority ranks in a fire department that’s overwhelmingly white.
Meyer says he missed the earlier two-month application window because of the whirlwind events surrounding his Medal of Honor, which he was awarded by President Obama on Sept. 15.
Meyer, 23, of Columbia, Ky., told the FDNY last Tuesday that he wanted to join the department, but was informed that the deadline had just passed — and that he would have to wait another four years.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a way I feel I can do my part in giving back to America,” Meyer told The Post this weekend after tossing a ceremonial pitch at Citi Field.
Meyer was decorated for valor after he personally evacuated 36 soldiers and killed at least eight Taliban during an intense gun battle in Afghanistan in 2009.
He is the first living Marine since the Vietnam War to earn the medal.
After learning of his efforts to become a firefighter, city officials said they were sympathetic.
“We feel his extraordinary service merits briefly reopening the filing period,” said Julianne Cho, a spokeswoman for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, which administers the FDNY exam set for January.
The soft-spoken Marine visited New York earlier this month after receiving the award, met with Mayor Bloomberg, and made a guest appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”
Meyer said he found inspiration during his quest to join the FDNY in the sacrifices made by city firefighters on 9/11.
“I have tons of respect for them. It’s a job that brave men and women do every day,” said Meyer, whose grandfather was a firefighter in Kentucky.
mmaddux@nypost.com