For weeks, the Carroll family of Cooperstown had a nameless Jack Russell terrier. This weekend, while Cooperstown was hosting NYC firefighters and their families, the puppy was finally given a name by Myles Carroll, the youngest in the family. From now on, he'll be known as FDNY, pronounced Fidney.

Dale Petroskey, president of the Baseball Hall of Fame, introduced FDNY and the Carroll clan at the World Series Gala on Saturday night. He also introduced Noelle and Eric Hage, the couple who organized the getaway weekend for Ladder 165, Engine 317, Battalion 54, firefighters from St. Albans, Queens. Noelle's brother-in-law, Mark Montgomery, serves with the company.

"This is a very special weekend for us in Cooperstown because we get to thank the firefighters from New York. It's unfortunate that it took something as horrific as what happened on September 11 to show us the heroism and bravery these men have everyday. We'll never look at firefighters the same way again," Petroskey said.

Many of the firefighters chatted with their children and wives over hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn, offered by the Hall of Fame, before the game in which the New York Yankees were thrashed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. World Series tickets were given away during the festivities.

"This is a little slice of Americana right here," said Jim Doherty, a firefighter from St. Albans who was rooting for the Diamondbacks because he's a fan of the Mets. "It's absolutely relaxing."

Also on hand for the game were Mike Marshall, a retired first baseman from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Josh Davis, who won three gold medals in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and two silver medals in Sidney in 2000 for swimming. Davis facilitated a swimming clinic for sixty locals youths at the Clark Sports Center during his visit to Cooperstown.

Noelle Hage said hosting the firefighters was the best experience she and her husband ever had.

"They arrived on Friday at our house in a nine car caravan and we gave them directions to their bed and breakfasts and their snack baskets. They went and threw their stuff down and immediately took a private tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fifteen firemen came, twelve of them with their families. Then the entire crew came back to our house for dinner. So many people made food and little plates of cookies, but those little plates added up and there were eighteen kids here wanting cookies, so it was great," said Hage.

She said she was overwhelmed by the support shown by the community. A second grade class at Cooperstown Central School made welcome signs that were posted in shop windows along Main Street. Brewery Ommegang dropped off two cases of beer. An anonymous person left a case of Budweiser on the ninth hole of the Leatherstocking Golf Course with a sign that said, "NYC Firemen, This Bud's For You!" So many people offered rooms that the Hages had to turn them down.

A Saturday afternoon mass at St. Mary's Church will stay with Hage for the rest of her life. Local firemen lent their bell, and the names of those who were associated with Ladder 165, lost since September 11, were read. Following the mass, there was a social gathering.

"I think the firefighters were happy to be wearing their uniforms for a happy occasion instead of to a funeral," Hage said. Ladder 165 didn't escape September 11 without casualties.

It was a weekend filled with memorable moments and stories. Nicole Cring, 6, had painted a rainbow to bury with one of the firefighters so he could see rainbows forever, Hage said. Nicole was able to meet the family to whom the rainbow had been sent.

"This town did a very good thing," said Hage.