This is a hard day for those of us engaged in emergency services. We think of our brothers and sisters (although there were very very few women that day; a reflection of the disparity of diversity in the fire service) who looked up at the towers as they went through the doors. As they climbed and climbed, sucking in their last breath of air and of life.
We walk into this arena without being pushed. We are proud and able. Most will have no
more than a couple of raging structure fires and plenty of false alarms. Several will have close calls, looking a death right in the face and cheating it. Cheating it this time. Walking away, knowing what a close call looks like. Every one of us works to make sure those around us, who walk with us side by side, go home at the end of the night, at the end of the event. We come back day after day to help those who experience the worse day of their life. It is an honor. It is a privilege.
How could we ever forget September 11? Now, 17 years later, there is a generation that did not experience that day. They read about it in their history books - like we read about the Holocaust and the Civil War. Time ticks on as towers fall and desperate people jump. How can we forget?
I am lucky I found this path and thank Michael and September 11 for showing me the way. Never having been full time employed, I initially shied away from the offering of a career. But I felt like I could do more and I wanted to help others. So here I am. Feeling sad and thankful all at the same time, tears dripping down my cheeks and a heart filled with sadness for the many many families who are missing their loved ones today.
There is a live video of our 9/11 Commemoration on Facebook Facebook Video
It's a hard day. Let us never forget.
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