Remembering September 11, 2001
http://www.selahnews.com/articles/1415/1/Remembering-September-11-2001/Page1.html
Contributor Submission
By Contributor Submission
Published on 09/17/2009
Last Friday, September 11th, was a time to reflect on the last eight
years since 343 FDNY firefighters lost their lives trying to save
others. As it is often said, firefighters are always running into
burning buildings or disasters as others are running out, no questions
asked, that’s the job! That infamous day was the highest loss of life
to firefighters in a single incident since Benjamin Franklin organized
the nation’s first volunteer fire department.
By JERRY DAVIS
Last Friday, September 11th, was a time to reflect on the last eight years since 343 FDNY firefighters lost their lives trying to save others. As it is often said, firefighters are always running into burning buildings or disasters as others are running out, no questions asked, that’s the job! That infamous day was the highest loss of life to firefighters in a single incident since Benjamin Franklin organized the nation’s first volunteer fire department.
Lest we forget all the citizens of our Nation who also lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Arlington, Virg., and the crash site in Shanksville Penn., and those on board those ill-fated flights. Also to those military members at the Pentagon and to those who fight against terrorism around the world on a daily basis, we need to remember their sacrifice.
The fire service is stepped with tradition and the loss of firefighters in the line of duty does not go unnoticed by the brother and sister firefighters across the state and the Nation.
We still remember the 343 and all the others who gave so much in the past and to those who will give so much in the future.
So, again this year as we started our day at the firehouse on 9/11/09, we changed to a new flag on our pole. With respect we pout our old tattered flag away to be properly disposed of. We raised our new flag to the top of the pole and then lowered it to half-staff in respect and honor.
This poem entitled, “True Heroes,” written by Kelley Evans, 17, of Port Orchard, Wash., was read that day:
They see the terrorized faces
And feel the heat first hand
The horror now surrounds them
In the destruction of our land
Their work is never ceasing
They search into the night
Mountains of rubble and
sadness
But they don’t give up the fight
The fight to bring some closure
To the loved ones left behind
To help begin their healing
And bring comfort to the minds
The comfort that is needed
In the awful time of grief
Still trying to understand
As we watch in disbelief
These firemen and search crews
To whom many owe their lives
Are the brave souls still searching
For who may have survived
Risking their own lives at every moment
In what they call “Ground Zero”
These men, women, husbands and wives
Each a true American hero
True heroes that deserve our thoughts
Our caring prayers and love
Their courage and
unselfishness
Reach to the heavens above
And above we look into the clouds
Where smoke still fills the sky
Yet we are reminded of our greatness
To see the stars and stripes fly high
During that blue cloudless day, just outside my office window, our new flag whipped in a light breeze in all its glory. As corny as it may sound to some, it was and is a beautiful sight to see.
We the members of the Selah Fire Department are very fortunate to have never lost one of our own in the line of duty. But I know that if one of us does, it will be to save a savable life, not with abandon but with proper training and calculated risk.
The members of the Selah Fire Department and Yakima County Fire District #2 thank you for your support through the years and appreciate your support in the future.
Thank you.
Editor’s note: Jerry Davis is the Fire Chief at the Selah Fire Department.
Last Friday, September 11th, was a time to reflect on the last eight years since 343 FDNY firefighters lost their lives trying to save others. As it is often said, firefighters are always running into burning buildings or disasters as others are running out, no questions asked, that’s the job! That infamous day was the highest loss of life to firefighters in a single incident since Benjamin Franklin organized the nation’s first volunteer fire department.
Lest we forget all the citizens of our Nation who also lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Arlington, Virg., and the crash site in Shanksville Penn., and those on board those ill-fated flights. Also to those military members at the Pentagon and to those who fight against terrorism around the world on a daily basis, we need to remember their sacrifice.
The fire service is stepped with tradition and the loss of firefighters in the line of duty does not go unnoticed by the brother and sister firefighters across the state and the Nation.
We still remember the 343 and all the others who gave so much in the past and to those who will give so much in the future.
So, again this year as we started our day at the firehouse on 9/11/09, we changed to a new flag on our pole. With respect we pout our old tattered flag away to be properly disposed of. We raised our new flag to the top of the pole and then lowered it to half-staff in respect and honor.
This poem entitled, “True Heroes,” written by Kelley Evans, 17, of Port Orchard, Wash., was read that day:
They see the terrorized faces
And feel the heat first hand
The horror now surrounds them
In the destruction of our land
Their work is never ceasing
They search into the night
Mountains of rubble and
sadness
But they don’t give up the fight
The fight to bring some closure
To the loved ones left behind
To help begin their healing
And bring comfort to the minds
The comfort that is needed
In the awful time of grief
Still trying to understand
As we watch in disbelief
These firemen and search crews
To whom many owe their lives
Are the brave souls still searching
For who may have survived
Risking their own lives at every moment
In what they call “Ground Zero”
These men, women, husbands and wives
Each a true American hero
True heroes that deserve our thoughts
Our caring prayers and love
Their courage and
unselfishness
Reach to the heavens above
And above we look into the clouds
Where smoke still fills the sky
Yet we are reminded of our greatness
To see the stars and stripes fly high
During that blue cloudless day, just outside my office window, our new flag whipped in a light breeze in all its glory. As corny as it may sound to some, it was and is a beautiful sight to see.
We the members of the Selah Fire Department are very fortunate to have never lost one of our own in the line of duty. But I know that if one of us does, it will be to save a savable life, not with abandon but with proper training and calculated risk.
The members of the Selah Fire Department and Yakima County Fire District #2 thank you for your support through the years and appreciate your support in the future.
Thank you.
Editor’s note: Jerry Davis is the Fire Chief at the Selah Fire Department.