Remembering 9/11

By Steve Cassidy
President, UFA Local 94

Five years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our nation, it’s important to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, and the days, weeks and months that followed.

New York’s Bravest will never forget the outpouring of support we received from our brothers and sisters throughout North America. To all of the members of the IAFF who traveled to New York and searched for victims, attended the hundreds of FDNY funerals and memorials or aided the IAFF in its efforts, the fire fighters of New York City say, “Thank you.”

On the fifth anniversary of that tragic day, we are reminded of the great loss and sorrow felt by our nation. We remember our friends and family who gave of themselves so others could live. We will never forget them. However, we owe it to their memory to carry on the tradition of valor and selflessness that was so proudly displayed to the world on 9/11.

On June 10, 2006, to mark the 4th anniversary of the last day of recovery operations at the World Trade Center site, the FDNY dedicated a memorial to the 343 active-duty members who lost their lives on 9/11.

This living, breathing memorial sits across from where the Twin Towers once stood, on the façade of FDNY’s “Ten House,” home to Engine Company 10 and Ladder Company 10. These units were among the first to respond to the World Trade Center when the first plane struck. Although damaged in the collapse, this firehouse served as a command post for the rescue and recovery operations in the months that followed.

The 56-foot by 6-foot bronze bas-relief sculpture tells the unfolding history of 9/11. It depicts the towers on fire and members of the FDNY conducting rescue operations. This memorial was created through the generous efforts of the law firm Holland & Knight, whose offices sit across from the World Trade Center.

This magnificent project was led by retiring Assistant Chief Harry Meyers, FDNY Manhattan Borough Commander. Emblazoned across the length of the memorial reads, “Dedicated to those who fell and those who carry on. May we never forget.”.

While construction on a memorial for all of the victims of 9/11 has yet to produce any results, it is comforting to the fire fighters of New York City to have a fitting tribute to the heroes we lost that tragic day.

Current proposals for the World Trade Center memorial list fire fighters in a random fashion with no distinction. Fire fighters and other first responders operated and died that day as a result of the worst terrorist attack on American soil and should be memorialized as they performed their duties that day -- by division, battalion, unit and rank, and with their badge numbers listed alongside their name.

Their acts of heroism on 9/11 uplifted the nation, as 343 members of the FDNY gave their lives, effectuating the largest rescue operation in American history -- an estimated 25,000 people were saved.

If memorial organizers refuse to list fire fighters together and move forward with the current plan, I am asking fire fighters across the country to stand with us in our effort to properly memorialize fire fighters and all first responders.

In the days, weeks and months after 9/11, fire fighters, departments and unions from throughout the IAFF came to offer their help and support to our membership. Within the first 48 hours of the attacks, the IAFF – together with Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) Local 94 and Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) Local 854 – established the New York Fire Fighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund to provide immediate and urgent aid to the families of the 343 who lost their lives. This action demonstrated to the widows, children and families that America’s fire fighting community was there for them.

Since that tragic day, the nation has been struck with devastating events, including hurricanes and ravaging wildfires. Following the lead of those who traveled to New York to help us in our time of need, it has been a privilege for the membership of UFA Local 94 to reciprocate the support we received and assist our fellow fire fighters in their toughest of times.

We salute the efforts of General President Harold Schaitberger and his IAFF team who did so much following the attacks. In this post 9/11 world, the pressure on fire fighters to defend our nation domestically has intensified greatly. Our cities and towns now look to fire fighters as their first line of defense for threats from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism. These new responsibilities have made our jobs as America’s fire fighters even more dangerous.