Well over a year a year ago, on a hot day in July, I found myself at Ground Zero.
There were more than a few moments that day that have set a number of things in motion that continue to reverberate in my life even to today. No joke. It was a trip of a few hours in the city, but it was a very raw few hours of intense emotions…
I was fortunate enough to visit the 9/11 Memorial on this day, and it was a very vivid reminder of the horrendous events of that day that also continue to reverberate for so many even until this very moment. I will say that last year, I spent a lot of time visiting a number of important and memorable sites with my sons, with my partner in crime, and on a few occasions – by myself – by design. The year was filled with a number of learnings surrounding 9/11 and the subsequent sacrifices that so many have made since with zero expectation of recognition or of payback.
I have had the good fortune of being raised in a family that has a tradition of serving in the armed forces, and a strong upbringing of being appreciative of those that have served. What I have learned more recently, especially since moving to Texas, is that there is much to celebrate with our first responders and their familial sacrifices. I have had the opportunity to work with a few former DPD and other ‘former’ first responders. One guy in particular educated me with some incredibly brave stories and also some amazingly funny stories from his time in working corrections down here. I always felt like he had my back when we worked together – either you are trustworthy or not, and I am convinced that many that do this sort of work – are just wired with integrity and a need to do the right thing. Tough to explain unless you have spent some time with folks in the services.
In addition, I have been blessed to visit a few fire houses over the past year where the teams are unbelievably gracious. From visiting the Barre City firehouse a day after that visit to Ground Zero to the most recent visit in Galveston, TX – I have ALWAYS been greeted with an incredible warmth from the team on shift. If I have my sons with me, it goes to a whole different level. It is about paying respect to people that will never seek it, and many days probably do not expect it. These are the people in this country that deserve our thanks.
In addition, I have learned a ton about emergency responders, hospitals, and what it takes to pursue saving someone’s life – even when it looks like all hope is lost. These are true professionals that many of us do not even think of when we consider those that serve. The police officers and the fire fighters – those are the careers that get the YouTube spoof videos, amirite? What about the medic in the field that is doing compressions in the back of that ambulance as it races through crazy traffic at 4pm on a bad day in the rain? Turns out, I’m in the flight path for one of those medical helicopter / ‘med flight’ units – now I cannot avoid hearing it when they fly over. I hear those that ride those things are incredibly bad ass pros that save more lives than they lose. Yet, how many of us even know when those folks are risking their own lives in a helicopter, likely in rocky winds, to handle someone that is critical and dying? Speaking to a very personal situation last April, I got to witness first hand in an exceptionally scary moment how this community rallies to help and save a life. I am still just dumbfounded and humbled by the whole thing, and for many of you on Facebook – you saw just a glimpse of what really happened. Very scary times.
Tying it back to 9-11 for a moment and that Memorial. A couple of those planes flew from Logan Airport that day, and I remember distinctly calling a brother of mine from college that morning after the second plane hit – begging him not to go downtown to work in NYC. The bastard hung up on me, luckily I can joke with him about it today… There are people that I know indirectly that died that day. They worked in the towers. I remember calling around that day checking around with many friends and family in the Boston area to make sure people were safe. AOL Instant Messenger was a very helpful thing that morning. It was a very, very scary few hours in Boston as so many rumors were flying around that planes and bombs were going off in the Boston area…
I remember asking my father that night if the world was coming to an end. He has seen some shit. He told me to get a good night’s sleep, and that the sun will rise tomorrow.
He was right.
I thought it was personal, given so many things that happened up in the Boston and NYC regions during that timeframe. Friends of friends ended up getting deployed to the Middle East shortly thereafter. Lots in play.
It took me to come to Texas to truly appreciate the impact that it has had on the first responder community and on the entire country. I include the nurses, the doctors, the medics, the fire fighters, the police officers, the maritime security personnel that day and today too – that responded as part of their calling. Traveling back to NYC last July with Texas in my heart, I was able to witness first hand what the NYC and New Jersey teams were up against, albeit in a memorialized setting – no words.
Just awe.
Now as so many of us go back and hopefully take a moment to remember yet another year since that day, maybe take a twist with this day and for the next year…
Tip your hat to the police officer that is watching over you at the next football game, they do notice.
Stop your damn car and pullover for the woman driving that ladder truck as they are racing to a scene.
Slow down and move over when you see an ambulance parked on the side of the road.
Hell, drop by the precinct or the station with a little gift or just an expression of genuine thanks – you would not believe the reception you will receive.
Too many first responders died that day, and so many more have perished after racing down to Ground Zero to save their brothers and sisters. The subsequent carnage of those that attempted to save their fallen comrades is a story largely unknown to many, and it is just as much of a tragedy as those that were caught up in the falling towers even as the NYFD raced upwards – likely knowing they had a slim chance of making it out of those towers.
Guess what, you are living your life even as the local FD, PD, and so many other folks charged with keeping our way of life safe and sound – remain vigilant and ever professional. I can state FOR A FACT – I have been defaulting in my appreciation that these folks are doing it as a job, rather so many are doing it as a calling. I am ashamed frankly to have taken the sacrifice for granted for so many years.
Now when you see me wearing a Barre FD shirt or a Boston Strong FD shirt or a hat from a local unit – you know why.
It is out of respect and for appreciation for their daily sacrifice, and the silent professionalism that goes unnoticed until they race into saving lives even while putting their own at risk – for nothing more or less than the guy or gal that serves alongside them.
God bless the men and women of this country that serve and protect.
Much respect and love. You know who you are.