A day for our firefighters
YESTERDAY was a special day for firefighters around the world.
It was International Firefighters’ Day.
The day was one of reflection, embracing the important role firefighters play in our lives.
Always in the background until a fire threatens to engulf a building, or threatens lives, the role of firefighters received massive international coverage on September 11, 2001, when the Twin Towers in New York crashed to the ground after being hit by aircraft.
It was a day that would forever be etched on the minds of millions of people around the world.
It left an indelible impression on the minds of the masses, and thousands will remember exactly what they did when they heard the news! That was how powerful, and shocking the news was when it swept across the world.
It was a catastrophic event of mega proportions! For people who saw the aircraft crash into the towers, and then see them crumble, they would have a lasting memory of the event, forever knowing exactly where they were that day. The event stopped the world, leaving millions of people affected emotionally.
Nearly 3000 people perished that day when two aircraft crashed into the towers.
Over the years, New York has been kind on their memories.
The memorial on Ground Zero stands as a reminder of the horrific scenes that left the world in shock. In the debris rose a wave of emotions that struck the heart of millions of people around the globe.
The names of the victims are etched on stone around the reflecting pools that now sit on Ground Zero in place of the collapsed towers.
Among them are the names of more than 400 first responders, including firefighters.
As people rushed to get out of the burning towers that fateful day, brave responders were heading in to search for survivors.
They upheld their oath as first responders, and placed the life of their fellow man and woman on a very high pedestal.
Many firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice that day.
We tend to take a lot of things for granted in life today.
As we reflect on this moment in history, we are reminded that firefighters also have families. They each have values and hopes and aspirations.
We tend to take their roles for granted.
Yet they provide a service that is important for us. They are in the background always. But they are first responders, at burning structures, accident sites, and whenever their special skills are required.
Terror reigned on 9-11 but life goes on in lower Manhattan.
On the homefront, our firefighters may be in the background, silently going about doing their important work. They are relevant! They are an important part of our development as a nation.
We acknowledge them!