Ten years ago a bunch of ignorant savages attacked our nation and killed thousands of innocent people. In that same instant, 343 of our brother firefighters were taken from us. In the wake of that terrible tragedy, a massive wave of patriotism rose up from an outraged American Citizenry and washed across the landscape of our great nation.
American flags were everywhere to be seen. We flew them from our homes and our fire stations. They were placed at every bridge crossing for all to see. In the fire service, we attached them to our fire vehicles and flew them proudly to show our support for the nation. However, like all waves, the power of the force to show our patriotism began to weaken and over time we saw less and less flying of the American Flag from our fire vehicles.
My friends, we are about to pause and honor the memory of those folks who were taken from us, so tragically, ten years ago. Think about that. Ten years have passed since we witnessed the bravery and the tragedy of our Brothers in New York City. How many times has the world gone round since then? Yet, our support for the departed seems to have diminished over time.
Let me issue a call for you all to come back to the spirit which we showed then ten years ago. Let me ask you to consider the flying of the flag from your apparatus as way to honor the sacrifice of the Brothers and remember the extent of the tragedy. Take some time after you read this message to decide on the best way to rekindle the patriotic spirit which we all showed back in 2001.
While I was writing this message to you, I took a moment and ambled out to my front porch to ponder the impact of this message. As I looked out at the American Flag flying from the east side of my porch, I saluted the flag and said a prayer for all who have died in defense of our great nation. As one served in the active and reserve forces of our great nation for more than 36 years, I want you to know that I stand tall for my country.
The war is not over. Despite what the politicians and the media want you to think, there are people out there who want to kill you and me. They want to savage our nation and install an alien culture. I do not know what you are going to do, but as for me, I am going to fly my flag and ask my fire chief to do the same.
That is what I am asking you to do. On the 10th Anniversary of that outrageous attack on our nation, I want the American Flag to once again be standing tall on our fire trucks.
