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10,000 Remember the Heroes of 2001 in National Service 'Sea' of Thousands of Firefighters, Honor Guards Pay Tribute
LON SLEPICKA, HEATHER CASPI, TIFFANI ALEXANDER, CHRIS HEBERT AND DAVE J. IANNONE
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A sea of thousands of firefighters from across America paid tribute to the 446 firefighters from 32 states killed in the line of duty in 2001 and previous years -- including 347 at the World Trade Center on September 11th -- at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the MCI Center this afternoon. In a hushed MCI Center, Director of the Office of Homeland Security Tom Ridge that some had suggested he had an impossible job. "No," he said. It was firefighters who had the impossible job and they did it "without complaint, without delay and without failure". "Nothing we can say or do can alleviate the loss felt by the family", Ridge said, "but being with other family members who have experienced the same thing might help."
That was the theme for the whole weekend as the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) brought together the families of the fallen firefighters which culminated in a day of marching honor guards and city streets lined with firefighters from across the nation as the buses of family members moved slowly from the hotels to the afternoon service. More than 300 families of those lost participated in the weekend of events, which included today's ceremony and march, a candlelight vigil Saturday night and workshops and counseling sessions for the families. All of the families interviewed said the planning and effort that went into the Weekend was well organized. For Pat Egan who lost her FDNY firefighter son Martin, it was all lovely, but sad. "We knew the truth about why we were coming," she said. "I’ve wanted to come back to Washington for a long time, but not for this." Arnie Roma, who lost his son Keith, a New York Fire Patrol Officer, at the World Trade Center, said the service covered every emotion he had. "One moment I was crying and the next I would be clapping for joy."
Crowd Less than Expected, But Support for Families 'Incredible' With the crowd estimated at 10,000 for Sunday's events, it was far from the 100,000 uniformed personnel that had been called for by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and other fire service organizations. But for organizers and family members, that didn't matter. "[The Weekend] is not for the crowds, its for the families," Foundation Executive Director Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki said. "That's what counts." Event organizers had originally said that only family and departments with line of duty deaths being recognized would be able to attend the event inside the MCI Center, with the remainder of personnel watching on large screens on streets outside the venue. But early Sunday, thousands of tickets were distributed to those participating in the 'Sea of Blue' march. Even then, the 20,000 seat arena was less than half capacity. Several hundred participants in the march returned home before the event, possibly assuming they could not get into the arena, leaving only scattered groups of volunteers outside. Organizers said overall the weekend's events could not have gone smoother. "The weekend, the level of support for the families of our fallen firefighters has never been higher, its just been incredible" Foundation Chairman Hal Bruno said. "The families and firefighters alike have come here to remember and honor the courage of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The Foundation raised more than $3 million to fund the activities of the Weekend, and hundreds of volunteers from across the country acted as family liasons, planners, organizers and support staff. The event was moved from its traditional location at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland due to the significant loss in the fire service family in 2001.
Nearly 7,000 people gathered Saturday evening at the candlelight vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception which was packed to capacity, with several hundred people watching outside on a jumbo video monitor. The Saturday ceremony featured numerous speakers who encouraged the family members to remember their loved ones and to move forward. The spirit of the 446 firefighters who died [in 2001 and four honored for previous years] lives on, in you," said U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland. "Your loss is the nation's loss." A Year of Remembrances Coming to Closure For the families of the FDNY Bravest lost, a year of memorials, funerals and tributes is coming to a symbolic end with the conclusion of this weekend's service and the FDNY Memorial Service less than a week away. "This will be the last [of the services] and most of the families can finally start to move forward," said FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Downey, son of decorated Battalion Chief Raymond Downey, who was lost September 11th. Some 20 members of the Downey family were in attendance. "Its been a long, tough year. Ceremonies are nice and the families appreciate the support and love, but they can take a lot out of you."
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