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'Sea of Blue' Flows in Downtown Washington
LON SLEPICKA, HEATHER CASPI and TIFFANI ALEXANDER
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Procession of Honor leading family members and firefighters to the MCI Center for this year's National Tribute to the firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2001, truly was a "Sea of Blue." Thousands of firefighters lined the route from Constitution Avenue and 10th Street up to the MCI Center. Crowds gathered on the sidewalks to watch as bus loads of surviving family members passed under the ladder arches, followed by a seemingly-endless procession of honor guards and bag pipers. "This is going to be a once in a lifetime event," said Engineer Anthony Driscoll of the North Charleston, S.C. Fire Department. "It's a big sea of firemen, and this is the only time it will be held in DC. It's a really awesome event."
The North Charleston firefighters have been attending the yearly memorial since 1993. "No matter who you are this just brings tears to your eyes," Driscoll said. Fire Prevention Officer Paul Sandifer of the Bamberg, SC Fire Department said this was his first time at the annual event. "It's such a thrill when you go out from a small town and meet firefighters from New York and Washington," he said. "It's been worth the 5 or 600 miles we traveled." Many of those in the procession came especially in memory of fallen firefighters from their own departments. A huge contingent came from FDNY. Firefighter Danny Ward of 96 Engine in the Bronx said they came to pay their respects to all of the firefighters who have been killed, as well as those from FDNY. "It's the least we could do," he said. But the many memorials are starting to wear on the firefighters, he said. "It's been non-stop with the funerals and memorial services," Ward said. "The guys are burnt out." Captain Jim Curran of FDNY Ladder 15, which lost 14 people, said they also came to show their support for the families. "It does help," he said. "It brings you some kind of closure."
Several firefighters came from the Woodbury, NJ Fire Department, which responded on mutual aid last year to the fire that claimed Firefighter Jim Heenan of the Verga Fire and Rescue Company in NJ. Heenan was attempting a rescue when he fell into a basement and sustained fatal burns. Chief Drew Bain said this was his department's first time at the annual memorial. "It's more for the families," he said, "but it really gives us a chance to come and pay our respects." Bain said he was pleased with the number of firefighters and family members that came out for the event. "I'm surprised there weren't more but it's been a nice turnout," he said. The Woodbury firefighters also saw the loss of several firefighters during a mutual aid call in July 2002. The three firefighters, from the Gloucester City and Mt. Ephraim fire departments, will not be recognized until next year's ceremony, but their loss had a major impact on the Woodbury firefighters. Bain said he helped arrange the funeral services for those firefighters. A large contingent of firefighters from Farmington, New Mexico were in a similar situation. They came especially in memory of several FDNY firefighters they had known through firefighter training courses, but were also moved to attended the memorial service because of the recent death of nearby Roswell, New Mexico's Fire Chief Louis Jones. Jones sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head from a burn victim he was trying to assist at a house explosion. He died in March 2002 and will be recognized at next year's memorial. The Farmington firefighters said that in addition to paying their respects, they enjoyed talking with other firefighters from around the country and showing the sense of brotherhood in the fire service. They said about 25 percent of the people they've run into this weekend in DC have been other firefighters. "It's amazing out here," said Firefighter Mike Stahl. "You get to meet everybody from everywhere and they all have the same mentality." Rural Coordinator Steve McClintock of the Clark County, Nevada Fire Department came with the chief of one of the volunteer fire departments under his jurisdiction, the Cal-Nev-Ari VFD. In October 2001 they lost Firefighter Robert Marsh, 78, who died while responding to a motor vehicle accident. Eight of Marsh's family members also came to the memorial service. "I think it's really overwhelming," McClintock said of the service. "The people that put on this event and the volunteers that helped should be commended. I don't know how you'd ever thank them."
Other firefighters in the Sea of Blue included six from the St. George Fire Department of Baton Rouge, La. They said they've wanted to come in the past and made it a point this year. "It's the least we can do," said Firefighter Jason Turner. "It shows how big this family really is and what support they really have." Communications Officer Shannon Lane said, "It brings us closer with the other departments, being here for one common cause." The group was excited to be trading patches with other fire departments, and meeting firefighters from as far away as Anchorage, Alaska. "It's really good to see the outpouring of the spirit, everybody coming together to honor those we lost last year," said Battalion Chief Cynthia O'Neal of Pasco County, FL Fire Rescue. "Everybody's just warm and friendly, and has the same feelings." Thirteen members of the Salt Lake City Fire Department decided this year to attend the NFFF weekend memorial service. They have normally gone to the IAFF annual service in Colorado Springs but according to firefighter Brady George, "it is great to honor our own union brothers but this year we wanted to honor all of our fallen brothers." A retired D.C. firefighter, acting as a marshal for the event, said that although firefighters from around the country have been getting to know each other over the memorial weekend, they don't often talk about 9/11. "It's not forgotten," said retired firefighter A.D. Johnson. "They just tend to talk about everyday things."
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