“We had the little truck that could -- and did.”

That’s what former Woodsboro Fire Chief Micky Fyock says about the mutual aid call to the Pentagon 25 years ago.

They had something no other department in the wider Washington metro area had – a 1955 B-85 open cab Mack ladder truck – that was small enough to get through the Pentagon tunnels.

On Friday, Fyock shared the story of his department’s response with the little truck at a 9/11 ceremony at Camp David.

“It was quite an honor. I never ever believed I’d be invited to Camp David – let alone be the guest speaker!”

There was no need to write anything down. Keeping it to the 10 minutes they requested, would be a challenge as he is widely known for being down-to-earth and telling it like it is.

 “I just told them our story -- how our little volunteer fire company in Frederick County came through.”

Driving down I-270 that morning 25 years ago was strange as the truck and chief’s vehicle were the only ones, except for a tractor-trailer, on the usually busy highway.

"I remember telling the crew we had a very important job. They were depending on us and that's all that mattered. I didn't care if we had to tow it back or bring it back in pieces…I also told them there was going to be a lot of security and not to do anything that was going to get us shot,” he said with a laugh.

They were met by a military official who asked: “How can I help you to help me.”

The late Rob Compton steered the rig through the narrow tunnels and over planks firefighters had placed over supply lines.

Once they reached the courtyard, an abandoned military vehicle prevented them from getting close to the building.

“No problem. Rob was a mechanic. He crawled under it and disabled the transmission. We just pushed it out of our way.”

Through the night, the Woodsboro crew trained a stream to prevent the fire from spreading. It was an eerily quiet operation with only radio transmissions breaking the silence.

Exhausted firefighters, who’d spent Sept. 11 working to control the fire and searching for victims, slept on the body bags placed in the courtyard.

Some firefighters and military personnel inquired about their rig, watched for a while and thanked them for making the trip to assist.

“I saw a man standing, just staring. So, I asked if he was OK. He pointed to where the plane hit and said it was where he worked. When I told him I was glad he got out, he said: ‘No, I was at the dentist. But my co-workers were in there.'”

They sat for a bit on a bench. Then, the man got up and walked away.

That encounter as well as seeing victims amid the wreckage remain with him. 

When they were placed in service, they emerged from the tunnel to a beautiful sunny day.

After admitting they had photographs of their rig operating at the most important mutual aid call, their camera was confiscated.

“They promised to return it. But, of course, they never did.”

The department received a letter from President Bush who thanked them for their work. All who responded are named.

Until Friday, the volunteers who responded under the cover of darkness and performed a vital function were not recognized or included in any functions. You also won’t find the patch from Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Company with others.

Fyock said he was very surprised when he got the invitation about the Camp David ceremony.

“We went through a lot of security to get clearance to get access,” he said, adding his wife, Diane, accompanied him.

In addition to paperwork, they were met off base by a government official and went through several other levels of security.

“The event was held in the hangar used by Marine One…I kept thinking it was such an honor to be there…”

Retired Hagerstown, MD, Fire Chief W. Kyd Dieterich, who now owns Truck 16, also was grateful for the invitation to join the Camp David event.

“It was a little slow on the hills. But we made it,” he said, adding that he and the rig also went through a security check before he drove into the presidential retreat.

Dieterich added it was an honor to attend and show off the unique truck that played an important role at the Pentagon.

“Everything was impressive. They appreciated me bringing the truck.”

Just as it was 25 years ago at the Pentagon, no cameras or cell phones were allowed at the Catoctin Mountain retreat. As of Monday, they were still waiting for official photos. 

Fyock joked that before addressing the crowd, he whispered to the chaplain to pray he would only be up there for 10 minutes. “She said not to worry about that…”

After the ceremony, they, along with firefighters from Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg, who brought their tower to hang a flag, were given a tour of Camp David.

“President Reagan like to ride horses. When he left office, they converted the stables into a fire station.”

When he looks back to the operation 25 years ago, the chief said he couldn’t be prouder how his little volunteer fire company stepped up and made a difference.