As 9-11-04 approaches, we remember it as the anniversary of the murders of thousands of Americans. But for the purpose of what we do as firefighters, the 343 members of the FDNY are the ones we focus on.
Things in America look very different today. In some cases, everything is back to "normal" which often means that what happened on 9-11 is a distant and forgotten memory. And that's a shame. In other cases, some communities and fire departments have not forgotten, and won't.
While many firefighters and fire departments have made a serious effort to make sure that their community does not forget, so many have not. While some groups fight to insure that appropriate respect and honor is present at the WTC site, they remain a small group.
(For example, go to: http://www.911wvfa.org/ and check out the 9-11 Widows Victims and Families Association)
Many communities have memorials dedicated to those lost on 9-11-01. So many more do not. While several communities and fire departments have activities planned for Saturday, September 11, 2004, so many more do not. Many firefighters have simply forgotten.
And while some may claim it's a "geographical" issue, that simply is not true. There are memorials in large cities such as NYC, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. And there are beautiful memorial in small cities like Bottineau, ND, Ephrata, PA and Loveland, Ohio. It doesn't matter the size. It matters about spirit, morale and patriotism.
Last year, Firehouse.com did two polls which had upsetting results. The majority of fire departments responding (63%) had nothing planned (moment of silence, display, etc.). The survey on the site received over 5,400 responses. The second part showed about the same had no permanent type of community memorial to those lost on 9-11.
We are quick to whine and bitch that the politicians have forgotten us. We are quick to get annoyed when the public doesn't support us and we are fast to react when some bosses don't take care of us. But what about "us" forgetting "us"? We all need to take action-locally-this year.
Is it too late? Never.
Get all of your firefighters together. Page them, call them or whatever it takes. You know and I know that your fire department has no trouble spreading gossip. So use those same means to do some good this time. Get everyone in on a plan now to remember what 9-11-01 felt like, and have some sort of memorial on 9-11-04 in your community. Notify the media, the public and private schools, the scouts, the service clubs, clergy, etc, and pack your firehouse for a memorial service on Saturday, September 11, 2004.
And, it is a Saturday. No whiny