One Firefighter Family's

The authors appreciate the privilege to share with Firehouse® readers our story about one firefighter family’s “diplomat of retribution.”

Start of a Beautiful Day

The morning began as the start of a well-deserved 48 hours off, when the primary author completed a busy 24-hour shift. The plan for that morning was typical of many firefighters after spending a long shift away from home: take my daughter, Rebecca, to school; take the trash out to the curb; read my mail; and have breakfast with my wife, Cathy. We left the house around 8:30 A.M. and drove the mile to IHOP for pancakes. We had no way of knowing that when we returned home that morning our world, our country and our family would be forever changed. The date was Sept. 11, 2001.

On returning home, Cathy turned on the TV and we both stood in silence as we viewed the image of one of the World Trade Center towers on fire. I remember remarking, “What movie is this?” Cathy replied, “CNN!”

As we watched, a second plane appeared and slammed into the adjacent trade tower. We watched with the world as an apocalyptic scene of unimaginable horror, courage and despair filled the screen. The horror continued as CNN switched to scenes of the Pentagon burning, and reported “the White House and Capitol were being evacuated because a fourth airplane was being tracked on course for Washington. Military fighters were being scrambled for combat air patrols around the country.” It was too much for us to comprehend how much our world had just changed.

The Citadel

Our son, Bobby, was a freshman, or “Knob,” at The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina. There are few experiences equal to the challenge of attending this institution of military bearing and education. Some of the nation’s most decorated heroes and community leaders are graduates. Bobby sought out The Citadel to prepare for a career in public safety.

One aspect of Knob life is restricted privileges for making telephone calls and watching TV, but Bobby called on 9/11: “Hi Mom and Dad! Classes have been canceled today, and we’re able to watch the news on CNN. Some cadets are in the military reserves and have already been recalled to active duty. Other cadets have been released to go home since their parents work at the Pentagon. The entire 2,000 members of the Corps of Cadets are lining up to donate blood. Our company commanders have ordered us to call our parents to reassure them. I feel guilty being in college while my country is being attacked. I love ya’ll!”

Despite the horror and terror of 9/11, people had to make an effort to resume some normalcy in their lives. For us, like many firefighter families, that effort involved work, school, car repairs, bills, vacations, holidays, etc. During Christmas Break 2001, Bobby had almost a month of leave from The Citadel. It’s always a fantastic holiday occasion when family and friends can spend quality time together.

What we didn’t know was that Bobby was spending the Christmas break visiting the local Marine recruiter. Bobby had decided he wanted to serve his country instead of study for college.

College Freshman to Marine

A few months later, Bobby quit The Citadel and reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. After 16 months of training completing boot camp, the School of Infantry and specialized anti-terrorism training, Bobby was a lance corporal deployed to Afghanistan. His specialization is 0311, Rifleman, or as Bobby prefers, “Grunt.”

Bobby’s unit is assigned to combat operations in Afghanistan. There are constant patrols in his area of operations, and harassing small-arms and mortar rounds are regular occurrences. Our family is always humbled when Bobby gets the opportunity to telephone home. The enthusiasm and respect he has for the Marine Corps and his mission are infectious: “I’m safe,” he reported in one call. “It’s been busy, but I can’t talk about it, so just monitor the news and you’ll know what I’ve been up to. A couple of Marines were wounded and have returned to the States for follow-up medical care. I’m still glad I joined the Marines because I’m making a difference!”

While listening to Bobby’s comments, we can’t help but reflect upon our own daily routines and put things into perspective: We sleep in warm beds with clean sheets, our meals are cooked in an oven instead of warmed by a chemical heat pack, and when we walk outside we do not have to wear body armor. While thankfully physical attacks against firefighters are rare, Marines are always on guard for the next assault.

Bobby is scheduled to rotate home to his Marine Camp this summer. He’ll get a few weeks of well-deserved leave, then attend additional specialized infantry training. Bobby anticipates deployment again sometime in 2005. For our family, it’ll be another long year of worry and admiration of Bobby’s decision to serve his country instead of study for college. We take great comfort and pride every time we walk by Bobby’s room at home, and see the poster hanging over his bed: “There are some things diplomacy can achieve. For everything else, there’s the United States Marine Corps!”

This article is dedicated in memory and honor for all of the men and women who are deployed and support this international war against terrorism. Sadly, far too many people have paid and will pay the ultimate sacrifice defeating terrorism. It’s important to recognize that every citizen of Earth is threatened by the presence of weapons of mass destruction and people with the passion to employ them against humanity. The fire service must accept the challenge to prepare for future attacks. While our country’s Marines, sailors and soldiers are activity engaging the terrorists, they are counting on firefighters to protect their families. They can’t fail us – and we can’t fail.