On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was waking up with my wife when she turned on the TV I heard that there had been an airplane that crashed in to the World Trade center and that it was un determined at that time if is was deliberate. After watching the terror unfold, My wife and I rushed to our Firehouse, Grasinville Volunteer Fire Department. We were there with about five other members. We started making calls to see if we could help in any way, even if it was standing by at a station which had responded to the DC or PA sites. We stayed there for the majority of the day and days to come. We had all signed a list to be dispatched to any location which we were needed for any length of time. I had recently lost mt job so I has plenty of time to do my part if required. Our station was not called upon but we received a letter thanking us, us being the members who signed the list, for volunteering our time and services.

A few days after September 11, Our station had a candle light service at our station which members of the public were invited and attended.

On the 1 year anniversary, I helped to organize a second candle light memorial. I came up with the idea of having four firefighters carrying an American Flag down the main street from about a half mile away. When we performed this, we were lead by our Brush truck with lights but no sirens. The members holding the flag included one officer in dress uniform, one firefighter in our Black turnout gear, a member of our ladies Auxilary in dress uniform, and a junior member in dress uniform. We were followed by our Engine 26, Quint Truck 2 and our Tanker 2, all with lights but no sirens. As we walked down Main Street people came from their homes some going back in and returning with candles others clapping after we passed and other with military back ground were saluting others followed us to the firehouse. Upon our arrival others had already gathered awiating our arival. We then raised the flag to half mast and began our candle light service.

As a Volunteer Firefighter and a Patriotic American, I felt connected to this day and it’s events. And like many others I will never forget and will reflect on the lives lost on this day as well as the lives lost in our military since September 11, 2001.

To this day many firefighter in my department still wear symbols of Sept. 11, 2001 on their gear.

God Bless the USA and our soldiers!