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The sounds of emergency sirens pierce the air every day, once, twice or more in every community in this nation. With that sound there is action on the part of a special group of people who race into danger while most of us rush out.
It is that group of people we honor today, Sept. 11, 2011 – remembering the hundreds of firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians who lost their lives in an attack against this country. More lives were lost that fatal day than were lost in Pearl Harbor, the Dec. 7, 1941 attack that pushed the United States into World War II.
It is normal, as years pass, for time to ease the trauma that touches our lives. There are times, however, when memories must be refreshed. That is what we do today – we remember the 2,819 people who died on Sept. 11, 2001 and we honor the rescue personnel who lost their lives while trying, bravely and unselfishly, to save others.
Terrorists who forced two jet-fueled planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City caused the death of 343 firefighters and paramedics; 37 Port Authority officers; 23 New York Police Department officers; 1,402 workers in tower one; 614 workers in tower two.
So devastating was the destruction that only 289 bodies were recovered whole. Most were shattered into pieces – 19,858 of which were recovered. It is graphic information, but important to know nonetheless.
Families were grateful for even pieces. They had someone to bury, unlike the 1,717 families – the remains of their loved ones never found.
The hot fires at the World Trade Center burned for 99 days. It is hallowed ground; the final resting place of thousands of people.
The monument that now stands at the site of the World Trade Center may bring them some comfort.
Today, on the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, take a moment, to remember an event that changed the world. And do more. Thank a police officer, thank a firefighter, for whenever the sirens sound, we know they are willing to risk their lives to save ours.
