Remembering 9/11

[FDNY]

Eighteen years is a long time, but not in respect to 9/11 as that day  remembered by Americans seems like recent memory.   As a former NYC firefighter my memory is reinforced everyday.  Seeing the children of friends lost that day, now grown up, hearing the hoarseness in the voices of friends who now have permanent respiratory illnesses, and talking to those who are continuing rounds of chemo therapy and radiation, 9/11 is present in daily lives of so many firefighters and police officers.

Remembering the days after 9/11 there was a shower of kindness from around the world.  Firehouses were decorated with flowers, messages, and photos.  People brought food with tears in their eyes, and hugs were all around us, there were a lot of hugs.  Firefighters let it be known to the wives and children of those lost that they now have many surrogate fathers in the firehouse who will always be there for them.  This continues to this day as we've watched the children grow up, go to college, and get married.  We're still there for them.

Please keep all those lost and their families in your prayers, they still need it more than ever.

Never Forget,

Bill

[Elrod]

                                   Bill said it....Thanks Bill.

                                                                             

[BLACK BART]

We will keep you, those lost, those not, and those still struggling, in our prayers, Bill.  Thanks so much for all that you and they did.

And we won't forget...

[Possi]

Thanks, Bill... for who you are.  Praying always.