lc_story266.xml

lc_story266.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-01-19

I work for the Waukegan (Illinois)Fire Dept. We had just started our 24 hour shift. The TV was on in the kitchen and someone said a plane flew into a building. We watched the early news and then began our morning duties. About5 minutes later someone said another plane flew into another building. I said "that isn't funny". He then said he wasn't kidding. At that point I knew some fellow firefighters were going to have a very long, hard day but I had no idea. I didn't want to think about it, but I knew 2 planes were not an accident. I am also a bomb technician and we started gathering all our equipment and making sure we had everything set for whatever else might come. It was a long, weird day. The Towers fell and it was all surreal. No one cried; it was just shock.
The next day I went home. Everything was so quiet. No planes flying, nothing.
I stood in my backyard and cried for all that was lost that day and I still do whenever I think about it.
The anger and frustration about not being able to do anything is maddening.
My husband and I flew to New York for 1 1/2 days the first week in November. The Fire Dept of New York did not need any technical help. They needed firefighters from around the country to attend the fallen firefighters funerals. There were so many going on, there weren't enough NY firefighters to attend them all. We went to 4- Michael Boyle, David Arce, John Chipura and Michael Russo. It was an honor to attend their services. God bless them and their familes.
I now stand no matter what I am doing when I hear the National Anthem being played. I reflect on those lost on that day and their families. I pray for everyone.

The feeling of the day. It felt "suspended"; nothing was real. No one was afraid or even angry at that point. We were stunned. I didn't care for all the "unknowns"- who did this, how many brother firefighters were lost, how many civilians were killed, etc.

There are always going to be those who would just forget it, ignore it or pretend it never happened. Those people should be ashamed of themselves.
I think the events have shown people that freedom isn't free and police, military, and firefighters don't have an average day sometimes.
I don't fear death. God has a purpose in mind for all of us.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13