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Vol. 12, No. 46, Tuesday September 12, 2017 www.LamontLeader.com
Honouring 9/11 firefighters Beginnings of Heroes in the Sky promotion in Lamont began with American tragedy KERRY ANDERSON "When I was at Indianapolis in training last year, I got to sit down with some actual 9/11 firefighters who survived the Twin Towers (World Trade Center terrorist disasters in New York City)," said Lamont Heroes in the Sky organizer Lt. Andrew McDonald. "When you're with those guys, you just listen - you don't speak. What are you going to add to the conversation when those guys are talking?" McDonald said one of the 9/11 firemen told him either coming down or going up he passed his own son who was a firefighter, and that was the last time he saw him. He was hit by some debris and was killed. "He told us," said McDonald, "that being a firefighter is so much about luck and inches." The Lamont fireman added, every firefighter understands that just being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be a matter of life or death. Honouring the heroes of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks which resulted in the destruction of two New York skyscrapers which were once the tallest buildings in the world, is what started the Lamont Heroes in the Sky day. "A lot of firefighters died that day trying to save people," he stated. "We used to camp out on top of a building in honour of the 9/11 firefighters who lost their lives on that day," said Lt. McDonald. Now the fire department in Lamont tries to just have a fun but educational day for the public. Saturday's Heroes in the Sky day was held at the Lamont County administration building, where the parking lot was large enough for the free barbecue, bouncy house, dunk tank, demonstrations and people - lots and lots of people. Lt. McDonald said traditionally one of the most popular and interesting events is the extrication demonstration, and the Bruderheim Fire Department once again handled those chores for the Lamont Department. "They took a mini van and turned it into a convertible," said McDonald. "We're busy with barbecuing and other jobs so it is really nice of them to come out and do it for us." As well there was a bouncy house for the kids, a
dunk tank featuring firemen, teachers and even a councillor. "We never have any expectation for raising money," he stated, as the entire day is free of charge to the public. "We just ask for donations." Any funds raised goes toward the Lamont Fire
Department equipment fund and also advanced training. "People told us we could never make any money doing it this way, but people are so generous that we do tend to make some money afterall."
SYLVIA MCDONALD PHOTO
Lamont fireman Andrew McDonald (right) explains the handiwork of the Bruderheim Fire Department as they extricate the top of a mini-van to the amazement of the crowd at the Heroes in the Sky day held in the parking lot of the Lamont County administration building on Saturday in Lamont.