9/11 Tribute Edition
Page 158, Fire News, September 2021
From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor
I Will Never Forget I can remember going into work on September 11, 2001. I was a teacher for the Community of Lynbrook, as I always called it. As I was driving, I heard a traffic report saying to stay away from lower Manhattan. I didn’t pay attention until the news commentator said, “It is believed that a small airplane crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers.” By the time I got to work, everyone knew that an airliner hit the North Tower. As many of us continued to watch the news, 17 minutes later at 9:03 a.m., the World Trade Center’s South Tower was hit by United Airlines Flight 175. Little did we know our lives were changed forever. My school immediately went into an emergency mode. The TVs were turned off and we tried to go on with a normal day. It wasn't long before a few parents started to show up at the school to bring their children home. Yes, I was glad when my day was
over so that I could run home to my firehouse in Terryville. When I arrived home, I immediately reported to my firehouse, only to find every member watching the news and discussing plans in case we were called into NYC. Our ladder truck eventually responded into Queens and our rescue truck responded to the South Street Seaport to provide lighting for the area. Every member wanted to assist in the operation, but in fact, like so many volunteer firefighters, the majority had to stay back to protect the community that we served. No one knew if the attack was over. As the weeks, month and years passed on, we learned that 2,753 individuals were killed at the WTC on September 11. As of 2021, the remains of 1,647 (60 percent) of those individuals have been identified. The remains of 1,106 individuals (40 percent) remain unidentified. So many of us attended funeral services to show support for our fallen members and their families. As we stood with hundreds and even thousands of responders, we realized that we were part of something monumental. Twenty years later and for years to come, we understand what it means to be part of the brotherhood of first responders. As sickness and diseases like cancer became part of the payback for responding to find our fallen members, I am thankful that so many of you continue to serve and remain committed to supporting those members who became sick and left us after serving on September 11, 2001. We must continue to support all first responders in their time of need as they battle fatal illnesses and live with post traumatic stress. Once again, please, remember to help the many organizations like the Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Terry Farrell Firefighters Foundation, the FealGood Fund, the Ray Pfeifer Fund, the Cancer Support Network, the Counseling Service Unit of the FDNY and other organizations. The Johnny Mac Foundation coined the phrase, “Whatever it takes.” I remind you to look into and support the organizations that support us and do “whatever it takes” to help those in need. Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo who was lost on Black Sunday, coined a phrase. “Are you on the job, or into the job?” Join the thousand of responders who are into the job and stand with all fallen responders and their families. I will never forget! Will you? - Dennis
