I know I'm repeating a theme, but: every year, the NYFD has a contingent of 343 firefighters, each carrying a flag for one of those who died at the WTC in 2001. I remember the first year, when it was still so raw, and many of them were carrying pictures of those who had died. And on the sidelines, there was just silence and tears. They are heroes.
365/2011
Yes, they are. I live in a very "cops and firefighters" part of town.....one guy lived around the block from me. Left a widow and TEN young children. I'm glad this tribute continues as part of the parade.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a cops & firefighters neighborhood on Staten Island. My brothers went to Monsignor Farrell High School, and they were both in finance. They lost literally over a dozen friends and associates. My father died that November. He'd been involved in the Boy Scouts, and a lot of those kids grew up to be firefighters. They came to his wake fresh from funerals and from digging at the site. When this contingent goes by, all the revelry stops and there's respect for that devastating loss--even now, nearly 10 years later.
ReplyDeleteHeroes, everyone of them.
ReplyDeleteTrue heroes . . . a very touching image.
ReplyDeleteWell captured colorful and bittersweet
ReplyDeleteWe should never forget their sacrifice. Very emotional image.
ReplyDeleteI love the raw emotion you captured here!
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