I wish to express the deepest thanks for the bravest men and women in NYC -
the police, firefighters, EMTs and other emergency personnel who ran into the burning
towers of the World Trade Center to save the lives of the people trapped inside.
To save us. To save me.
One of my cousins married a cop in the suburbs of Chicago. It was so easy for me to imagine
that all of this was happening at the Sears Tower instead of the WTC, and I could almost see
Mike go running into the tower to see who he could help. Because he would. Because he's a cop.
And that's what cops do - they protect us. Every cop in the city was at the WTC in nothing flat.
Cops in uniform. Cops in plain clothes. Cops with their badges dangling from gaudy gold necklaces
in front of their Knicks jerseys. Cops who had retired years ago, and reported for duty again.
Cops who wouldn't go home again.
Mike and Lori have two boys at home...I wonder if the boys know that some day their dad
just might not come home. Boys and girls all over NY and the whole tri-state area will have a long
time to come to grips with that. Know this kids: your moms and dads did a whole lifetime's
worth of good in that single day. I, and about 15,000 other people who got out alive, am proof of that.
The International Police Association - just one of many fellowships of police worldwide.
This is their tribute to their brothers and sisters who fell with the towers on Sept. 11th, 2001.
The firefighters were everywhere...they were running up stairs with oxygen tanks on their backs
and equipment in their hands. They were prepared, as they always are, to do whatever it took
to get innocent people out of harm's way, and to stop the flames from causing more damage
and taking more lives than they already had. This is what they do. This is what they always do -
they take on the impossible to save the hopelessly lost, and firefighters around the world have been
doing it for as long as we could pump water.
I don't honestly know who the "chief" was that I saw in the stairwell. I don't have any idea if any
of them in that group got back out. But I can tell you one thing: we were damned glad to see them.
And firefighters everywhere can be damned proud of them.
The International Association of Firefighters. Some of the bravest men and women in the world.
This is their relief fund for the tragedy - I believe the funds will help injured firefighters and the
families of those who were lost:
You know, it just now dawned on me that Sept. 11th is "911"
When we reached the first floor, and exited the stairwell to the plaza level of the WTC, there were
people directing the injured to a triage area, teeming with emergency medical personnel.
I think I saw every ambulance in the tri-state area go screaming down the street towards the towers
once outside. Once the injured get out of the building, aided by friends, police, or firefighters, these
people took over and made sure that they didn't just get out of the building - but that they survived.
A great many EMTs, I am sure, had also rushed into the towers themselves to assist. A great many
people were carried out in the arms of EMTs, alongside their police and firefighter brothers and sisters.
I can't even imagine what these folks must have seen...or what they went through to see it.
EMTs everywhere are like guardian angels to us all - they serve with valor and courage,
and give hope to those who have none.
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
EMT Oath
Be it pledged as an Emergency Medical Technician, I will honor the physical and judicial laws of God and man. I will follow that regimen which, according to my ability and judgement, I consider for the benefit of patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, nor shall I suggest any such counsel.Into whatever homes I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of only the sick and injured, never revealing what I see or hear in the lives of men unless required by law.
I shall also share my medical knowledge with those who may benefit from what I have learned. I will serve unselfishly and continuously in order to help make a better world for all mankind.
While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life, and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. Should I trespass or violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot.
So help me God.
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