Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: WyoWoman
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 10:17 PM

My mother, who is 82, said this afternoon that she's never seen so many grown men crying, not even through all of WWII.

The term "hero" is usually overdone, but in this case, there's no other word for it.

I also have a special prayer in my heart for the camera people and reporters who were rushing against the escaping crowds to get the story, get the photo. The media gets slammed enough, but throughout this past week, they've been our eyes and ears on the unfolding of history, and I very much appreciate the tone so many of them have taken. Having been a reporter for many years, I know how impossible it is to get the facts on something as relatively simple as a bad traffic accident involving a handful of people. This tragedy has been and will continue to be a challenge to all of us, and I deeply appreciate the responsible members of the media who are working themselves into exhaustion every day to keep giving us the information we need and want.

Like an old firehouse dog responding to the bell, I've been mentally organizing how I'd cover this thing all week. Almost makes me wish I were back at a newspaper ... almost.

WW

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Fiolar
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 05:37 AM

I watched the funeral of Father Mychal Judge, the chaplin of the NYFD who was killed while adminstering the last rites to a fellow firefighter. I wept bitter tears of grief and sadness as I saw grown men cry. What a world.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 01:53 PM

I saw another cartoon that showed two kids trading cards. One was saying "I'll trade you two Michael Jordans and a Barry Bonds for one New York Firefighter!"

The image of these folks climbing the stairs up into the Trade Center, while everyone else was fleeing down the steps, is powerful. They were ordinary, caring, brave people doing what had to be done in the face of death. If that isn't the definition of true heroism, I don't know what is.

We have a habit of ascribing noble traits and high expectations to actors, athletes and the like, while the real heroes are here among us.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: marty D
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 01:39 PM

I was glad to see this before it dropped off. I will certainly add my name to anything that honors those brave men and women. The horrors that they will have to live with are unimaginable.

So many replies to 'flamer' threads and so few to ones like this, are disconcerting.

martin Dawson

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: SharonA
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 06:57 PM

Firefighters, police, EMT's, hospital personnel... heroes all. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 05:37 PM

Thanks to all those working the mess in NYC. Thank God for their humanity, their spirit, their drive and their courage. God bless them for their efforts ... God bless the loved ones of those lost.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Cappuccino
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 05:30 PM

I couldn't agree more. I'm always slightly surprised when I meet part-time firemen and the like and realise that they're normal human beings. At the risk of sounding over-the-top, I think they're supermen. Damned if I could do it.

- Ian B

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: mousethief
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 01:33 PM

The Yahoo site may or may not be legitimate. The IAFF site says it has the ONLY donation address authorized by the NYFD locals. The yahoo site may be legit, but I'd need more proof. Anybody can buy a domain name like "FireDonations.com" and solicit funds. I note that the address they have is in Tacoma, Washington. Having heard about some of the scams that are being perpetrated in NY in the past couple of days (hell isn't nearly hot enough for people who bilk others in such times!), I'd be careful.

This web site has letters to the NYFD and is well worth some time to peruse: click

This web site has the official address to send funds for the fallen firefighters' families (sorry about the alliteration there): click

Alex

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 12:59 PM

I can only echo these fine sentiments. Brave folks....and I've never known one who would do anything else.

Here's a cartoon theat Clinton Hammond posted elsewhere and it really does hit the spot..... click here

Spaw

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: RangerSteve
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 09:49 AM

On the Yahoo home page I just noticed information about helping the NY Fire dept., along with the Red Cross and others.

Your local volunteer fire depts can always use donations. Same with the rescue squads. More importantly, they need members.

Finally, as a cop who just spent 12 hours turning people away from the New Jersey waterfront, I'd like to thank the many people who understood, the folks who offered us food, the people who wanted to volunteer to help, and the kind words to our country from foreign visitors who had to settle for Jersey City as a vacation destination.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Charcloth
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 09:27 AM

May God keep them safe & bless them for their compassion

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Megan L
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 09:24 AM

As part of the voluntary sector built into our local Emergency Plan I know many of our local emergency services, as a small community we know thier families as well. What I do know is that they will think of thier lost friends, but it gives you a new kind of determination to see the job through.God Bless them all.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Son of the Mill
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 09:07 AM

Yes, Firefighters & Police forget there own selves when it comes to help people. I am very pleased to see people off the street are comming to help. We in New Zealand are with you. I was not impressed with W.W.3. statements, but we will be there. Cheers Mal.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: InOBU
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 08:48 AM

Hi guys... if anyone has a site I can send a few photos to, I took some photos of these heroes the day it happened. One in particular, down by the battery. I'd like to share it with my fellow catters, so if anyone has a site for me to email it too, let me know. What these guys have done is beyond description. We lost almost as many firemen in one moment, than in all the years of the history New York Firedepartment.
It takes so little to let these guys know how thankful we are, as they are bloody humble in times like these. No one here can pass a fire station without stoping in and shaking hands and saying thanks. Our local fire house lost 9 members.
Even the State troopers who are down here, who we generally only see when they give us tickets on the throughway, who are thought of as tough guys, one fellow was reluctant to let me go home yesterday, I am in a frozen zone, well was in, they opened it this morning, anyway, I was telling him, I was actually just going for coffie at a diner while my wife was going through a small procedure at the hospital. He tells me that the diners are closed. I tell him I had just passed it and it was open, so he let me in. After I ate, I brought a big box of hot coffees back to the state troopers, "to prove the diner was open", I joked. I was completely taken back by the degree of thanks they showed. Here are guys, standing all morning checking ID, a REALLY boreing job, one where they don't get "the glory", and yet, well, they are really oh well... Hey, got to share this with you guys, one of the rescue dogs who was brought in from down south's name is "Dan the Damn Dog..." Another rescue dog cut his foot on glass, and was treated and is back at work. Our best friends.
Also, My Genie was in court down there, all the cops and court officers ran out before the second plane hit, and ran into the trade center. All the lawyers she and I work with, with whom the police are often adversaries, are calling each other, asking about the cops they work with, and praying for all their well being. These guys have faced the greatest fear, not their own death, but leaving their families without fathers and mothers, and they did so without a moment's hesitation. It was also good to see the Steam Fitter's Union marching down to the site singing, "We are the Union, the Mighty Might Union." Pray for peace, Larry

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Troll
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 08:33 AM

AMEN!

troll

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Son of the Mill
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 08:32 AM

We in New Zealand have watched the horror in N.Y.< As an ex Firefighter, I salute your guys & gals.< cheers Mal>

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 08:18 AM

My thanks also to those who go to work each morning knowing they might not come home at night. Firefighters and police know the risks, and choose to continue to take those risks in order to help people. They do it every day, and they die for it every day. May those, and the families of those who put themselves in harm's way to help a stranger, know the gratitude of strangers.

Other folks, folks of all sorts, have risked death in this disaster so that others may live. I think many people are capable of heroism. When I look into someone's eyes today, I'll try to remember that.

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 02:09 AM

Absolutely, Rick. Unequivocally. I am filled with such admiration and gratitude for all those supremely brave souls I can't express it. We are in such debt to them. All I can wish them is safety and the occasional sweet reward of finding a live one. Neither one is being granted, unfortunately.

Ebbie
Elva Bontrager

Subject: RE: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 01:52 AM

You can personalize this by contacting the business office of your local Emergency Services unit and letting them know you appreciate them. Right now their hearts are in New York and DC, with their counterparts.

Tomorrow Hardi and I will go open the church for prayer, and after the noon rush he will go over to the 911 dispatch center and pray with them since they can't leave their boards. Becuase that is what WE can do. Some of you might offer your local Emergency Services folks a benefit concert.

~S~

Subject: Firefighters Cops and Medics. Thank you.
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 01:18 AM

I didn't want to post to Mudcat this week until I felt I had something completely positive to add. I've just seen a remarkable interview and I want to say:

To the courageous Firefighters, Policemen and women, and all the medical people. To the others from dozens of professions, who've risked their lives as well by pitching in to help in the aftermath.

Thank you so much for what you've done, and what you've sacrificed. The debt we owe you can never be payed.

Rick and Heather Fielding

Toronto Canada