firefighter62 PLEASE BOMB's blog: "9/11 NEVER FORGET"

  Its A calling they say.... heard by many, chosen by few, respected by all. Its been said, you dont know when it happens, but those who choose it know when it does. For me like many, it was when I was just a boy. I watched in awe as these people rushed up and down the street heading to the call for help. The house siren sounding in the distance, the thrill of not knowing just what was happening, an...d listening to the Engines as they pulled out of the station and the echo of the Airhorn in the distance as these brave souls ventured off on another call. Ahhh.... The life of a VOLUNTEER FIREMAN (FIGHTER). I couldnt wait til it was my turn to help, to be one of them, to ride that Engine, To be a Fireman!!! For the average citizen it cant be explained. Doing something so dangerous, time consuming, and often times, Stressful, FOR NOTHINHG? WHY? Oh contrere, to us, its not about the money. but, Its about the calling. Helping those in need, doing a job and seeing the fruits of your labor, Protecting your community, people you dont know, your family, your friends!! Its about the comradeship, the bonds you form with those who also hear the call. Its about your Fire Dept. Family. Its about Love. The Love of the Job, The Love of the feeling of pride and accomplishment, The Love of giving of yourself so others might be safe or to help them heal. In someways it cant be explained...... WE JUST DO IT!! Gene Kirchner was one of those who CHOSE the calling. It came to him and he embraced it with all he had. He knew the dangers and accepted them as part of his duty as all of us who answer the calling do. He placed someones life above his own and gave the last full Measure of Devotion to a Job he knew he had to do. Now the Family hurts, now we grieve, now we must band together as no other and heal. Its a calling they say...... One I am proud to have answered, and Prouder still to know that people like Gene answered also.......... Godspeed Gene Kirchner, Go rest high on that Mountain, We got it from here................

 Today as I look back over the past 12 years since 09-11-01 I realize that I don't need some politician grandstanding talking about the 343 rescue workers who made the supreme sacrafice that day to help me remember 9-11. In fact that number is much higher!!!!! How many rescue workers have passed away since then from complications from working on the pile day after day, night after night? Didn't they also make the supreme sacrafice? How many rescue workers since then have been medically retired from injuries recieved or lung issues from breathing all the dust? One thing is for sure. Unless you was there in person and saw ground zero for yourself, I'm not sure you could imagine just what happened there. No television screen in the world could possibly show the destruction and devastation. I have a lot of close friends in FDNY. Some were lost on 9-11 and today I will raise a glass in your honor, "May peace be with you always brothers". Some retired because of 9-11, brothers my prayers your way for good health. And some still on the job, brothers as always be safe and stay low.... On this day 3 seperate attacks took thousands of innocent lives. I will never forget and I will never have to be reminded!!!!!!!