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Rockland Fire Remembers 9-11
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Rockland Firefighters Remember 9-11-01
Members of the Rockland Fire Department paused on Friday to remember those lost on 9-11-01. At 8:46 AM the memorial was begun with words from Fire Chief Robert DiPoli and a prayer read by Father O'Driscoll of the Holy Family Church. A special American flag containing the names of the 343 FDNY brothers that were lost was raised and Box 5-5-5-5 was transmitted on the roof horn. Deputy Ferguson read the firefighter poem "When You Weep For Me." Moments of Silence were again held at 9:59 and 10:28 in front of our memorial. Never Forget.
IAFF Remembers 9/11 Tragedy
September 11, 2009 – Today marks the eighth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our country which took the lives of 347 dedicated IAFF members. As set forth by “Resolution 9/11: Fire Fighter Day of Remembrance” passed at the 2006 IAFF Convention, IAFF members are encouraged to solemnly recognize this day “as a Day of Remembrance for all fire fighters who fall in the line of duty everywhere.”
September 11, 2001 was the darkest day in the IAFF’s 90-year history. Not before or since have we lost so many of our brothers or sisters in a single day. This union responded by raising and distributing more than $160 million dollars to the families of our members and by establishing and continuing to this day counseling services to assist those who served with our fallen and to help them recover.
Every fire fighter life is as precious to us as any member of our family would be. A feeling of great sadness and loss spreads across our union each time we lose a member of our fire fighting family.
Since 9/11, nearly 700 IAFF fire fighters in the United States and Canada have given their lives in the line of duty. So, today, let us remember the 347 who made the ultimate sacrifice at Ground Zero and never forget all of our fallen brothers and sisters.
"When you weep for me"
Brother when you weep for me
Remember that it was meant to be
Lay me down and when you leave
Remember I'll be at your sleeve
In every dark and choking hall
I'll be there as you slowly crawl
On every roof in driving snow
I'll hold your coat and you will know
In cellars hot with searing heat
At windows where a gate you meet
In closets where young children hide
You know I'll be there at your side
The house from which I now respond
Is overstaffed with heroes gone
Men who answered one last bell
Did the job and did it well
As firemen we understand
That death's a card dealt in our hand
A card we hope we never play
But one we hold there anyway
That card is something we ignore
As we crawl across a weakened floor
For we know that we're the only prayer
For anyone that might be there
So remember as you wipe your tears
The joy I knew throughout the years
As I did the job I loved to do
I pray that thought will see you through
-Author Unknown
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