Remembering 9/11: A Sad Day for Fire Fighters
Friday, September 9, 2011
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)by Edward C. Smith
September 11, 2001, will forever be remembered as the
saddest day in the history of the American fire service. As fire fighters
during the 9/11 attacks, we knew the loss of life to first responders and
civilians would be staggering, but no one was prepared for the final count of
343 fire fighters and thousands of civilians. Some of our members were called
over to the Pentagon site to aid the first responders there. We also found
our fire houses “guarded” by National Guardsmen after the attacks, as no one
knew what might come next. As we mark the 10-year anniversary of September 11th,
once again we are reminded that “All Gave Some - Some Gave All.” May our
fallen members rest in peace.
- Smith is
President of the District of Columbia Fire Fighters Association, Local 36 of the
International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO-MWC. This is part of our
series about the local impact of the 9/11 attacks on the metro DC labor
community. We welcome your memories and comments at
streetheat@dclaborarchives.org