Having A Great Honor To Do

[Lone Star]

UE,

What a touching post!

I'm glad that you feel that you finally have closure, now the healing can truly begin.

I'm waiting with baited breath to see those pictures!

LS

[uglyEMT]

Pictures coming soon. I had an issue with my network connection last night. Either later today or late tonight.

[HERBIE1]

Ok folks. Well Im back and ready to discuss that day.

It was a wonderful day all around. We had close to 100 apperatus from over 20 services (fire, ems, pd). My squad sent one rig unfortunatly because we couldn't get mutual aid to cover our area so we left the duty crew behind to cover Full dress whites and we looked good

Got to the meeting spot which was at a rigging company that already had the beam on a low boy drapped in the Red, White, and Blue. As we all arrived the staff of the company was outside to shake each and every one of our hands, no not just occasionally but EVERY person. They also had a nice table set up with coffee and bagles. I looked at it as they know they were contracted to move the steel but it was OUR steel, it was about US.

Well after a little time and getting everyone organized the escort began. Local PD shut everything down, intersections, side roads, commercial driveways, then the highway. When we got onto the highway the PD shut all 3 northbound lanes and the procession went 3 wide witht he steel in the lead and us following. It was amazing to see folks in the southbound lanes pull over out of respect. No not alot but the ones that did really made it special.

Eventually we made it off the highway and snaked through town (about one mile, maybe more, long) and thats when bystandards were about. Every street had folks snapping pictures waving and saluting. One couple in particular really got me. Old couple sitting on lawn chairs on their front side walk with a sign saying Remeber Pearl Harbor Day Dec 7th. The wife was sitting in the chair waving a little American Flag while he stood at perfect attention, in what looked like an old dress uniform, saluting every single rig that went by. I thought I even noticed a tear.

We get to where the monument was being errected at a local church in the town. There was two huge ladder trucks at nearly full extention holding a huge American Flag between them. It was amazing to drive under it on our way to the staging area. After staging the rigs we all proceeded to the outside of the church for the ceremony. All the service personel lined up at parade rest awaiting the steel to come by. With an Emerald Society escort and The Colors carried by military personel we all snapped to attention and saluted as the steel went by.

It was errected into a granite base and what will be a beautiful flower garden in the spring. After a touching eulogy by the church's minister and some speeches from a Senator, a Congressmen, the Mayor and the Fire Cheif there was a long moment of silence followed by Amazing Grace on the bag pipes. The Colors were dismissed and the public was asked to move aside and let the service personel come foward and pay their respects first.

Ok I was good up until this part. I had a somber mood all day, who wouldn't, but I was holding it together well. Quick backstory so you know why this part means so much to me. On 9/11 I lost twenty six friends then spent 3 days on The Pile seeing horrendous things. I never went to a funeral, I never went to a memorial, I never went back. This was my first memorial I finally felt strong enough to attend. 9 years later I finally had the strength. Well I start the walk up to the memorial and emmotions start welling up. Each step felt heavier then the last. I reach the steel and kneel before it and say a prayer then get up and reach out to touch the steel. I instantly am transported back to that first night on the pile and everything comes crashing back to me. I make my way back to my rig and tears are flowing. I notice no one or anything. Next i feel a hand on my shoulder and it is the Fire Cheif. He tells me to let it out and if I think I am the only one doing it to look around. Their had to by 50 or 60 guys doing the exact same thing. Same as that day 9 years ago. All of a sudden I feel this huge weight lift and almost a warmth roll over me. I finally have closuer and it feels great.

It only seems fitting that on our way back to our building we get a 911 call and respond. In full dress whites and all we respond and do our jobs like it was any other day.

Well I know you all wanted me to make EMS proud and I believe I did. It was another day I will always remember.

I did take photos, I just have to upload them. I will post what I took when I get the chance.

Stay safe everyone.

I have chills. Sounds like this did you a lot of good.

Looking forward to the pictures.

[Richard B the EMT]

From the discription, all you needed, in addition, was this .U S Marine

[Lone Star]

From the discription, all you needed, in addition, was this .U S Marine

I'm not one who normally 'tears up' or gets overly emotional, but that video definately put a lump in my throat and made the vision just a little bit 'squiggly'...