What did you do to commemorate 911

SFC William Farrell — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:07:56 -0400

What did you do to commemorate 911?

As for me, I spent 911 in NYC commemorating the events of 911 that resulted in loss of life and specifically the 343 firefighters who died that day, especially one in particular, Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca. Ron was a National Guard Special Forces soldier, Vietnam era who later joined the Fire Department. After he died, his son Ron Jr. did the same thing and was Special Forces qualified. My brother and a bunch of fire marshals went down to Bragg for the graduation ceremony. Since then Ron brings his counterparts from around the country to NYC for events honoring his father and I have been participating for about 8 years now.

Its always an emotional tribute, Ground Zero, events around the firehouse across from the trade center and other venues. Im attaching some pictures of the days events. We had a Marine with us who deployed to Afghanistan and then to Iraq where he lost a leg. We also had a DSC recipient in the pic but i won't identify any of them but you can probably pick him out.

These are somber memorials to the firefighters, police officers and civilians who died in the terrorist attacks on 9-11-01. Having worked on the 104th of 1WTC in the early 80's I loved going to work in that building and riding the express elevator up and then transferring to the local.

The memorial service with all the SF folks and fir department showed me for the first time since I left Vietnam that the American public really supports our troops now, something that was lost due to the media during the Vietnam years. I will never forget the sacrifices of those who died on 911 and the soldiers who have since sacrificed so much in the cause of a better world.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 15 at 2015 11:24 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:24:15 -0400

SFC William Farrell I was on a plane flying across the country going to surprise my mother on her 80th birthday in Illinois - trip was uneventful and the surprise was priceless. I did remember the fallen from the War College in my post:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/can-you-take-a-moment-to-remember-these-great-heroes

Can you take a Moment to Remember these Great Heroes? | RallyPoint

Can you take a Momement to Remember these Great Hero's? These U.S. Army War College students, with their age, graduation year and year of death, died in Sept. 11 attacks or subsequent battles; Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Maude, 53, 1990, 2001 Col. Canfield D. Boone, 53, 2002, 2001* Col. Richard C. Rescorla, 62, 1988, 2001 Sri Lankan Lt. Gen. Parami Kulatunge, 49, 2003, 2006 Col. Brian D. Allgood, 47, 2002, 2007 Col. John M. McHugh, 46, 2009, 2010...

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 15 at 2015 12:58 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:58:40 -0400

Honestly I just kept to myself and didn't do anything special at all. I still remember 9/11, I doubt I can ever forget it and how much things changed.