09/11/2026
25 Years later....
September 11th.
Today is a very difficult day for many- just like it is every year for the past 25 years.
We will lower the flag, and remember. There will be anger and pride, "whys" and "what ifs," tears, memories...and yes, even laughter.
We will hold today sacred as we have since the dust settled. We will remember NYC and the FDNY, the Pentagon, the airline passengers & crews, and we will remember the hetoes of Flight 93 here in Pennsylvania.
But our connection goes beyond the day, beyond the news coverage.
The fire department is a family, so we will remember, because in many ways, September 11th is every day.
For the FDNY, every day is a day of heroism, a day where they put their life on the line for a stranger. A day where just showing up for work could get you killed.
September 11th was their Worst day...and it was their Best day.
That's the blessing and the curse of the FDNY, and fire departments EVERYWHERE. You live a life that does so much good...but at a very real risk. But with that knowledge, you learn to be thankful for every day, and every person in your life, and to appreciate them all.
So today, we remember the day that changed our world forever - and remember that for so many, September 12th would never come.
So many people forgot to give a kiss goodbye, or stop to say I love you as they rushed out the door.
Opportunities lost, and never regained.
Let us all be thankful for each moment we have, and take every opportunity to appreciate the people we care about.
That's how we should strive to remember September 11th, the FDNY way. By taking each day as a gift, doing something good for others, and making each day your best day.
Let us be thankful for what we can do, for all that we have, and most importantly...
As we approach tomorrow, let us be thankful for each other.
