15 years

15 years.  15 years and tears still spring up in my eyes whenever I catch even a glimpse of video or even pictures of the planes smashing into the Twin Towers. 

 

15 years and I feel my chest get tight as I think of all the lives lost and the number 343, the number of firefighters killed, is burned into my memory. 

 

 

15 years and I can still hear the sound of firefighter PASS alarms waling right after the collapse of the towers.  15 years and I can still picture watching body after body falling to their deaths, and that sound when they hit, oh that sound.  15 years and it still brings me to my knees.  It is crazy to image that freshman in high school right now were born after 9/11 and it is only something they learn about in history class or from those of us who witnessed it.  So much has change in just 15 years.  15 years ago I remember you couldn’t go even a block and not see a flag flying as we came together as a nation.  The sea of red, white, and blue was breathtaking.  The flag became a symbol of pride as we all united to stand up and not let evil knock us down. 

Slowly they started coming down.  Now some schools won’t even fly a flag as it could be “offensive to others.”  The pledge is no longer said in schools and children don’t seem to be taught how to show respect to the flag.  Now NFL players are “making a stand” by not standing during the National Anthem.   Today when I drove to work I saw only a handful.  15 years and how quickly we forget.  I for one proudly flew my flag.  My love for our country and all that the flag stands for runs deep in me.  I have family members who have help fight for this country and proudly display the flag in my home my Grandfathers flag.  I am beyond thankful for the freedoms and rights we because of the country we live in.  I believe that by flying my flag today it is a way for me to honor and remember all those who were affected by those horrific events 15 years ago.  

15 years ago I sat in Boise fire station 1 and was glued to the TV surrounded by firefighters as the numbers started to roll in of how many people were feared dead or missing.  I spent the next few days, weeks, months at firehouses. 

I wore my FDNY shirts non-stop and was able to ride in parades and go to events with the fire department. 

(My shirts that I still have)

I just started to volunteer weeks before everything happened at Eagle Fire and remember putting my name down on a list of volunteers to go and help out in New York (even though they never called me.) 

(some of my Firefighter/EMS magazines that I still have)

When I think of 9/11 I can’t help but think of the Boise Fire Department and how they made me feel like one of the family.  I will always treasure those times. 

15 years later and I went from the fire department, to the ambulance and now a police dispatcher.  Each change has made me think more and more about not just the firefighters who died helping, but all the EMS, Police Officers, dispatchers and even regular citizens who gave all they could that day.  As a dispatcher I can’t not imagine how helpless and overwhelmed they had to have felt.  I cannot fathom the calls from people who were trapped and dying.  I don’t know if my heart could take the pain of knowing you have guys down but not being able to do anything. 

 

15 years and yet it still feels like just yesterday.  May we never forget.