I am a firefighter's daughter and now I work side by side with them, doesn't matter, day or night, night or day, they are and will always be firefighters. They are the one's running into the burning building when everyone else is running out. They put their lives on the line to save a life.
Firefighter's Prayer
When I'm called to duty God
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
I remember 9/11/01, I was just waking up and getting ready for my day. I was in my sophomore year at UNH, living in Stoke Hall. My friend IM'ed me and said, turn on the news, so I did, and I saw the horror that was the morning's events. I thought it was a hoax at first, that no way could this be happening. And then on live tv, I watched the second plane crash into the tower. I sat down on my bed, and started to cry, I knew it wasn't going to be a good day.
Another friend came to my room to walk to class, we had a 9:40 economics class, I said, I can't go, I want to stay and watch for news. She said, there's nothing you can do here, you might as well go to class. So we went, and class was promptly cancelled due to the events.
I came back to my dorm room and was glued to the set, I watched the events unfold on tv. I couldn't imagine the horror that was unfolding right before my eyes. The most horrific part for me was to see people jumping, with nothing below, I couldn't imagine what goes through your mind that says, I have no way out.
There were rumors going around that Stoke Hall was to be evacuated since at the time, it was one of the largest/tallest dorms on campus and there was a concern with a number of flights still in the air.
That night there was an impromptu vigil for the victims and the first responders, I was awestruck at the outpouring of support in America's time of need.
President Bush addressed the nation, among his words:
"Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts," "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve," and "The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts...we will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them."
After 9/11 my father went to New York for as many services as he could. He quickly became friendly with some of the guys on Staten Island, and still to this day is friends with them.
So today, as we remember the "Pearl Harbor of the 21st century" let us not forget. As well as keep in our hearts the service men and women who continue to this day to fight for our freedom and for justice.
