9/11 – the 11th Anniversary

This morning I lowered the flag to half staff and thought of those lost on that day.

I watched it wave in the breeze and looked around. It’s a cool beautiful crystal clear blue morning and I despise it. Every aspect of today mirrors that day eleven years ago. I always wish it would rain, something to make it remarkably different. Today just feels too eerily similar.

But it also made me think, and I realized that it was extremely selfish. I’m here, my partner that day, Ramon, is still here as well. We both have much to be thankful for.

I am reminded that even on the tough days, those times when you have hit rock bottom and begun to dig, you are still here and can still make a choice.

Eleven years ago, some incredibly brave men and women made their choice and in doing so surrendered it forever. Those are the ones we mourn today. But in their ultimate choice, let us learn.

Let us remember them and their choices, and never let their names be lost to time.

NYPD 23

Police Officer Danz, Vincent G
Police Officer Fazio, Robert
Police Officer Driscoll, Stephen P
Police Officer Pettit, Glen K
Police Officer Dominguez, Jerome M
Police Officer Smith, Moira A
Police Officer D'allara, John
Detective Vigiano, Joseph V
Police Officer Kloepfer, Ronald P
Sergeant Gillis, Rodney C
Police Officer Perry, John W
Police Officer Leahy, James P
Police Officer Talty, Paul
Police Officer Langone, Thomas M
Police Officer Valentin, Jr., Santos
Police Officer Ellis, Mark J
Sergeant Curtin, Michael S
Sergeant Roy, Timothy A
Sergeant Coughlin, John G
Police Officer Weaver, Walter E
Police Officer McDonnell, Brian G
Detective Richards, Claude D
Police Officer Suarez, Ramon

I also remember Firefighter Thomas Butler, Squad One. We were cops together in the 102 Precinct before he left for FDNY.

We should also never forget those who have died since. It may be eleven years since the first attack, but the casualties from that day continue to climb. When it will end, is anyone’s guess.

Life is about living, whether you are at the top of the mountain, or down in the valley slogging your way up. They would each say to us, live your life today, because there is no guarantee for tomorrow.

In living our life today, we honor those that cannot. 

Fidelis Ad Mortem