Madison Fire, Police honor first responders with 9/11 remembrance ceremony
MADISON — Citizens donning red, white and blue gathered at Madison Fire & Rescue Station 2 on Hughes Road for a solemn service honoring the lives lost in the terrorist attacks that took place Sept. 11, 2001.
The ceremony began with the lowering of the American flag to half-mast position. Lowering a flag to this position often represents respect and mourning.
The honor guard then marched forward for the presentation of the colors. Robin Kramer, a chaplain with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, lent her voice for the singing of our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Police officer Russell Owens read a poem titled “The Final Inspection,” one version of a policeman’s prayer, the author of which is unknown. Deputy Fire Chief Brandy Williams followed with a quote from Chief Edward F. Croker, FDNY, about the pride and purpose of serving as a firefighter before reading “The Firefighter’s Prayer,” the author of which is also unknown. Williams then explained the significance of the firefighter’s bell, which was used to signal the beginning of a day’s shift, as well as the beginning and end of a call.
“We utilize these traditions as symbols, which reflect honor and respect to those who have given so much and who have served so well,” Williams read. “To symbolize the devotion that these brave souls had for their duty, a special signal of five rings, four times each, represents the end of our comrades’ duties and that they will be returning to quarters.”
The bell was then rung at Madison Fire & Rescue Station 2 in the traditional pattern of five rings, four times each.
Chaplain Marcelo Gallardo then read a few words of his own on the memory of Sept. 11.
“We remember the brave souls … and we remember the first responders who sacrificed their lives … we remember the words of Jesus: ‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends,’” Gallardo said before leading attendees in prayer.
A few members of American Legion Post 229 attended the ceremony.
“We have a lot of ceremonies to recognize veterans, but we don’t have many for firemen,” said Bob Kirby of Post 229. “As veterans, we recognize the firemen and first responders and appreciate their service.”
Bill McGahey, also of Post 229, agreed.
“They need recognition at this time,” McGahey said. “There’s too many people that don’t want to recognize these people [firemen and police] as heroes … they need to be recognized and thanked for all they do.”
Williams said the ceremony was “an honor to do” and called the experience “humbling.” Larry Vannoy of Post 229 said he appreciated that the first responders of the Sept. 11 attacks were being honored.
“It’s the recognition of all the first responders that made the ultimate sacrifice trying to save others,” Vannoy said. “A lot of civilian lives were lost as they jumped into the fray and knew that they may lose their own live trying to save others. I think that’s what this is about—the recognition of those heroes.”
