My Dear Rotary Family,
I would be remiss if I did not reflect on the 22 anniversary of 9/11. As the assassination of President Kennedy everyone remembers where they were on the day our nation was attacked. Reflecting on this past week of 9/11 I thought I would share some statistics from that day. On September 11th, 2001, the Fire Department Of New York (FDNY) lost 343 of its members. There were 340 firefighters, 2 were EMS personnel, and 1 chaplain. Also 8 private EMS personnel and 1 from the New York Fire Patrol, ages ranged from 25-71. In the years to follow over 341 more FDNY members have died from rare cancers and diseases caused by the toxic dust at Ground Zero. The breakdown reveals that of the 2,977 victims, 343 were firefighters. Additionally, 23 were NYPD officers, and 37 were Port Authority police officers.
There were 75 firehouses in which at least one member was killed. The FDNY also lost its department chief, first deputy commissioner, one of its marshals, one of its chaplains, as well as other administrative or specialty personnel.
Over the course of the next three hours, 121 engine companies, 62 ladder companies, and 27 fire officers were deployed to the scene. All off-duty firefighters were recalled — the first time the FDNY had issued a total recall in over 30 years. In addition to the regular fire apparatus and personnel assigned to the incident, the FDNY also deployed its only Haz-Mat unit, its mobile command center, its field communications unit, all its five rescue units, both of its high-rise units, six of its seven squad units, and one of its two tactical support units.
A total of 91 apparatus and vehicles were destroyed, and approximately 130 more were damaged.
One of my most memorable photo from 9/11,
firefighter rushing in as others rush out.
You may ask, how is this tied to Rotary, because our motto is “Service Above Self” With more than 1.4 million members worldwide, Rotary members are on the ground and ready to take action to help communities recover when disasters strike. Rotary members and The Rotary Foundation play a unique role in disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts. When disaster strikes, Rotarians around the world come together as people of action to help those in need. To support communities in their rebuilding efforts, The Rotary Foundation is proud to announce our new Disaster Response Fund. Donations to the Disaster Response Fund help Rotary clubs provide disaster recovery and support relief efforts where the need is greatest by funding and providing access to disaster response grants.
Here are a few headlines:
- Rotarians respond to tropical cyclones in Fiji
- Rotary Club Arlington does a 2 meeting club fundraiser for Maui Wild Fires, raising $3,752.
- Rotarians in Guatemala and Mexico are collecting funds and providing direct aid to communities devastated by last week's mudslides and floods brought on by Tropical Storm Stan.
- Rotary members in Puerto Rico continue to work in their communities to rebuild homes, provide clean water, and move forward—one step at a time.
- More than 100 separate brushfires in Australia have damaged hundreds of homes and forced mass evacuations. Rotary clubs are taking action to provide immediate relief to those affected by the fires.
What is Firefighter
He is the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger.
He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.
Yet he stands taller than most of us.
He is a fireman.
He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.
He lives it.
Author unknown
May God Bless this club and its membership and may He bless the United States and Texas. Be safe!
