My grandpa was a cop for more than 30 years. My husband was a paramedic for more than 20, driving ambulances and pulling people out of buildings and cars and… gulp
I’m sorry. I can’t get any words out. My mind just keeps shrieking dearGod…dearGod…dearGod…
grabbing everyone for a big bear hug, no words can get past this lump in my throat
I thought that I did all my crying yesterday, but after reading this thread I thought of all my friends and family who risk their lives in these professions. None of those I was close to was in NYC, but… I can’t stop sobbing.
it’s heard to type through tears
I have refered to myself as the God of Atheism, but I pray now for the lives of all those who died not only through a senseless act of violence, but through their desire to help
[CRY]
Is there a “Widows and Orphans” fund being set up for these folks?
I don’t know about the area that you’re in, but here in St. Louis, the Backstoppers organization is accepting donations for the NYPD and NYFD personell who have been lost. Here in St. Louis those donations are usually given to the wife/family of the person who died to help with funeral costs and getting them back on their feet. If you do want to donate, contact your local Police or Fire Dept., and I am sure they would be happy to give you a number you can call for your local agency.
If anyone else here in St. Louis wants to donate some cash for those in NY, Backstoppers askes that you specify that it is for the NY PD and FD personell, or it would go into the local fund.
The back page of the NY Daily News, usually dedicated to a sports photo, is instead dedicated to such a fund for the police, fire, and EMT widow’s and children’s funds. You can also call 212 210 2244.
Mods, I think we can post that number, given the circumstances?
I have no words to express the profound sadness for the loss of the FDNY and NYPD heros. (T.T) :(:(
My SAR buddies have all my support through these rough times, too, as they work to find trapped survivors. We’ll lose K9s, we know that, and yet we move ahead and do what we can… Here, we’re on standby.
As a field medic, my heart goes out to all those who have perished - brothers and sisters in rescue efforts - and to those still there and barely hanging by a thread, hold on.
Elly
Another address:
Firefighters Widows & Children’s Fund
C/O
Uniformed Firefighter’s Association
204 East 23rd Street, NY, NY 10010
or call the UFA office at 212-683-4832
There is fund for the widows and orphans of the NYPD and the FDNY. This past weekend, Mr. Grace and I watched the Toughman competition, an amateur boxing competition, to raise money for this charity. There were 24 firemen and police officers boxing (NYPD -vs- FDNY) each other to raise money for the charity. Now these two departments are working together, putting their own lives in danger, in order to search and rescue/recover those people still missing. I know that the Fire Chief, who was at the competition, is presumed dead.
This tragedy saddens me and I know the $50,000 they raised isn’t enough considering the loss of so many heroic men and women.
It is one of the saddest facts of life that heroes tend to die a heroes death instead of living happily ever after. To all those that gave and still give all they have to safe lives, my heartfelt thanks and prayers.
…5 firemen were just rescued from an SUV trapped in the rubble. Alive and well.
From the New York City official web site:
Here’s hoping still more emergency workers will be found.
I’ve been writing on and off all day. I’ve got over 30 distinct things I need to write about from Tuesday and Wednesday, and will write a narrative of everything I’ve been through. I feel like it’s an important step ind ealing with this.
I spent Tuesday doing ambulance runs and setting up the Trauma Hospital on the Chelsea Piers. I was 8 blocks from WTC when the second one fell in on itself. Wednesday I was in the Hot Zone, and down at South Ferry at that Triage Center.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has expressed respect and support for those of us who have always felt the deep need to run towards the disaster and not from it. Nobody does anything like this alone, and reading these words of love and respect and support mean more than anyone can know.
To my Fire, Law and EMS brothers and sisters who’ve posted here and are reading, there are no words. Only furious and desperately focused glances over filthy respirators and through smudged eye protection as we kept, and keep doing our jobs.
Never give up until the fight is done. :mad:
Cartooniverse
I just heard that one of the five rescued firefighters started to help with the search and rescue as soon as he got out.
God damn, that’s a mensch.
Cartooniverse, we knew you were there, and we worried. We are so very proud of you, and so glad that you were able to make a difference.
I have always been drawn to Firefighters, EMTs, and Police Officers. It’s times like these that justify that feeling for me.
God Bless you all. Athiest, Agnostic, or whatever. I have been praying for everyone who is there helping, and for those who have lost or are in limbo.
I’m just sitting here shaking my head with awe.
I thought I finished with the crying yesterday, then I read this thread and started all over again. It seems everything I could write has already been written.
I remember the episode of MASH when Radar finally left to go home. Right before he left, Hawkeye said, “Radar, I’m going to do something now that I hardly ever do.” Then, he saluted Radar.
I salute you all.
{{{Firefighters, police, rescue, paramedics}}}
Growing up my heroes were Bart Starr and Ray Nitschke (sorry-Chicago Dopers) and Hank Aaron and Paul Molitor. Today for kids it might be McGwire or Favre or Jordan.
Then I saw a few of the pictures of the firefighters standing in the lobby and the stairwells of the WTC, making sure the people left the building in a somewhat orderly fashion. I looked closer at the firefighters face and said to myself, this guy probably isn’t here anymore. He may very well have known he wasn’t going to get out. They may all have known that but it didn’t stop them.
Maybe I’m too old for heroes now, but maybe not. These men and women are our heroes. If I’m lucky enough to have kids, I hope they can see that. Who really cares if you can catch a ball rolling to you or kick a ball thru some poles. I wish I could put into words how much respect I have for them, but I can’t.
I ran across this cartoon in my travels thru the internet: