July Fourth 2009 my wife and I were in
DC for the celebration of America’s Independence.
It was our first trip to the capitol and it
was such a memorable and moving experience we will never forget that special
vacation. One of the things we did that
is totally related to mine and several million other Americans' resurgence in
patriotism was to attend a “First Signing Ceremony”. A little blurb on a
DC site was the only mention that I heard of before we got there. As we got closer to the Newseum and saw that
the DCFD had twin ladder trucks holding a 15’ x 30’ flag, I knew we came
to the right place. Two long steel I-beams that are to be used in the
construction of the Pentagon wing of the WTC 911 Memorial were available for
everybody to sign and pass along thoughts, prayers and thank you’s. At
the “First Signing” we were honored to be addressed by several First Responders. DC/Pentagon police and fire, 911 Victims’ Family members, and survivors as
well.
All wonderful people.
In our eyes, Heroes.
In
their eyes they were just people going about their normal lives. Doin’ their
jobs.
One
was Mickey
Kross, NYFD, he survived a falling WTC tower with little more than a bloody
face. In his words, there was nothing special about Mickey
Kross.
Millions and millions would disagree.
Thanks again, Mickey. You are a Hero.
Another Hero that I noticed while I waited for the special guests, was a young man on a beautiful Harley. He looked proud, strong, and determined. I would have loved to thank him, too. I did seek out the rider to show my appreciation and found his mother, who I gave my thanks and condolences to. After that, she told me of his death in Iraq. She proudly rides in a saddle made from the Humvee he was riding in at the time of an IED explosion.
She’s a Hero, too.
Before we left, I noticed something that still chokes me up when I think about it. Mickey and the Soldier’s mother had been talking after the speeches ended when I lost track of them. Mickey passed us too quickly while we were in the queue for the signing, so I missed shaking his hand. But, after I left my message on the beam and took my lovely wife’s picture between four of DC’s first responder firemen in front of thier ladder truck. I glanced back for another look at the Harley. That's when I noticed the soldier’s mother was holding Mickey’s white lieutenant’s dress hat.
Selflessness, Mickey, that’s why you’re a Hero.
Thanks 911 Memorial, and the Newseum too.
Dear Readers, never forget, and thank a fireman, a policeman, or a soldier today.
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