9/11 Tribute to New York City

Dept. 56, American Pride Collection,
"9/11 Memorial," 57712

The events of 9/11 evoke both horror, in memory of the events, and pride, in how men and women of service responded to those events.  On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, I choose to write, with gratitude, about those who served on that day to try to save lives, comfort lives, and remake lives.

The Department 56 "9/11 Memorial," pictured above, is part of the American Pride Collection, and was designed by Cynthia Markle, using photographs from newspapers as inspiration.  She wished to create a tribute to the professionals and volunteers who responded to the crisis and gave so much to help those in need.

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
"Engine Company 10," #4020172

Among the 2819 who died on 9/11 were 343 firefighters and paramedics who responded to the attacks at the Twin Towers.  Right across the street from Ground Zero was FDNY Engine 10 and Ladder 10, the engine house that lost six men during rescue operations: Gregg Atlas, Stephen Harrell, Paul Pansini, Sean Tallon, Jeffrey Olsen, James Corrigan. In the picture of Ten House below you can just make out "10" above the doorway to the right.

Just outside FDNY Engine House 10,
Across from World Trade Center Site,
Image from:
http://www.fdnytenhouse.com/911/remember/remember.htm

At the end of 2010, the New York City Fire Department had 10,849 uniformed firemen, 3399 uniformed EMTs and paramedics, and 1622 civilian employees.  In that same year, the FDNY continued the tradition of providing service to New York City by responding to the following emergencies:

• Structural fires: 26,748
• Non-structural fires: 44,585
• Non-fire emergencies: 217,411
• Medical emergencies: 218,686

Dept. 56, American Pride Collection,
"Firefighters' Memorial," #57707

In 2010 the NYFD responded to 2,708 "serious" fires, defined as those declared 'all hands' or above in severity.
(Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Fire_Department)

James Symington and his Search Dog Trakr, both of whom survived 9/11.
Image from http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20285756,00.html

On 9/11, 23 NYPD and 37 Port Authority police officers lost their lives.

La Guardia Airport Memorial,
Police Emergency Garage,
"In Memory of the 37 Port Authority Police Officers
who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001."
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20285756,00.html

The long-term effects on the health of thousands of other police and fire officials, clean-up staff, and local residents assisting in the crisis are only now being assessed.

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
"Precinct 25 Police Station," #58941

In 2010 there were 34,500 NYPD uniformed police officers, approximately 4500 auxiliary police officers, and 5000 school safety agents.  In addition to law enforcement and investigation duties, the NYPD continues to serve New York City with specialized services, including emergency, k-9, harbor patrol, air support, bomb disposal, anti-terrorism,  criminal intelligence, anti-gang, narcotics, public transportation and public housing, and  computer crime.

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
"St. Paul's Chapel," #4020173

Right across from the World Trade Center is the small chapel of St. Paul's. Completed in 1766, the chapel's yard was used during the Revolutionary War for marching drills by a militia unit that included the future Secretary of the Treasurer, Alexander Hamilton. George Washington worshipped here after his inauguration as President of the United States.  On Sept. 11, 2001, St. Paul's survived the destruction of the Twin Towers.

After the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.
St. Paul's is in the back on the left.

Immediately after the attacks and in the following years, the chapel became a haven for workers to find food, rest, counseling, and consolation.  Medical personnel, massage therapists, podiatrists, musicians, chefs, and other volunteers gathered here to help the rescue workers in whatever way they could.

After the attacks, people frantically looking for loved ones would put up pictures on an altar inside the church.  Frequently, those pictures were replaced with Mass cards.  Memorials sprang up throughout the church, honoring the victims, the first responders, and the people of New York.  It is a moving experience to walk among the pictures and mementoes, and you can still feel the pain and love.