My brother the 9/11 responder

On 9/11/2001, my brother Matt was an active firefighter with the New Rochelle, N.Y. fire department. Part of the family. Nineteen miles away from ground zero. But on that day 19 miles was further away than he wanted to be.

His whole ladder company wanted to go down and help. But as you can imagine the logistics were unimaginable. There were issues with who was needed, what was needed. But there was no doubt when it was needed.

After a couple of days, they were cleared and went down to the site. They drove the 19 miles, got off a bus and walked down the West Side Highway to the wild cheers of the crowds lining the streets. I can’t even imagine what that felt like. He and his company spent the day down at the site doing whatever they could. But he said he got the feeling that the New York City Firefighters wanted to “dig out their own.” He understood. I understand. I hope you do too.

Today is a day that I really hope we all remember with the proper respect and dignity. I’m proud of my 12 year old son for his great Instagram post this morning.

He remembered even though he wasn’t born yet. We brought him into this world one month later to the day on 10/11/2001.

As the saying goes, “life goes on.” Or does it? I don’t mean to single out The Carolina Panthers or Miller Beer but I did see this party invite from them.

Something about it just doesn’t feel right, does it? Perhaps there was another way to send out this message. I would think so. Thanks to everyone who is keeping the memory of this day alive in the proper manner.

~Mike