Firefighters pay tribute to fallen brethren

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  On an average day, Eglin's air control tower is the hub of the test mission; but on Sept. 11, it became a symbol for firefighters who remembered their brethren lost 11 years ago.

In full battle gear, firefighters climbed the steps of the tower, each carrying a banner with the name a fireman or paramedic who perished during the 9/11 attacks against the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93.

Fire Chief Mark Giuliano hoped replicating the struggle of the firefighters would help those present remember the past.

"Think about where you were 11 years ago; how quickly people forget, how quickly times goes by," the chief said. "This is a tribute to the firefighters and to their sacrifice."

Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Robertson also asked those present to remember those who survived, served and sacrificed their lives for the safety of others.

"We remember the dead, the distressed and the dutiful--most especially we remember the dutiful, those rescue workers who saved and continue to save us and others from death and distress of terrorism," the chaplain said.

Giuliano said he knows the firefighters made it up to the 78th floor of the first tower in New York. And while it's hard to imagine the chaos of that day "we're here to honor those men and women who gave their lives."

Jaqwan Sims was a sixth grade student in Augusta, Ga., when the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93 occurred Sept. 11, 2001. He didn't realize then that these events would have a profound effect on his life's journey.

Eleven years later, Airman 1st Class Sims is the newest member of Eglin's firefighting team. He admits he didn't understand what was happening on that day, but what he learned has shaped his life.

"Those guys climbed 78 flights of stairs just to rescue others," he said.

Giuliano plans to make this tribute an annual tradition to remember the catastrophe of the 9/11 attacks. The names of the fallen will remain on display at the tower until sunset.