343 firefighters died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. Halle firefighters Steffen Krohn, Philipp Krohn, Markus Suchant, Mirko Jiinger, Ronald Petsch, Christian Häußler and Max Radam were also at the so-called “Ground Zero” during the commemorative event. Here are his thoughts:
There is a question that probably someone of a certain age can answer. It is the question: “What did I do on September 11, 2001, a Tuesday?”. At the same time, we associate it with the amazing images we encountered on live television broadcasts that day. We are accompanied this afternoon by the burning towers of the famous skyscrapers of the World Trade Center, flying objects freed from the impact of the two planes, desperate who just want to survive and their loved ones.
This morning started in New York City with bright sunshine and warm weather. It promised to be a wonderful day. But that wonderful day turned into a day that would change our world forever.
The day of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center is marked by people who want nothing more than to help others alleviate suffering and perhaps even cherish the hope that they can happily end this madness, after all – they are the brave firefighters, New York City police officers and paramedics. Many of them are aware that they are on a suicide mission, but they face this challenge out of passion for their work and because they recognize the responsibility they have towards the citizens of the city and their families.
This morning many firefighters are fighting against an unpredictable adversary: the weather. 343 of them will not survive this fight. 343 of them will not return to their families that evening. 343 of them will never see the bright sun again. 343 Behind each of these numbers is a life, a character who has gone through the ups and downs of life, a vocation, family and friends and none of these people should ever be forgotten.
The firefighters of the city of Halle (Saale) also commemorate the victims of the New York firefighters. Halle firefighters wanted to travel to New York on the 20th anniversary of the attacks, but Corona prevented this plan. That’s why they are doing it this year. Colleagues from professional firefighters and volunteer firefighters from our city use their free time, with the support of their families, the blessing of their fire chief and a loan from the city of Halle (Saale), so that l’Halle (Saale) firefighters may be present with a small delegation at the memorial event.
At 8:46 am on September 11, the bells rang in memory of the approximately 3,000 victims of these devastating attacks. Our firefighters are in the front row. It’s an overwhelming feeling, the goosebumps that come over her as the event goes on. The names of the victims are read, commemorated and prayed for. Relatives of the victims read short messages and give names and faces to the tragedy.
For our firefighters, this day is overwhelming. They use the opportunity to talk to local firefighters, firefighters from other nations and even New York residents and visitors and experience something that rarely happens to those who wear uniforms in our homeland, feel gratitude, respect and recognition from all sides.
This day was an experience that the people involved will never forget, with feelings they want to cherish and experiences they will be happy to share.
It was a day we will never forget in our lives!
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