Thirteen years ago our country and the world were forever changed by the cowardly terrorist attacks that took place in New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pa. What had begun as an absolutely beautiful day with crystal clear, blue skies and comfortable temperatures soon turned into a day of horrors that would only increase as the day progressed. On the morning of Tuesday September 11, 2001, countless mothers, fathers, sons,daughters, cousins, friends and coworkers went to work or got on a plane not knowing the events that were about to change their lives and the lives of their loved ones forever. All of these people,by chance, were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and many never came home.As the tragedies of the day began to play out, seemingly “ordinary” people going about their business became emergency responders and saved the lives of complete strangers. Because of their heroism, the world was witness to amazing rescues and acts of courage. On a day when we saw the worst in man we were witness to the best of mankind. For the emergency services community over 400 fellow first responders were killed, this includes 343 FDNY firefighters, 23 officers of the NYPD and 37 officers with the PAPD. They are credited with saving thousands of people on September 11th. Uncommon valor was a common virtue on this day.
Please join us on Sunday September 7th,2013 at 5 PM at Delcastle Park on McKennan’s Church Road in Wilmington,Delaware for the ANNUAL FIRST STATE F.O.O.L.S. 343 MILES FOR 343 FALLEN BROTHERS SEPTEMBER 11th MEMORIAL WALK/RUN. This event is put on by a group of firefighters known as the FIRST STATE F.O.O.L.S. (Fraternal Order Of Leatherheads Society). We are a 501C3 not for profit organization with the goal of promoting firefighter safety, training and tradition. At the Walk/Run will be one of the Bells of Remembrance memorial 9-11 bells. This bell will be rung before and after the 1 mile walk/run. The ringing of the bell during the ceremony dates back to a time way before modern communications. A simpler time, a safer time, a time when we believed the oceans around us protected us. Fire alarms were dispatched using a bell system that would ring in the firehouses in a different sequence that was specific to a corner fire alarm box. The signal four fives was sent when a firefighter, a fireman had died. Following that same tradition we honor the fallen 343 FDNY firefighters, 23 NYPD police officers, 37 PAPD police officers and all the victims of September 11th. We are supporting the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation (NFFF) and the WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT . As in the previous years fire companies and departments, police departments, military units, boy scout troops, civic , church and all organizations are encouraged to walk or run as a group. Organizational flags and AMERICAN flags are encouraged to be carried.
For additional information please contact Bob Merring at 302-690-3382 tillerman17@msn.com or Kevin Keating 302-998-4264 kevinkeating221@verizon.net .
