Today, on September 11th, a day that means so much to all Americans, but is a particularly relevant day to fire fighters, in Colorado for the IAFF holds it’s Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service. For reasons discussed yesterday, I’m not in Colorado.
Today, some stranger who probably doesn’t really want to be there will accept John’s flag.
Nobody at the ceremony will know John or care about him. He’ll be just one name on a list– a name on a wall.
People will wonder why nobody came as a representative. They don’t know why. They don’t know that it’s a matter of money and a matter of stretching money as far as possible and trying to be responsible about the future.
So today, I have a headache and feel like I’ve let John down and like I should be in Colorado. I should be in Colorado, but I’m not. Kiddo and I will wear our Team Smitty shirts and think of John and remember not only John, but all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
John, I’m sorry