On September 11, 2001, our world changed forever. The heart of New York City was struck, and in its wake, the heroic sacrifices of 343 FDNY firefighters forever etched themselves into the soul of our nation. As a firefighter with the LA County Fire Department, I, along with four other brothers from Station 173 in Inglewood, knew we had to help. We couldn’t just stand by as our FDNY brothers grieved and picked up the pieces. It took some time for flights to resume, but when they did, we headed to New York City, joining thousands of firefighters from across the nation to offer support in any way we could.
When we arrived, the overwhelming question on our minds was, "How can we help?" The answer was simple, yet profound: "Help us honor the fallen." FDNY needed us not at Ground Zero, but at the funerals. For the next week, we were tasked with attending two to three funerals each day, honoring some of the 343 firefighters who gave their lives in service on that fateful day. We were picked up each morning in an FDNY van, alongside firefighters from cities like Chicago, Detroit, Miami, and many more. Men from every corner of the country, all united by one common bond—the brotherhood of the fire department.
The Firefighter Family
There’s a saying within the fire service: we are family. And in New York, that family became real in a way I had never experienced before. We weren’t just grieving for FDNY, we were grieving for the nation. Every time I heard the haunting sound of bagpipes at a funeral, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I wept for men I didn’t know, men who had made the ultimate sacrifice. I wept for their families, their friends, and for our nation. There’s something about bagpipes at a firefighter’s funeral that cuts through any walls of toughness or stoicism. These were heroes, and their courage left a mark on every one of us.
As firefighters, we all understand the risks. It’s part of the deal. Every day we step into the firehouse, we know we might not come home. But that doesn’t make the loss any easier to bear. Attending funeral after funeral, seeing the faces of widows, children, and friends in the procession, the weight of the sacrifice became almost too much to carry. Yet, through it all, I felt something deeper than sorrow—I felt the strength of the Firefighter Family.
Brotherhood in Grief
After each funeral, the local FDNY firefighters would invite us to their neighborhood bars. Iit was about coping with the grief, the only way we knew how. We were all tough, proud firefighters, but there was no denying the grief was bigger than any of us. I remember sitting in those bars, surrounded by men and women who had rushed into danger to save others, reduced to tears. It was a stark reminder that, at our core, we’re all human. We weren’t just grieving for the fallen heroes of FDNY, but for the America that was lost that day. The spirit, the innocence, the sense of safety we all once knew had been shattered, and we were left to pick up the pieces.
A Life-Changing Experience
Looking back with 23 years of perspective, I can see how deeply those days in New York affected me. Attending those funerals wasn’t just about paying respects—it was about transformation. I came back a different person. I realized that the sacrifice we all make as firefighters is not just hypothetical; it’s real, and it can happen at any moment. I also came back with an overwhelming sense of gratitude—for the bravery of those who serve, and for the brotherhood we share.
Today, I am more grateful than ever for the millions of firefighters across the world who have made the deal—to put their lives on the line to protect life and property. You are more than just colleagues—you are family. And I’m incredibly honored to be part of that family.
As I reflect on the powerful emotions and experiences of that week in New York, I realize that it wasn’t just about grieving for FDNY—it was about grieving for the nation. The firefighters who perished on 9/11 were our brothers, but they were also heroes to the world. Their bravery, their sacrifice, and their legacy will live on forever.
To this day, the events of that week in New York remain some of the most profound and life-changing moments of my life. They remind me that the Firefighter Family is real, and it’s a bond that can never be broken—no matter the distance, no matter the loss.
-Rich
