Chapter 27-Can I Do It?
September 7, 2002
Alex sat at the kitchen table. In four days, she would have to face the fact that her father has been gone for a year. The one-year anniversary of September 11 won't go passed without acknowledgement. NYPD and FDNY along with the Port Authority Police are planning an honorary ceremony. After the city ceremony the 55th district was going to have their own ceremony, remembering those whom they lost on that day. Alex wasn't sure if she would be able to handle it, but she had Ty to help her through.
"Hey babe, what's up?" Ty asked Alex as helped walked into the apartment.
"I was just thinking about Wednesday."
"It'll be ok, I will be right there with you. Everyone from the house and the precinct will be there. You won't be alone Alex."
"But they want me to speak, I can't even write anything Ty."
"Come on, we'll do it now."
Ty sat down next to Alex with a pen and paper. For the next hour they wrote something for Alex to say on September 11.
~*~September 11, 2002
Today was the day. It was one year ago today that they City of New York, along with the United States of America was changed forever. The ceremony was to begin shortly before 9:00am, remembering the time when the first plane crashed into the tower, with the playing of Amazing Grace. Everyone gathered around Ground Zero grouped with his or her respective precincts. Ty was right at Alex's side, making sure she was holding herself together. Jimmy and Kim were next to each other, as were Faith and Bosco. You kind of learn whom people find important to them at a time like this.
After Amazing Grace the mayor spoke. The police chief and fire chief followed him. There was a prayer and then a moment of silence for all those lost that day. The ceremony ended about 3 hours later. The members of the 5- 5 headed to Oak Street Park, which was where they had made a memorial for their lost members. The ceremony began with Lieutenant Swersky speaking.
"I am glad that you all were able to attend. Along with Lieutenant Johnson, we felt that it was necessary to have our own ceremony. We lost nine men one year ago, four police officers and five fire fighters. Those who gave their lives did it trying to save others. All of us know what happened that day, most of us took our time off to go down and help with the rescue efforts. You all should be commended for that. Your efforts show how brave and dedicated everyone is. This city is the way it is because of everything you do. I'm not going to go on and on, we have several speakers who would like to say things and I will let them speak now. I would like to welcome Officer George Handshaw from the day shift."
Officer Handshaw spoke about receiving the call that day. He was on duty and responded to the scene. Alex was holding herself together surprisingly well, that almost scared Ty. He was afraid that everything would catch up to her at once and she would have a mental breakdown. Luckily, she was scheduled to speak next. Ty hoped that would either prove to him she had it together or break her apart. Officer Handshaw finished his speech and everyone clapped, some people wiping tears from their eyes. The police chief stood again.
"Thank you Officer Handshaw, that was very moving. Next we have Alex Davis. Alex's father was a well-respected man within the FDNY. He died tragically that day, trying to help those he helped every other day. Please welcome Alex to the stage."
The chief took his seat as Alex made her way to the stage. Everyone was clapping to show their support. Alex took a minute and then began.
"Thank you all for being here. It means a lot to the family of someone lost that day to know that their second family is behind them. The fire department was my father's second family. He lived for the fire department and he died for it. I was very proud of my father. I looked up to him; he was my role model. I became a firefighter, partly to prove something to him, but mainly to follow in his footsteps." Alex paused trying to keep herself under control. Ty shifted in his seat seeing how uncomfortable his wife was. Alex continued, "Although the memories of that day will never leave my mind, I can look back at that time with somewhat of a smile. It was because of my father's death that I became involved with my husband. He offered me his shoulder because he knew what I was going through since he had lost his father. I don't think I would have been able to keep it together without him. He was my rock and I will be forever grateful for that." Alex tried as hard as she could, but she just started crying.
Ty quickly got up from his chair and went to her. He walked up to her and took her in his arms. They just stood there with her crying. No one said anything, no one moved. They all knew how hard this was on Alex; the one- year anniversary must have been tearing her up. Alex just held on to her husband and cried. She hated this day, and she will hate that day for the rest of her life.
After about 5 minutes of Alex crying, she finally began to pull herself together. She still had to read the poem she and Ty wrote. She composed herself and unfolded the paper. Ty stood at her side as she began.
"When the department first came up with the idea of having our own ceremony, they asked me if I would write something to read. I tried so many times to come up with things to say. Nothing seemed good enough, nothing seemed to be fitting. Finally, several days ago, my wonderful husband offered to help me with my writing. We sat down and came up with a poem we entitled "Memories."
Alex cleared her throat and began reading, "Memories are all we sometimes have, When we are alone or when we are mad. Memories are all there is sometimes, When we are happy or when we are sad.
Just remember the memories again, They will always never, never end. Happy Times will bring a smile, Memories last for a long, long while.
Memories are part of our souls,
They remember our every precious goals. Memories are a part of our past
They will never compare in contrast.
Just always know when you are down When you are left alone with a frown, Memories bring you up and smiling, Because memories are always piling.
Memories are delicate fibers that are woven in,
They are the beginnings to an end.
Never forget the future or past,
Memories will always continue to last."
Alex was able to keep herself together as she read the poem. When she finished she received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance. She waved to them and walked back to her chair with Ty at her side.
There were several more speakers that followed Alex. About an hour after she read her poem everyone was heading home.
The poem read by Alex was written by Taza Potter of Plano, Texas in memory of the events of September 11th. The poem can be found on www.poetry.com.
September 7, 2002
Alex sat at the kitchen table. In four days, she would have to face the fact that her father has been gone for a year. The one-year anniversary of September 11 won't go passed without acknowledgement. NYPD and FDNY along with the Port Authority Police are planning an honorary ceremony. After the city ceremony the 55th district was going to have their own ceremony, remembering those whom they lost on that day. Alex wasn't sure if she would be able to handle it, but she had Ty to help her through.
"Hey babe, what's up?" Ty asked Alex as helped walked into the apartment.
"I was just thinking about Wednesday."
"It'll be ok, I will be right there with you. Everyone from the house and the precinct will be there. You won't be alone Alex."
"But they want me to speak, I can't even write anything Ty."
"Come on, we'll do it now."
Ty sat down next to Alex with a pen and paper. For the next hour they wrote something for Alex to say on September 11.
~*~September 11, 2002
Today was the day. It was one year ago today that they City of New York, along with the United States of America was changed forever. The ceremony was to begin shortly before 9:00am, remembering the time when the first plane crashed into the tower, with the playing of Amazing Grace. Everyone gathered around Ground Zero grouped with his or her respective precincts. Ty was right at Alex's side, making sure she was holding herself together. Jimmy and Kim were next to each other, as were Faith and Bosco. You kind of learn whom people find important to them at a time like this.
After Amazing Grace the mayor spoke. The police chief and fire chief followed him. There was a prayer and then a moment of silence for all those lost that day. The ceremony ended about 3 hours later. The members of the 5- 5 headed to Oak Street Park, which was where they had made a memorial for their lost members. The ceremony began with Lieutenant Swersky speaking.
"I am glad that you all were able to attend. Along with Lieutenant Johnson, we felt that it was necessary to have our own ceremony. We lost nine men one year ago, four police officers and five fire fighters. Those who gave their lives did it trying to save others. All of us know what happened that day, most of us took our time off to go down and help with the rescue efforts. You all should be commended for that. Your efforts show how brave and dedicated everyone is. This city is the way it is because of everything you do. I'm not going to go on and on, we have several speakers who would like to say things and I will let them speak now. I would like to welcome Officer George Handshaw from the day shift."
Officer Handshaw spoke about receiving the call that day. He was on duty and responded to the scene. Alex was holding herself together surprisingly well, that almost scared Ty. He was afraid that everything would catch up to her at once and she would have a mental breakdown. Luckily, she was scheduled to speak next. Ty hoped that would either prove to him she had it together or break her apart. Officer Handshaw finished his speech and everyone clapped, some people wiping tears from their eyes. The police chief stood again.
"Thank you Officer Handshaw, that was very moving. Next we have Alex Davis. Alex's father was a well-respected man within the FDNY. He died tragically that day, trying to help those he helped every other day. Please welcome Alex to the stage."
The chief took his seat as Alex made her way to the stage. Everyone was clapping to show their support. Alex took a minute and then began.
"Thank you all for being here. It means a lot to the family of someone lost that day to know that their second family is behind them. The fire department was my father's second family. He lived for the fire department and he died for it. I was very proud of my father. I looked up to him; he was my role model. I became a firefighter, partly to prove something to him, but mainly to follow in his footsteps." Alex paused trying to keep herself under control. Ty shifted in his seat seeing how uncomfortable his wife was. Alex continued, "Although the memories of that day will never leave my mind, I can look back at that time with somewhat of a smile. It was because of my father's death that I became involved with my husband. He offered me his shoulder because he knew what I was going through since he had lost his father. I don't think I would have been able to keep it together without him. He was my rock and I will be forever grateful for that." Alex tried as hard as she could, but she just started crying.
Ty quickly got up from his chair and went to her. He walked up to her and took her in his arms. They just stood there with her crying. No one said anything, no one moved. They all knew how hard this was on Alex; the one- year anniversary must have been tearing her up. Alex just held on to her husband and cried. She hated this day, and she will hate that day for the rest of her life.
After about 5 minutes of Alex crying, she finally began to pull herself together. She still had to read the poem she and Ty wrote. She composed herself and unfolded the paper. Ty stood at her side as she began.
"When the department first came up with the idea of having our own ceremony, they asked me if I would write something to read. I tried so many times to come up with things to say. Nothing seemed good enough, nothing seemed to be fitting. Finally, several days ago, my wonderful husband offered to help me with my writing. We sat down and came up with a poem we entitled "Memories."
Alex cleared her throat and began reading, "Memories are all we sometimes have, When we are alone or when we are mad. Memories are all there is sometimes, When we are happy or when we are sad.
Just remember the memories again, They will always never, never end. Happy Times will bring a smile, Memories last for a long, long while.
Memories are part of our souls,
They remember our every precious goals. Memories are a part of our past
They will never compare in contrast.
Just always know when you are down When you are left alone with a frown, Memories bring you up and smiling, Because memories are always piling.
Memories are delicate fibers that are woven in,
They are the beginnings to an end.
Never forget the future or past,
Memories will always continue to last."
Alex was able to keep herself together as she read the poem. When she finished she received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance. She waved to them and walked back to her chair with Ty at her side.
There were several more speakers that followed Alex. About an hour after she read her poem everyone was heading home.
The poem read by Alex was written by Taza Potter of Plano, Texas in memory of the events of September 11th. The poem can be found on www.poetry.com.
