SENATOR COLLINS JOINS MAINE FIRE FIGHTERS TO HONOR 9/11 FALLEN
U.S. Senator Susan Collins today gathered with fire fighters at the 48th Annual Maine State Federation of Fire Fighter’s Convention in Waterville during a special 9/11 Memorial Service.
Following is the text of her remarks as prepared for delivery:
“It is an honor to join you on this day of remembrance and gratitude.
“The pipers, our national anthem, Pastor Riportella’s invocation, and Chief Buchanan’s historical context all are potent reminders of why we gather here today. Yet, the most powerful reminder is the moment of silence we have just observed. In our own thoughts and in our hearts, we each relive that terrible day of a decade ago. We each reflect on the heroism that day revealed.
“The years have not dimmed our memories -- September 11th, 2001, remains as vivid as if it were yesterday. We each have our own recollections of where we were and what we were doing as the horrifying events began to unfold. We share the still-powerful emotions of shock, anger, and grief.
“On the evening of that terrible day, members of Congress gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. With tears in our eyes and sorrow in our hearts, together we sang, “God Bless America.” The emotions of shock, anger, and grief were joined by unity and resolve.
“Ten years later, that moment remains my most enduring memory. The sense of unity and resolve that swept over us as we sang has been our nation’s strength in the challenges we have faced ever since.
“That strength was purchased at a high price. Three hundred forty-three firefighters gave their lives in order to save others on 9/11. Nearly 3,000 people perished that day, but more than 25,000 were led to safety by heroic first responders.
“Across America on this solemn anniversary, many words will be spoken as we try to express the inexpressible. But it only requires four words to sum up the courage of your profession. These words were revealed to us by the recordings of emergency calls made on the morning of September 11th. They were spoken by Fire Captain Paddy Brown amid the suffocating smoke, searing flames, and falling debris of the South Tower’s 35th floor. They were Paddy Brown’s last words to the outside world: “We’re still heading up.”
“We in the outside world can never know where the courage to keep “heading up” into such danger comes from. Whether you serve in a large city or a small town, whether you are called to a major catastrophe or a local emergency, you respond when the alarm sounds. You head into danger that others flee. You risk your lives to save lives.
“Each year, some 100 firefighters make the ultimate sacrifice protecting our homes, our communities, and our lives. Each is mourned. None will ever be forgotten.
“We in government have an obligation that goes beyond paying tribute. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am committed to working with you to develop the necessary policies and legislation to ensure that the courage our firefighters demonstrate every day is never taken for granted.
“In Maine, we have 405 fire departments protecting the lives and property of 1.3 million citizens every day. We count on the skill of our brave first responders who answer tens of thousands of calls in any given year.
“First responders are our first boots on the ground. That is why you need state-of-the-art communications systems and other equipment. We never again want to see help delayed because first responders cannot communicate with one another.
“On this weekend of remembrance, the thoughts of people across Maine will turn to the friends and neighbors we lost on 9/11, and our hearts will ache once again.
“Let me close by telling you about someone who, while not a Mainer, will never be forgotten here. His story is important because it reveals the heart of the firefighter.
“Angel Juarbe was a New York City firefighter – Ladder Company 12 in the Chelsea district of Manhattan. He was compassionate – he had adopted eight dogs from city animal shelters. He was adventurous… he once sold his classic Mustang to pay for a trip to Africa because he said his life would not be complete until he had seen elephants, giraffes, and lions in the wild.
“In February of 2001, Angel took another great adventure – he spent more than two months in Eastport, Maine, in the dead of winter. He had been chosen as a contestant in a reality TV show being filmed there. The show, “Murder in Small Town X,” called upon 10 contestants to solve a mystery.
“Angel won the contest and its prizes – a new Jeep and $250,000.
“Reality show contestants are required to keep the outcome a secret until the show airs. Angel kept his wonderful secret from his friends, family, and fellow firefighters all through the spring and well into the summer.
“The final episode aired on September 4th, 2001. Watching together in Queens, the family celebrated Angel’s victory. Angel had other surprises in store – he gave the Jeep to his father. He gave some of the winnings to a cousin to buy a house. The rest of the money went into a college fund for his nieces and nephews.
“Exactly one week later, Angel was finishing up the midnight shift at the firehouse when the alarms sounded. Ladder Company 12 arrived on the scene just as the first tower fell, so they immediately rushed to save those trapped in tower two. When volunteers were needed to climb back up the collapsing stairwells so the incapacitated could be rescued, Angel stepped forward. He was on the 14th floor when the building fell. His body was not recovered until late November.
“The fisherman’s statue on the Eastport waterfront is dedicated to Angel Juarbe, not as a reality show winner, but as a hero of 9/11.
“That is the heart of the firefighter – caring, adventurous, generous, and, above all, brave. It is the heart that keeps “heading up” when lives are at stake. That is the heart that beats within all of our firefighters, and we are grateful. May God bless you all and keep you safe.”
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Following is the text of her remarks as prepared for delivery:
“It is an honor to join you on this day of remembrance and gratitude.
“The pipers, our national anthem, Pastor Riportella’s invocation, and Chief Buchanan’s historical context all are potent reminders of why we gather here today. Yet, the most powerful reminder is the moment of silence we have just observed. In our own thoughts and in our hearts, we each relive that terrible day of a decade ago. We each reflect on the heroism that day revealed.
“The years have not dimmed our memories -- September 11th, 2001, remains as vivid as if it were yesterday. We each have our own recollections of where we were and what we were doing as the horrifying events began to unfold. We share the still-powerful emotions of shock, anger, and grief.
“On the evening of that terrible day, members of Congress gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. With tears in our eyes and sorrow in our hearts, together we sang, “God Bless America.” The emotions of shock, anger, and grief were joined by unity and resolve.
“Ten years later, that moment remains my most enduring memory. The sense of unity and resolve that swept over us as we sang has been our nation’s strength in the challenges we have faced ever since.
“That strength was purchased at a high price. Three hundred forty-three firefighters gave their lives in order to save others on 9/11. Nearly 3,000 people perished that day, but more than 25,000 were led to safety by heroic first responders.
“Across America on this solemn anniversary, many words will be spoken as we try to express the inexpressible. But it only requires four words to sum up the courage of your profession. These words were revealed to us by the recordings of emergency calls made on the morning of September 11th. They were spoken by Fire Captain Paddy Brown amid the suffocating smoke, searing flames, and falling debris of the South Tower’s 35th floor. They were Paddy Brown’s last words to the outside world: “We’re still heading up.”
“We in the outside world can never know where the courage to keep “heading up” into such danger comes from. Whether you serve in a large city or a small town, whether you are called to a major catastrophe or a local emergency, you respond when the alarm sounds. You head into danger that others flee. You risk your lives to save lives.
“Each year, some 100 firefighters make the ultimate sacrifice protecting our homes, our communities, and our lives. Each is mourned. None will ever be forgotten.
“We in government have an obligation that goes beyond paying tribute. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am committed to working with you to develop the necessary policies and legislation to ensure that the courage our firefighters demonstrate every day is never taken for granted.
“In Maine, we have 405 fire departments protecting the lives and property of 1.3 million citizens every day. We count on the skill of our brave first responders who answer tens of thousands of calls in any given year.
“First responders are our first boots on the ground. That is why you need state-of-the-art communications systems and other equipment. We never again want to see help delayed because first responders cannot communicate with one another.
“On this weekend of remembrance, the thoughts of people across Maine will turn to the friends and neighbors we lost on 9/11, and our hearts will ache once again.
“Let me close by telling you about someone who, while not a Mainer, will never be forgotten here. His story is important because it reveals the heart of the firefighter.
“Angel Juarbe was a New York City firefighter – Ladder Company 12 in the Chelsea district of Manhattan. He was compassionate – he had adopted eight dogs from city animal shelters. He was adventurous… he once sold his classic Mustang to pay for a trip to Africa because he said his life would not be complete until he had seen elephants, giraffes, and lions in the wild.
“In February of 2001, Angel took another great adventure – he spent more than two months in Eastport, Maine, in the dead of winter. He had been chosen as a contestant in a reality TV show being filmed there. The show, “Murder in Small Town X,” called upon 10 contestants to solve a mystery.
“Angel won the contest and its prizes – a new Jeep and $250,000.
“Reality show contestants are required to keep the outcome a secret until the show airs. Angel kept his wonderful secret from his friends, family, and fellow firefighters all through the spring and well into the summer.
“The final episode aired on September 4th, 2001. Watching together in Queens, the family celebrated Angel’s victory. Angel had other surprises in store – he gave the Jeep to his father. He gave some of the winnings to a cousin to buy a house. The rest of the money went into a college fund for his nieces and nephews.
“Exactly one week later, Angel was finishing up the midnight shift at the firehouse when the alarms sounded. Ladder Company 12 arrived on the scene just as the first tower fell, so they immediately rushed to save those trapped in tower two. When volunteers were needed to climb back up the collapsing stairwells so the incapacitated could be rescued, Angel stepped forward. He was on the 14th floor when the building fell. His body was not recovered until late November.
“The fisherman’s statue on the Eastport waterfront is dedicated to Angel Juarbe, not as a reality show winner, but as a hero of 9/11.
“That is the heart of the firefighter – caring, adventurous, generous, and, above all, brave. It is the heart that keeps “heading up” when lives are at stake. That is the heart that beats within all of our firefighters, and we are grateful. May God bless you all and keep you safe.”
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