Dear Tinley Titans,

     The word brave, as defined in the dictionary, is ‘Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage’. One day in our past that really questioned the bravery of Americans was September 11, 2001. That was a day when people just helped others, no matter their backgrounds. Although countless were lost, many believe that America was never as unified as then. A specific group of people that come to mind when it comes to helping others, both on 9/11 and the everyday lives of Americans, are firefighters.

     On September 11 2001, at  8:46 AM, a plane crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower, this was flight 11. The New York City Fire Department wasted no time in getting to the Twin Towers, and got there in only 6 minutes. Firefighters got to work right away and in a selfless act, many of them started heading into the towers and up the stairs. Unfortunately, in doing so, the lives of 343 firefighters were lost.

     Although not all firefighters from that day are able to be listed, in order to honor their names, a few will be written about. It’s said that a 37 year old man named Daniel Suhr was the first firefighter that died. Taking after his father, Suhr had been a firefighter for many years. While Daniel had been helping people, another person had jumped from the top of a tower and landed on him, killing him instantly. He left behind his, at the time, 2 year old daughter, and is remembered and honored to this day. 

     Another firefighter was a 22 year old man named Michael F. Cammarata. He is said to be the youngest firefighter that died that day. When he first got the news, he left a voice message to his father saying, “‘I am going to the World Trade Center. A plane just hit it. Just tell everyone I am all right”’. These were the very last words anyone would hear from him. His family found a letter in one of his drawers, listing some of his wishes for if he were to pass. The letter read, “Take care of Jenna, his girlfriend, Don’t mourn me, this is the career I chose, Make my spirit live on, and Remember I love you all and will be waiting for you upstairs”. It’s said that he was evacuating people from the World Trade Center when it collapsed. His body was never found, but to this day, his family and friends remember and recognize him for the hero he is. 

     There are many firefighters that died that day, and others that survived. To this day, they all continue to be heroes in America. 

Sincerely, 

Tinley Park student, Dayhana Peralta