It’s been a week since the first memorial service I attended in New York. It usually doesn’t take long for me to sit down and start writing, but this time even I’m at a loss for words. With the FDNY Memorial scheduled for the 18th of November at Madison Square Garden postponed, I was among the thousands of Firefighters who still migrated to “The City” to attend funerals and memorial services. I researched where and when to go. My hopes were to attend at least two services each day since there are several daily. The problem is they’re scattered from Long Island to Queens to Staten Island and throughout the city. So I picked two, one for Friday and one for Saturday. On Friday we headed to Long Island for the service of our Brother Michael Otten of Engine 40. The directions worked out well and we exited the Long Island Expressway on route 213 heading for the church. I knew we were getting close. Then at a light someone called to me. “Are you headed for the funeral?” He asked. Yes we are I replied. The church is a couple blocks ahead. Follow me he told us. He was an older guy with a tab over the FDNY patch of his class A’s that read “retired.” Many of the old timers are suited up for the services. With so many each day they need everyone that can attend to do so. At the church the crowd was growing. We were from everywhere, California, Washington State, Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Florida amongst many others. They came from as far as the United Kingdom and Germany. It was great to see such a turnout. We waited out front and could hear the bagpipes prepping in the background. We talked and waited for the call to fall in. When it came some 300 Firefighters in a line 2 deep stood tall as the pounding of the drums and the somber wail of the pipes drew closer. The call of Hand Salute went out and we all stood at attention and saluted as the procession passed by. One thing I will always remember is the young Son, maybe 6 standing in his full dress FDNY uniform saluting, his little hand perfectly straight at the brim of his hat. When the Family entered the church the call to fall out was given. I waited to be sure that all the FDNY members who wanted to had made it inside before I entered myself. My Wife had come along and was already inside. I was directed to a seat in the sea of blue that filled the church. Family and friends were spread throughout, the room was filled to capacity and beyond I’m sure. The service was amazing and listening to Family, Friends and members of Engine 40 (the Cavemen as they’re called) talk gave us the opportunity to get to know Michael a little. More than the fact he was our Brother, we now had a small idea of what a great person he was to know, love and work with. When the service ended we filed out, took our places in line and saluted as the procession passed once again. The call came to fall out and many headed off to a local station for refreshments, we said our goodbyes and headed to the car for the ride back to Connecticut. It was an incredible honor to be there with our Brothers and Sisters. I thought I did pretty well, I assumed I’d be a blubbering idiot. Sure I cried like the rest but not like I thought I would. Heading back down the L.I.E. (Long Island Expressway) we passed a tower truck that was at the service. Hitting the horn as we passed got waves from all on the truck. I thought to myself God watch over them. It was a good ride home; we talked and shared our feelings of the day. Cheryl never ceases to amaze me; I’m so blessed to have her. Once at home I felt the toll of the day, I was pretty burnt and kind of embarrassed about it. Imagine how those who’ve been doing this on every day off feel. Once we relaxed awhile it was off to bed we’ll start again in the morning. We woke to another beautiful day. (Thank God!) We got our things together and headed south. Today we’re going to China Town and the service for Firefighter Keith Glascoe of the 21 Truck. As we passed through Bridgeport Cheryl noticed a bus with Ritchie on the side. Jokingly she says, “I wonder if that’s Lionel Ritchie?” I don’t think so I tell her. As we pass the bus I notice the patches on the shoulders of those inside. It’s a bunch of guys I say. I hit the horn as we passed, they probably thought I was nuts. When we got into the city and made the turn onto Mott Street it was amazing, there’s no doubt why they call it China Town! Okay, per my directions we should be getting close. Just then an NYPD officer stepped out into the street and asked if we were there for the funeral. I said yes we are and he pointed to the curb and said right there. We parked on the side of the street and got out. The officer said you’ve got something on your car that says you’re a Fireman so you’re okay there all day. I knew today would be different as soon as I took my coat out and put it on. It seemed as though all eyes turned and were on me. Everyone wants to touch you, talk to you and let you know how he or she feels about us. For the first time ever I was almost embarrassed to be in this uniform. I felt I didn’t deserve what was being given. I’m here for my Brothers and Sisters I don’t deserve this. This only lasted a few minutes then an incredible sense of pride replaced the other feelings. We arrived at 1000 and the service was at 1200 so we had awhile to look around. We walked down to the church and spoke to a Captain there. He thanked us for coming; I said, “We’ll be here as long as you need us Cap. We walked around the streets of China Town till it was time to assemble at the church. The same thing happened again; as we walked people would touch me on the shoulder and say God Bless. This was a very powerful experience! It was after 1100 now so we headed back towards the church. As we got back to where our car was parked what did we see but the bus we passed on the way down now parked behind us. I couldn’t believe they got the bus down that street! They were three departments from Mass. sharing the bus. We all headed down to the church together. Now there was a large crowd, what seemed to be over 400 Firefighters again from everywhere. Like yesterday we stood outside talking, waiting for the call to form up. The street was full of civilians too; they stood on the corners and sat in windows of the surrounding buildings. Finally we were called to formation, this time 4 or 5 deep we lined up across from the church. “Detail Attention”! You could hear the snap as we all came to attention. Again the drums and the pipes draw near and soon the command “Hand salute” was heard. The procession passes and the Family, Friends and Brothers and Sisters filed inside. With the church full we stood outside and listened to the service on a speaker. It was incredible, everyone praying together and clapping together when Family and Friends told stories of growing up with him or working with him. As you looked around Firefighters and the others on the street and in the windows were crying or laughing, every emotion came out as we listened to their words. After the service again we lined the street and saluted as they left and it was over. We stood talking for a while then everyone broke up and headed off in all directions. Cheryl and I went for a walk, we wanted to get to the NYC Fire Museum and stop at some houses on the way. The streets were full of Firefighters, every corner held 5, 10 or more it seemed. We made it to the NY Fire Store, walked around the store then visited the house next door. The Brother on House Watch had a Dalmatian puppy that was dropped off by some Sheriffs from Rochester. It seemed to raise spirits and attract the ladies. Anything that picks these guys up is nice to see. The guys were just amazing, they would ask if they could show you around the house, and I’m sure no one turned them down. Especially not me! In front of the houses there were memorials set up. Candles, notes and posters along with multitudes of flowers were all placed with love in front of every station. The guys would then take you to the poster that held pictures of the guys fallen or missing from their house. They’d say, “These are our guys” and introduce you to them by name. This was a special thing for me, I may not remember all the names but I will always remember the faces. Then we walked on up Spring St. to the museum. There was a sign in book at the entrance and a kid with a NJ EMS shirt on was bent over writing. As I waited for my turn to sign we looked at the display of the recent events, pictures and tools from the site along with letters from citizens. When the young guy in front of us finally finished I moved to the book. Then I noticed what took him so long. The page was stained with his tears as he wrote. I read his words and had to cry myself, “My dream has come true! My number came up on the list and I will be with you soon. I only hope I can live up to your standards and earn the right to be among you.” I’m sure he’ll do just fine. The museum was full of Firefighters and I was very impressed with the displays. We walked through and then headed back towards China Town. This is an incredible place! I thought growing up in Miami I knew what it was like in the big city. Well I knew squat! Just the logistics of keeping this place going is unimaginable. I have to hand it to the people of “The City” it takes a special kind of person to live here. It must be amazing for someone who comes here to live who’s not accustomed to the city life. On the way back to the car we decided to have some dinner. We saw a place on a corner in Soho called “Tennessee Hills” it was a rib place. I can always eat ribs! We went inside and they sat us at this great table right in a window on the corner. We could sit and watch it all go by and it was beautiful. I know this day is something I’ll never forget. Many tears flowed and the love of a great city was given to us. Many I’m sure felt as undeserving as I. Just when I thought the day was winding down a couple walked by the window. They walked arm in arm, they were in their late twenties I’d say. As they passed the window the young lady looked in and saw me sitting there. She stopped, turned to me and gave a salute and stood there for a few seconds and then continued down the street. That was it; I broke down right there at the table. All the emotions of these two days running unstoppable down my face. These people have been changed and I think they will always remember just how far Firefighters are willing to go for them. Never will they walk by a house without stopping or just saying hello. On the way back to the car we stopped at 55 Engine. They were out on a run so we just read the memorials and looked at the pictures outside. Just then a guy rides up on a bike. He was coming in for shift, he says, “Hi Bro, You want to come in and see the house? The guys are out but I’ll show you around.” Sure I say. He took us in and showed us around the house and of course took us to the poster with their guys on it. Again I’m humbled by what these guys must endure. We hugged and said be safe, then we left. It’s getting late so we need to get on our way. It’s 1700 when we start out. We went an 8th of a mile in the first hour. Now that’s traffic! Once we make it across the Williamsburg Bridge and start up 278 the view of “The City” was amazing! The lights were beautiful and well worth the wait in traffic. We got home around 2200 tired but so happy that we went. The guys deserve to have us do what we can. We may not all be within driving distance but the things each of us has done, whether writing letters, taking collections or having a memorial sticker on your lid all means so much to them. If you haven’t been yet, believe me, when you do you’ll see what I mean. Let’s continue to pray for them and the Families daily, they need all they can get. Also, let’s pray each day that God will watch over us all as we continue the job we love so. GOD Bless and Keep You Safe. Jim Preston, FF/NREMT-B South Windham Fire Department South Windham, CT

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