Carpentersville 9/11 Memorial - September 11, 2011
Weather was perfect today when Carpentersville Firefighters Kim DuCasse and Asst. Chief John Skillman got to unveil their new 9/11 Firefighters Memorial at the Fire Department's Station 1.
Chief John Schuldt and his firefighters were proud, as they should be. They were about to unveil a monument to the public dedicated to the people and firefighters who perished in this country's worst attack since Pearl Harbor. Various speakers included a survivor of of the WTC collapse on 9/11. His story was captivating and haunting as he talked about making his way out of the building after the first plane hit and getting outside asking only "which way was south" as he headed back to the hotel he was staying at. All he knew was that he had to get out of there. Not until he got back to his hotel did he grasp or even understand, what had just happened.
Hundreds turned out for the event including local area Fire Chiefs. Area politicians State Rep. Keith Farnham and State Senator Mike Nolan also attended, as well as Carpentersville Councilman, Paul Humpfer.
There was a short parade that followed the unveiling that went from the Otto Engineering parking lot at Main & Lincoln, went past FD Station 1 and then on the Carpenter Park where the "Healing Field's" 2976 American flags were flying. A very humbling day, to say the least, especially when The Dundee Scottish Pipe Band stopped and played an absolutely flawless version of Amazing Grace. (see video) Many of the people also in the precession today stopped to shake hands saying "Thank You" to the firefighters lining the street in front of Station 1. Once woman literally broke out in tears after shaking one of their hands and saying "Thank You for what you do".
Read MoreChief John Schuldt and his firefighters were proud, as they should be. They were about to unveil a monument to the public dedicated to the people and firefighters who perished in this country's worst attack since Pearl Harbor. Various speakers included a survivor of of the WTC collapse on 9/11. His story was captivating and haunting as he talked about making his way out of the building after the first plane hit and getting outside asking only "which way was south" as he headed back to the hotel he was staying at. All he knew was that he had to get out of there. Not until he got back to his hotel did he grasp or even understand, what had just happened.
Hundreds turned out for the event including local area Fire Chiefs. Area politicians State Rep. Keith Farnham and State Senator Mike Nolan also attended, as well as Carpentersville Councilman, Paul Humpfer.
There was a short parade that followed the unveiling that went from the Otto Engineering parking lot at Main & Lincoln, went past FD Station 1 and then on the Carpenter Park where the "Healing Field's" 2976 American flags were flying. A very humbling day, to say the least, especially when The Dundee Scottish Pipe Band stopped and played an absolutely flawless version of Amazing Grace. (see video) Many of the people also in the precession today stopped to shake hands saying "Thank You" to the firefighters lining the street in front of Station 1. Once woman literally broke out in tears after shaking one of their hands and saying "Thank You for what you do".
