FIREMAN 

Chapter 1

Leif’s Phone Call

This lovely September morning on both coasts of the United States will turn out to be the worst day of all of our lives. For Leif, it is the beginning of a couple of weeks of horrific carnage and unspeakable deeds. He will never be the same again, but he will have the company of thousands.....

Chapter 6

The Ladies on the Roof

One can’t walk, and the other can’t see. There they are, standing huddled and holding each other, with no place to go. Kind of looking like they are waiting for a bus. The only thing is, they aren’t waiting for a bus; they are on the roof of an eight-story building with the building burning beneath them.....

Chapter 9

Fire At Macy’s

In the middle of this turmoil, someone from down below says, "Everyone is accounted for." There are at least three companies of men on this landing, maybe 15 men or more. Each of us wants this to be so. We are more than ready to accept this.

The excitement is replaced by some relief, even though the fire conditions on the floor are worse than ever. The Lieutenant of 24 Truck is looking down, shaking his head, and at the same time he utters, "I can’t believe this is happening." I am standing right next to him. He grabs me by the arm and looks into my eyes and says, "Rescue, I’m telling you, my man is still in there.".....

Chapter 17

Funerals and Memorials

In the following months, I would get up in the morning and check the FDNY website to see the lineup of the funerals or memorials being held that day. I’d pick and choose the ones I would attend. The priorities were a personal friend, the son of a friend, and a member of a company I had been a member of, or any memorial or funeral I was free to make that day.....

    "It Made Me Laugh and It Made Me Cry."                         Retired Fire Captain, FDNY