CARIBOU, Maine — The Red Cross Advisory Board, the Caribou High School Honor Society, the VFW, and a number of dedicated Caribou citizens attended a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony held by the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department on Friday.
“Even though there was rain, the parking lot was full,” said Caribou Fire Chief Scott Susi. “It was heartwarming to say the least.”
Chief Susi read a speech honoring the lives of those first-responders and citizens who perished during terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, highlighting the history and impact of firefighters in the United States.
“On September 11th, 2001 our nation not only experienced one of the largest terrorist attacks on U.S. soil,” said Susi, “but it experienced the deadliest incident for emergency personnel in history. 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 55 members of the United States military lost their lives that day just doing their jobs, doing what they loved.
“After the 9/11 attack, firefighters across the country have heard themselves called heroes, but many were uncomfortable with that label. Firefighters feel they are working stiffs, down to earth and that the word hero be restricted to those whose names are etched on a wall for all to remember,” he said.
Susi touched on the historical origin of firefighters during his speech, emphasizing their courage and impact throughout the years.
“When the Knights of St. John fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. A simple but horrible device of war, it dealt excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters of the cross. The Saracen’s weapon was fire.
“As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive, but others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths. Thus, these men became our first firefighters, and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters,” Susi read.
Chief Susi expressed a great deal of pride and respect for the profession of fighting fires.
“As firefighters, you may not have saved a lot of money through your life,” concluded Susi, “but if you have saved a lot of heartaches for other folks, you’re a pretty rich person.”
