We gathered just west of the central fire
station for a silent march to the gazebo across the street from Rosenberg
library. An honor guard carrying the
American flag and Texas flag, flanked by an officer with a rifle and a fire
fighter with an ax led the procession.
Four honor guard members carried large reproduction of the shields of
the New York City fire, police, port authority and EMS organizations. The mayor and a lady who would lady sing in
the ceremony were next, followed by the VFW flag bearers and others carrying
the flags of the various entities represented.
One other flag had the American flag’s field of stars along with the
names of all those killed in the disaster.
Bringing up the rear were the rest of us to be involved in the ceremony
and others in uniform.
As we marched past station one, the on-duty
guys were lined up in front, standing at attention and saluting the flag. The children from the Satori private school
lined the street, each one holding American flags. More salutes as we passed the two fire trucks
blocking traffic at the intersection where we turned. I glanced toward the relatively small crowd
gathered near the gazebo. Many were
filming or snapping photos with cell phones.
I found out later that a Spanish-language television crew was there, as
was a Galveston Daily News reporter. But
the one sight that for me was the most iconic of the occasion was a small boy,
maybe 4 or 5 years old, dressed in full, child-sized fire department bunker
gear. He was standing at attention and
saluting the procession as it marched in front of him. A symbol of a new generation learning to
respect the flag and the sacrifices made by many who came before him.
Galveston Fire Marshall Robinson, master of
ceremonies for the event, led in the pledge of allegiance and I followed with
the invocation (which I included as the prayer that follows). Mayor Rosen read a plaque commemorating the
event and presented it to the fire marshall.
A lady sang a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace. As tributes were read by representatives of
the fire department, police department, port authority, and EMS, an honor guard
member solemnly rang the bell indicating last call for those heroes. The VFW presented a wreath to honor those who
have lost their lives in the war on terror in the years following the initial
attack. The vet who played taps did an
incredible job. The notes rang loud and
pure through the silenced crowd. And the
final blessing ended the ceremony the proper way – acknowledging God in the
midst of sorrow.
After the ceremony, media crews began
interviewing the mayor and the event organizer.
Final photos were taken. Bubba
Gump Shrimp Company provided a lunch for the fire department. The other fire crews returned to their
stations. The police officers continued
their shifts. The citizens returned to
their homes. And spurred on by the indomitable
spirit that has become synonymous with America … life goes on.
Psalms 111:3 says, “Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures
forever.”
Father,
it seems that the most tragic events are always the easiest for us to
remember. After all, that’s why we are
here today. A lot of families
experienced some really intense pain and grief that probably hasn’t yet
subsided. We pray for them today. A lot of heroes lost their lives on this
day. We honor their memory today. And yet, as with most tragedies, a spirit of
hope peeks through the gloom. Join with
us today, Father, as we, through our simple effort of remembering, strive to
expand that tiny sliver of hope into a beacon of optimism for our future. In your name.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment