Notes from the
World Trade Center

A tribute to the fallen

NARROWSBURG — State Trooper Ben Johnson said he found the following tribute posted in the disaster mortuary area during his assignment in Manhattan. Knowing the area was highly restricted, he copied it so that others might share sentiments he found very moving.

These men and women came from safe harbors and sanctuaries and the arms of loved ones.

They came running with sunlight bright upon their faces toward the smoke and ash, then into a world of darkness.  They were acting on their rights as God’s soldiers in God’s army, to put the lives of others before their own.

These are the men and women who did not return.

Their actions will serve as a guide. A guide for heroes not yet born and those already among us.

As long as mortal men and women attempt to emulate these who have gone before us, the path to peace and freedom will be paved with their sacrifice in mind.

You can be sure they made this sacrifice with the comfort of knowing that we will care for their loved ones left behind.

God bless them all

-Anonymous-
Posted at DMORT post NYC, NY 9/20/01

Foundation makes major Red Cross disaster relief contribution

HONESDALE — A Wayne County foundation has made a substantial contribution to the Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

The John and Helen Villaume Foundation donated $25,000 late last week. John and Helen Villaume established a foundation for the benefit of charitable, religious, scientific, literary and educational programs in Wayne County. The money, donated to the Red Cross, will be used to alleviate human suffering brought on by the attacks of September 11.

Sullivan County firefighter
works at ground-zero

GRAHAMSVILLE — Grahamsville firefighter and former local EMT William Brenner said he felt compelled to volunteer to help clear rubble at the World Trade Center.

On September 16, Brenner traveled alone into Manhattan and was repeatedly turned away by officials, before a uniformed NYC firefighter spotted his Grahamsville Fire Department jacket and vouchsafed his entry onto the site. The firefighter said he knew the name, because his family has a Cochecton hunting cabin.

Brenner, who put eight hours in digging and on “the bucket brigade,” said he went to assist the fallen city firefighters and to represent all the Sullivan County firefighters who had volunteered to go and were turned away.