Katrina 10 Years Gone

Brick at Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center

   After Katrina and seeing all the news coverage of the devastation and dislocation I wanted to do something - anything to help.  So I was thrilled when  my friend, and co-worker asked if I'd be interested in going to Mississippi to volunteer with the animal rescue efforts.  I'm in, just tell me where and when. Hey, I'm a First Responder and this is what I do.
    HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) had organized the operation in Hattiesburg, MS.  So we mapped out our route and  packed our bags.  Our co-workers took up a collection to pay for our gas, etc and some even bought supplies to bring to the people down there.  We packed up the pick up truck, (and honestly we couldn't have fit one more thing in) and we were off.  

The greatest adventure of my life.   

Pathway where Katrina commemorative brick is at Little Shelter

Remembering Emergency Workers of 9/11

Lafayette St NYC became Court Officer Memorial Way

   Wikipedia lists 414 Emergency Worker killed on 9/11.  I think everyone is familiar with most of these losses:  343 FDNY (341 Firefighters and 2 Paramedics), 37 Port Authority Police Officers, 23 New York City Police Officers, 8 EMTs from private entities and 3 New York State Court Officers.  God Bless them all, they run in when everyone else runs out.  It is what they do, it is what makes them heroes.

Corner of Lafayette and Franklin NYC is now Captain William Thompson Corner

   The 3 New York State Court Officers are often overlooked, and since they were my brother officers I feel compelled to remember them every 9/11.  Captain William Harry Thompson rushed to help from the New York State Court Officer's Academy on Williams St.  Senior Court Officer Thomas Jurgens (sadly he had a cousin with the PAPD who also perished that day) headed from his command on Center St.  Senior Court Officer Mitchel Wallace saw the disaster unfolding as he exited the subway on Canal St.  He was on his way to work at his command on Center St and instead chose to respond to the World Trade Center just like Captain Thompson, SCO Jurgens and numerous Court Officers who likewise responded to assist in anyway possible.  What separates these First Responders from the others is that technically they did NOT have to be there, their job did NOT require them to respond.  However; as Law Enforcement Officers, Emergency Workers and First Responders they knew it was their duty to be there.  

Fraternal Order of Court Officers Challenge Coin in Memory 9/11

      So I ask you to remember these 3 heroes from 9/11.

Plaque Nassau Supreme Court in Memory 9/11