Firefighters Remember 9-11

By Bobby McCabe

The Cedar Key Lions will sponsor the remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9-11 on Monday, Sept. 11 at 8:45 a.m. at Cedar Key City Park.

Before last Friday, it had been over a year since I had spoken to or written to Robert "Jake" Kirwan. I just sent him a copy of a press release from the Cedar Key Lion`s Club describing the fifth anniversary memorial commemorating the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Jake sent me back an email and I would like to share it with everyone in Cedar Key.

To give a little background, Jake is a recently retired lieutenant from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). He was the first person I met when I reported for duty at the fire station that housed Engine 16 and Ladder 7 at 29th Street and 2nd A venue in mid town Manhattan.

Brian Muldowney, Chris Boles and I had arrived from Hillsborough County Fire Department to search for Brian`s brother Richie. Richie Muldowney, along with Lieutenant Vernon Richard, Bob Foti, Chuck Mendez, Vincent Priciotta, and George Cain, all firefighters assigned to Ladder 7, were missing in the rubble that was the World Trade Center.

Jake and Mickey Kross were the "bosses" in the firehouse the day we arrived. Mickey is one of the luckiest people I have ever met. He had, a couple of days earlier, survived the collapse of the North Tower in what would be later called "the Miracle of Stairway B." Jake told us where to stow our gear and Lieutenant Kross detailed someone to take us to the "site" to begin looking with others from Ladder 7 and Engine 16 for any sign of the missing men on the pile of rubble that until recently was the South Tower.

For several days we labored on 12 hour shifts sifting through debris. We used mainly our hands or small shovels to dig and saws and torches to remove steel and reinforcing rod. Together with police officers, Iron Workers, and other firefighters we looked unsuccessfully for any sign of the missing men. We found the remains of many civilians and those of members of other companies but we never found the guys from 7 Truck.

It was in our down time when we became familiar with the surviving members of the firehouse`s two companies. After the twelve hours on "the pile" when we would talk about the day, the guys from Hillsborough County would listen to the FDNY guys talk about their missing, and by now, presumed dead friends. During that time, is when Jake and I became friends. Night after night he would, after working in the firehouse or on the pile, come out to the "alley" (later officially renamed the Florida Room) next to the firehouse and quietly weep for the lost. It was my job to listen and not interrupt as he told stories about Richie, Chuck, Vernon, and the others.

When we were relieved and returned to Florida, the FDNY guys stayed on and picked up their lives. We came back to help them bury their dead and we even marched in the 2002 Saint Patrick`s Day parade. They came down to visit us for local events and Jake and his wife came down to my retirement party.

Hopefully, with this background, you will be able to understand Jake`s email and why it so important for everyone not to forget. I invite everyone to participate in the memorial that will begin precisely at 8:45 a.m. on September 11, 2006 in the City Park.

Bobby, it`s Jake!!!

I know we haven`t talked in a while but we will always have 9/11 together. If I was able to make it down to Cedar Key for the ceremony I would tell the community what you and the other brothers did for the members on E16/L7 and for the family members on that day and the days to follow. You are always in my thoughts and I will never forget the sacrifice you and your fellow firefighters from Florida did for us in our time of need. Even months after 9/11 you were always there to lend support. The binds that tie us together are 9/11; you will always be my friend until the day I die. Please tell Cedar Key what we went through that terrible day, this country can never forget.

I love you man, Jake