I learned a valuable lesson Sunday.
Writing about the cost of 9/11 – including the soldiers who laid down their lives defending our freedom – is one thing.
Meeting the relatives of those brave men in person, shaking their hands, seeing the effect that 9/11 – and the two wars that grew out of it – has had on their lives, is something else altogether.
It’s a very humbling experience.
I have spoken to a lot of groups since becoming editor of this newspaper in 1999. I don’t think I’ve ever been as honored as I was yesterday. I was asked to deliver some remarks about the value of local firefighters, EMS, police and law enforcement, and our soldiers have in our communities.
That only was cemented when I got to shake the hand and greet James and Peg Fordyce, the mother and father of Marine Sgt. James Fordyce.
And when I greeted the large contingent of family of Army Specialist Michael Smith.
When I met the parents of Army Staff Sgt. Joe Kane of Darby Borough.
I was a bit taken aback when Brenda Phelan, the widow fo Army Lt. Col. Mark Phelan, thanked me and the newspaper for all that we have done.
No, Mrs. Phelan. Thank you. And thank all the families who took part in yesterday’s remembrance.
Never forget.
Writing about the cost of 9/11 – including the soldiers who laid down their lives defending our freedom – is one thing.
Meeting the relatives of those brave men in person, shaking their hands, seeing the effect that 9/11 – and the two wars that grew out of it – has had on their lives, is something else altogether.
It’s a very humbling experience.
I have spoken to a lot of groups since becoming editor of this newspaper in 1999. I don’t think I’ve ever been as honored as I was yesterday. I was asked to deliver some remarks about the value of local firefighters, EMS, police and law enforcement, and our soldiers have in our communities.
That only was cemented when I got to shake the hand and greet James and Peg Fordyce, the mother and father of Marine Sgt. James Fordyce.
And when I greeted the large contingent of family of Army Specialist Michael Smith.
When I met the parents of Army Staff Sgt. Joe Kane of Darby Borough.
I was a bit taken aback when Brenda Phelan, the widow fo Army Lt. Col. Mark Phelan, thanked me and the newspaper for all that we have done.
No, Mrs. Phelan. Thank you. And thank all the families who took part in yesterday’s remembrance.
Never forget.
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