Ask firefighters where they were on September 11, and the answer will be instantaneous. In the 15 years since the single deadliest day in the American fire service, we continue to do everything we can to keep our promise to never forget-just as we remember Pearl Harbor Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. Honoring our fallen brethren from 9/11 is, in reality, not the hardest thing we do. Often, the hardest thing we do is convincing others of the need to always remember and helping children who were not even alive in 2001 to understand the tremendous sacrifice that was made on that day.
Ask your firefighters to remember where they were on February 17, 2001. March 18. April 8. June 17. July 10. August 27. These are all dates of multiple line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) that also occurred in 2001. As we appropriately take the time to stop what we are doing and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, let us also pause to remember the other firefighters who died in 2001.
The lost brothers and sisters are Gilmore W. Stitley; Richard D. Buongiorne; Andrew J. White; William “Willie” L. Thompson; Donald Franklin; Christopher D. Towne; James H. Haigler; Jack K. Barker; Johnny McKinley; Cecil F. Smith; Gregg J. McLoughlin; Kenneth J. Frayne; Jay P. Jahnke; Robert H. Marsh; Michael G. Elliott; James T. Smith; James H. Hanson; Hairold J. Strode; Clifford A. White; Dennis A. Dart; Paula J. Varble; Gary L. Cruise; George Danielson; Debra Sinard ; Ralph E. Vance; David Butler; Clint A. Talley; Mike L. McKean; Barry Wollman; Lloyd E. Curtis; Donald L. Nester; James I. Isberner; Dana Johnson; Matthew D. Smith; Mary L. Waite; Carl W. Shoemaker; Ray W. Lloyd; Gerald W. Fields; Bret R. Tarver; William James; Robert J. Winner; Jay A. Shaffer; David Mullaney; Frank Whitby; William A. Ellison; James T. Heenan; Christopher D. Kobierowski; Brian Reed; Woodrow W. Poland; Dale F. Simpson; James A. Rupkey; Brian S. Richter; Scott B. Wilson; Anthony V. Murdick; Richard Canouse; Willard Christoffer; Ritchie Eutsler; Lawrence J. Webb; Donald E. Souza; Alberto Tirado; Carl V. Cook; John J. Downing; Brian D. Fahey; Harry S. Ford; Jeremy D. Chandler; Willard B. Paul; Travis L. Brown; Jim Clingenpeel; Jack H. Fowler; Thomas A. Johnson; Joe M. Vargason; Marcus A. Walters; Douglas W. Gilbert; Cynthia J. Verburg; Tom L. Craven; Karen L. Fitzpatrick; Jessica L. Johnson; Devin A. Weaver; Jeffrey V. Chavis; Eddie D. Mathis; Donald D. Myrick; Kirk J. Schafer; Lazaro Martinez; Ralph W. Blackmar; James M. Pelton; Ronald T. Kreamer; Richard D. Shoaf; John R. Hazlett; Lars Stratte; Lawrence L. Groff; Michael J. Gorumba; Darryl Dzugen; Charles R. Drennan; Willie Barns; Linda Hernandez; Clarence Kreitzer; Bradley P. Golden; Wayne A. Steen; Daniel N. Woodward; David R. Rendek; William E. Bennett; Robert A. Augustyn; and Allan Marriott.
Remembering All
Between January 10, 2001, and December 24, 2001, the men and women listed above gave their lives in service to others. Although their sacrifice was no less important than those who died on September 11, it is safe to say that their deaths were eclipsed by the circumstances of that day. But they do not need to be forgotten. As we remember our brothers from 9/11, let us take a moment to learn about these heroes who also gave the last full measure of devotion to their communities. Company officers looking to teach the “brotherhood” to a new generation of millennials: Direct them to research the men and women listed on this page, one at a time, and report on them. Your “probies” or “booters” can report their findings during morning roll call, a weekly training night, at mealtime, or on the anniversary of the firefighter’s death.
September 11 taught us that we are vulnerable to attack. Today, we remain susceptible as the events in Orlando, Nice, San Bernardino, and other locations demonstrate. These events prove that there is likely no way to stop a single individual bent on destroying others. But, there is much that we can control, and one of the things we are most in control of is learning the lessons from past LODDs to avoid the same road.
By remembering all of our fallen brothers and sisters, we honor their lives and their sacrifice. One hundred three-that’s the number of firefighters who died in 2001 who are not connected to the events of 9/11. As we remember the 343 who died on that day, and the numerous others who have died since, let us never forget all of those who died in 2001.
