Four firefighters, from Huy, made the trip despite health constraints in New York for the 20th anniversary of the attacks. A private trip to express their solidarity with their brothers in arms.
One last glance at the uniform they wear on rare occasions before leaving the hotel. A ceremonial dress on which appears discreetly the number “343”. Belgian firefighters pay attention to detail. “Today, we are very proud to wear it, for the 20th anniversary, to pay tribute to our fellow New York firefighters”, slides Laurent Rasquin, firefighter from Huy.
343 firefighters died trying to save hundreds of people trapped in the twin towers on September 11, 2001. It is to honor their memory that four firefighters, originally from Huy, crossed the Atlantic. And they are not the only ones to have made the trip despite the health constraints. “It was difficult to come “, throws one of them. “I am the representative of the Bouches-du-Rhône fire department and I have been coming here for 10 years, every year”, says Antony Locks, French firefighter.
It really proves that we are passionate about this job
Some Belgian firefighters were already present for the tenth and fifth anniversaries of the commemorations. And they didn’t want to miss this one even though they had to put their hands in their pockets to fund the trip. “It’s a private trip that we have the chance to organize. It really shows that we are passionate about this profession”, breathes Thomas Dony, firefighter from Huy.
A lot of respect for them
In the metro, the four men command respect. “How do you feel about it now, 20 years later? How are you experiencing it?”, asks one of the Belgian firefighters to a passenger in the New York subway. “It’s always sad for me”, she replies.
In front of the September 11 Memorial, firefighters sometimes even arouse the admiration of some visitors. “You don’t go ten meters without being stopped for a photo, to say thank you. It feels like you’re going up the towers ourselves. It’s amazing the respect Americans have for firefighters, the police… Anyone who wears a uniform. It’s impressive “, Laurent Rasquin wonders.
The worst that we could have is to lose a colleague and therefore to return with a colleague less
This is the first time that Fabrice has visited New York. He was not yet a firefighter 20 years ago. But the solidarity between the men of the fire is a value which is dear to him. “The worst that we could have is to lose a colleague and therefore to return with a colleague less. Here, knowing that entire barracks have been decimated, the emotional impact must be terrible”, says Fabrice Dogne, firefighter from Huy.
“We must say to ourselves that the profession of firefighter is a dangerous and difficult profession, adds Thomas Dony. But thanks to our union and our fraternity, we manage to overcome all that and make it a great job. “
Today, firefighters are thinking particularly of those who have disappeared over the past 20 years, as a result of cancer caused by toxic fumes. Indirect victims of the attacks who will remain anonymous.
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