| It’s been
a week since the first memorial service I attended in New York.
It usually doesn’t take long for me
to sit down and start writing, but this time even I’m at a loss for words. With
the FDNY Memorial scheduled for the 18th of November at Madison Square Garden
postponed, I was among the thousands of Firefighters who still migrated to “The
City” to attend funerals and memorial services.
I researched where and when to go. My hopes were to attend at least two services
each day since there are several daily. The problem is they’re scattered from
Long Island to Queens to Staten Island and throughout the city. So I picked two,
one for Friday and one for Saturday. On Friday we headed to Long Island for
the service of our Brother Michael Otten of Engine 40. The directions worked
out well and we exited the Long Island Expressway on route 213 heading for the
church. I knew we were getting close. Then at a light someone called to me. “Are
you headed for the funeral?” He asked. Yes we are I replied. The church is a
couple blocks ahead. Follow me he told us. He was an older guy with a tab over
the FDNY patch of his class A’s that read “retired.” Many of the old timers are
suited up for the services. With so many each day they need everyone that can
attend to do so. At the church the crowd was growing. We were from everywhere,
California, Washington State, Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Florida amongst
many others. They came from as far as the United Kingdom and Germany. It was
great to see such a turnout.
We waited out front and could hear the bagpipes prepping in the background.
We talked and waited for the call to fall in. When it came some 300 Firefighters
in a line 2 deep stood tall as the pounding of the drums and the somber wail
of the pipes drew closer. The call of Hand Salute went out and we all stood at
attention and saluted as the procession passed by. One thing I will always remember
is the young Son, maybe 6 standing in his full dress FDNY uniform saluting, his
little hand perfectly straight at the brim of his hat. When the Family entered
the church the call to fall out was given. I waited to be sure that all the FDNY
members who wanted to had made it inside before I entered myself. My Wife had
come along and was already inside. I was directed to a seat in the sea of blue
that filled the church. Family and friends were spread throughout, the room was
filled to capacity and beyond I’m sure.
The service was amazing and listening to Family, Friends and members of Engine
40 (the Cavemen as they’re called) talk gave us the opportunity to get to know
Michael a little. More than the fact he was our Brother, we now had a small idea
of what a great person he was to know, love and work with. When the service
ended we filed out, took our places in line and saluted as the procession passed
once again. The call came to fall out and many headed off to a local station
for refreshments, we said our goodbyes and headed to the car for the ride back
to Connecticut.
It was an incredible honor to be there with our Brothers and Sisters. I thought
I did pretty well, I assumed I’d
be a blubbering idiot. Sure I cried like the rest but not like I thought I
would. Heading back down the L.I.E. (Long Island Expressway) we passed a tower
truck that was at the service. Hitting the horn as we passed got waves from
all on the truck. I thought to myself God watch over them.
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