The 23rd anniversary of 9/11 came under a leaden sky in Grays Harbor as various agencies and residents remember the ghastly acts of terrorism in ceremonies or in their own way.
At the Ocean Shores Fire Department, firefighters reflected on the day, which carries a particular legacy for their profession, where the strikes in New York wiped out entire units in the shattering catastrophe, alongside mass casualties in all first responder agencies in the city.
“I’d have to say that it all depends on the generation that you are,” said Assistant Chief Mike Mandella, who grew up in Staten Island and came from Seattle to assist in the desperate rescue efforts, in an interview. “For old timers who have been around since 2001, it really makes you remember and try to visualize what that must have been like. We see the TV clips and the TV clips don’t do it justice.”
Mandella has a collection of panoramic-aspect photos in his office from the tragedy showing the haze around New York City, the gnarled wreckage of what used to be the Twin Towers, the scorching and damage to the surrounding buildings.
“They used to say ‘never forget,’” Mandella said. “People have forgotten.”
Chief Brian Ritter spoke in a brief ceremony out front of the firehouse to a crowd of dozens.
“I think it’s important that across the country we all remember and pay tribute. It really struck to the core of our mission. It makes us realize we were human,” Ritter said. “They lost complete houses of their brothers and sister. Complete shifts.”
Mandella said you can’t allow the tragedy to drag you down.
“We get back together once a year. Think about it. And then move on,” Mandella said.
The day also buttresses the sense of service, Mandella said, in a personal sense. 9/11 is also the anniversary of the 1995 crash of an Airlift Northwest medevac helicopter in the Puget Sound which killed a pilot and two flight nurses, an organization dear to Mandella’s heart, he said.
“It reinforces in all ages, in all generations, of why we became firefighters. That’s put public service, number one. Put yourself at risk for someone you never met,” Mandella said. “It’s about the public. You don’t make a million dollars. But you do get to look in the mirror every day. It’s an important job. And you’re doing the right thing.”
Ritter echoed the sentiment.
“9/11 changed the fabric of the fire service forever,” Ritter said. “It’s about giving back to people and serving each other. I believe that’s the most important thing we can do while walking this earth.”
The ceremony was performed with assistance from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8956 Auxiliary, who recently donated a ceremonial bell to Ocean Shores Fire Department that they’d fundraised for, said Emily Arnold, president of the Post Auxiliary.
The bell was presented to the fire department on Monday night in a dinner hosted at the VFW.
Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or michael.lockett@thedailyworld.com.
Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Photos from Ocean Shores’ Assistant Fire Chief Mike Mandella show some of the appalling devestation wrought during 9/11 in New York City.
The VFW Post Auxiliary in Ocean Shores recently donated a ceremonial bell to the fire department. (Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World)
Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World Firefighters and residents gathered Wednesday at the Ocean Shores Fire Department to remember 9/11.
Michael S. Lockett / The Daily World A set of empty bunker gear symbolizes the dead in a 9/11 ceremony of remembrance at the Ocean Shores Fire Department.
