Thursday, September 22, 2011

A September 11th memory

Reprinted from Navy Medicine November-December 2001.

My name is Daniel Smith of the Skokie IL. Fire Department. Myself and five other firefighters recently stayed aboard the USNS Comfort deployed to New York City after the September 11th terrorist attack on the WTC. The Comfort was to serve as a mass casualty hospital facility. With few survivors the roll of the Comfort was changed to house and feed rescue personnel working at the trade center site.

The hospitality of the Comfort's crew was exceptional. We were bunked and fed by a very caring and helpful group of Officers and enlisted personnel. We could never board or leave ship without someone insisting on us eating. We are grateful to the Marines who guarded the ship, patrolled the dock area and controlled the access to the ship. This gave us great peace of mind while being preoccupied by the loss of our brother firefighters.

I extend a gratitude of thanks to Navy Department, Navy Medicine and the Comfort's Captain and the crew for JOB WELL DONE.

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