911 Never Forget
Opinion

9/11: Never Forget?

It’s ironic that the slogan of September 11 is “Never Forget,” but the emergency workers who helped with the recovery on that disastrous day 10 years ago were denied entry to the 9/11 National Memorial on the tenth anniversary this year.

Mayor Bloomberg of New York City released a statement that first responders are not invited to the opening ceremony. However, political figures like George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama are invited, along with thousands of family members of victims. First responders are more than welcome to stand outside of the memorial on September 11, 2011 but will not be allowed inside.

The city has told the 90,000 first responders that there is no room for them at the ceremony. They are outraged to say the least and I am not surprised. Other first responders have admitted to never being invited by the city to any national events. They feel disrespected and betrayed. I believe that if the city wished to show their gratitude towards the first responders, they would have been at the top of the guest list for the memorial. Of course the families of victims should be a priority, but Bloomberg is not giving a good enough reason for first responders being denied an invitation.

Other first responders feel if the city honors them, it will give an example to others. By thanking the people who help our country in their most dire hour of need, it will encourage others to do the same in other crises. It will even give other countries the example that America can take care of itself when necessary. I believe that people need to see its country coming together. When they do, it helps open people’s eyes to others less fortunate and brings the country closer together.

Bloomberg is trying to find other ways to honor the emergency workers. After the opening of the memorial on September 11, 2011, it will be open to the public, but reservations are to be made in advance. Bloomberg is discussing ideas to dedicate another time and date for first responders only to attend the memorial, but first responders are still not happy. Some feel as if they were allowed to attend the opening of the memorial, they would be able to get closure from the disaster. Bruce Adler, a first responder who dispatched firefighters and NYPD to Ground Zero on the day of the attack wishes to attend the memorial so he may bond with others who experienced the tragedy firsthand like himself, according to Yahoo.com.

I believe that even though the first responders may not have had family members involved in September 11th, they still need closure. Some emergency workers have been affected more than people think. Bonnie Giebfried, an emergency technician at the time of the attack, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, a failing liver and kidneys, a crushed arm, elbow, and wrist, chronic fatigue, encroaching lupus, and other diseases, according to CNN.com She said that all of these medical problems were caused by the dust, debris, and other substances that she was exposed to on 9/11. Realistically, she knows that being invited to the memorial will not cure her of her illnesses, but it may show her that her heroic deeds are finally appreciated.

However, the lack of invitation to first responders is not a shock to the emergency workers. For the last nine years, first responders were not allowed into the memorial. I believe that is truly sickening. First responders are entitled to more respect and gratitude for what they have done. They risked their lives to rescue people who may have been mere strangers. Without first responders, most of the people who escaped would have been killed. They do not deserve to be placed on the back-burner. They deserve to be honored and thanked for their deeds.

PHOTO COURTESY of 9/11memorial.org