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JBB firefighters, SF Airmen honor FDNY, NYPD

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jake Richmond
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  Firefighters and security forces Airmen here held a "Last Alarm" ceremony at the JBB Fire Station Sept. 11, 2009, honoring the first responders who died in the wreckage of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks of 2001.

"We wanted to take the opportunity to remember the firefighters and the police officers who had fallen during 9/11," said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Katz, JBB fire chief. "Additionally, we found out that we had folks who are part of NYPD and FDNY (deployed) here."

Two Reservists assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron each accepted an American flag on behalf of the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department.

Both of the Airmen -- Staff Sgt. Robert Roach and Tech. Sgt. Nadine Pinto -- are deployed here from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. When they're not wearing their U.S. military uniforms, Sergeant Roach serves as an FDNY firefighter in Brooklyn, and Sergeant Pinto serves as an evidence control officer for the NYPD.

"The Last Alarm ceremony is used to recognize fallen firefighters," said Master Sgt. Timothy Rickard, deputy fire chief, who helped organize the event. "In every fire department, the alarm, ringing of a bell or a tone starts off the alarm. When we have a fallen firefighter, we do the last alarm to signify that they aren't able to respond anymore and it was their last call."

On this day, the firefighters' respectful ritual extended to their fellow first responders.

"Firemen, police, medics -- any kind of first responder -- there's a connection between us all," said Senior Airman Brian Gunkel, a JBB firefighter. "And with that comes respect. We can rely on each other. It's a brotherhood."

After a chaplain's prayer, Soldiers and Airmen lowered the flag together in a retreat ceremony and then folded it while the national anthem played. Five tones then rang out, signifying the last alarm.

While Sergeants Roach and Pinto stood at attention in front of the formation, Chief Katz formally presented each of them with a flag, both of which had been raised and flown that day on the fire department's pole.

"It's really an honor to be here today and to accept this flag on behalf of all the innocent lives lost that day," said Sergeant Pinto. "They're never forgotten -- not one day goes by. We need to stay strong, stay in contact with all of those families, and never give up the fight."