Firefighters dedicate memorial to public servants of Sept. 11

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kelly Ann Charland
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Desire to serve. Ability to perform. Courage to act.

These are the inspirational words that the 514th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters live by.

The motto can also be found stretched around the firefighter's badge that is part of a new memorial which serves as a reminder of the sacrifices of the fallen heroes of Sept. 11th.

The squadron's fire-rescue flight dedicated the memorial, which sits outside the firehouse here, Sept. 24. It includes an American flag that was flown over Kirkuk, Iraq, on Sept. 11, 2008, and a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.

Master Sgt. Jack Dunne, assistant fire chief, delivered a speech at the dedication, describing the memorial as a symbol of the strength and resolve of the American people.

"We honor all the first responders who bravely answered the call to duty and heroically performed fire suppression, rescue and recovery operations and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Dunne said.

What Dunne didn't mention was that many of those first responders were Airmen from the 514th Air Mobility Wing. The firefighters at the ceremony wanted no individual recognition for their actions. Instead, they wanted the memorial to stand for those who sacrificed themselves for their duty during Sept. 11 tragedy.