Remember September 11, 2001 – When Our First Responders Did What They Are Dedicated To Doing Everyday, As Always

In too many ways, “9/11” seems too far away, to too many people as a relevant touchstone for today. [1]

The typical senior at Saline High School this year were infants that Tuesday, seventeen years ago. The closest impact sight, where Flight 93 is memorialized, is over 350 miles away. The stories that once consumed all of the twenty-four-hour news cycle and more, now the stuff of history archives. [2]

Appropriately, anniversaries such as this are times to recall ongoing impacts, needs, and obligations. But the vast majority of Americans have moved on with their lives. And they did so because they could do so. [3]

In part, this is because of the ongoing service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States military. Many individuals, too — most of whom are very far away. [4]

But it’s not hard to feel connections closer to home. Sometime over the summer, everyone has seen Michigan State Troopers on duty. Sometime in the last month, everyone has seen a Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Deputy. Sometime in the last week, everyone has seen an officer in this community with the Saline Police Department. [5,6,7]

One would hope never to see members of the Saline Fire Department or Huron Valley Ambulance on official dispatch. But they’re always available 24/7 if needed. Washtenaw County also supports an Emergency Services Division that provides leadership for both Emergency Operations and Metro Dispatch; County resources also include recommendations for individual preparedness. [8,9,10,11]

This is a vital sampling of the first responders that we are remembering today, in so many ways that are both very close and very personal.

References

1. “9/11 Attacks” History.
2. “Flight 93 National Memorial, Pennsylvania” National Park Service.
3. “Jon Stewart joins former 9/11 responders in call for health care” (September 5, 2018) Today.
4. “Uniformed Services” Department of Defense, United States of America.
5. Michigan State Police (home page).
6. Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County Michigan (home page).
7. “Police Department” City of Saline.
8. “Saline Area Fire Department” City of Saline.
9. HVA (home page).
10. “Emergency Services/911” Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County Michigan.
11. “Emergency Preparedness” Health Department, Washtenaw County Michigan.