Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Rest In Peace



As the 4th anniversary of Sept. 11th approaches I find myself looking out my window staring at the empty space that was once the World Trade Center. I still can’t believe that a group of people had so much hatred toward us that they had no regard for the sanctity of human life. The memories of that day all came rushing back to me today with the funeral of a hero, a firefighter who died on that day rescuing people.

This morning Firefighter Gerard Baptiste was laid to rest Wednesday with a service at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The street outside St. Patrick’s were lined with 100’s of people paying their respects. Baptiste was one of three firefighters from Ladder 9 in the East Village to die in the terrorist attacks. He was last seen trying to rescue people in the north tower.
Even though there had been a memorial for the firefighter in 2001 it was only last week that his remains were finally identified. “Measured in length, the life of Gerard was surely incomplete. But measured by use it was very full indeed,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.

Thank you Mr. Baptiste, may you rest in peace. You'll forever have my gratitude.



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