First responders excluded from 10 year anniversary of 9/11

[DontSayBanana]

I wouldn't call the fate of the first responders "lucky."  As I recall, the ones to get there first were the rescue squads, which were annihilated to the man.  Overall, something like 70% of the firemen and EMTs who had responded died when the towers collapsed.

However, I agree that the wailing about not being included in an event for the families is unprofessional and self-centered.

Given how much of FDNY was decimated (at least one entire station's worth of personnel died on 9/11), I think one could also successfully argue that the firefighters should be counted as "family of the victims."

Also, barring people who were actually there?  Far less class than complaining about being left out.

[grumbler]

Given how much of FDNY was decimated (at least one entire station's worth of personnel died on 9/11), I think one could also successfully argue that the firefighters should be counted as "family of the victims."

While far, far more than "one entire station's worth" of firefighters was lost (almost 350 firemen and EMTs, which is about 10 stations' worth), one cannot argue that the surviving firefighters should be counted as actual family members of the dead firefighters.  Family has a real meaning as well as a purely rhetorical meaning.

Also, barring people who were actually there?  Far less class than complaining about being left out.

Many people who were there are not being admitted to the ceremony, because there simply isn't room.  Nothing low-class in limiting the attendees to those who can be accomodated; quite the reverse, in fact.  What would be low-class is allowing the firefighters to attend and crowd out actual family members.

[grumbler]

I wouldn't call the fate of the first responders "lucky."

yeah, i know. i wasn't being completely serious about that

[CountDeMoney]

What would be low-class is allowing the firefighters to attend and crowd out actual family members.

That was the single concern I had pop in my head as I thought about it; as someone who's attended his fair share of cop funerals, the First Responder community has a habit of...well...let's just say they have a flair for the over-dramatic sometimes.  Every fire apparatus in the 5 Bs as well as Joisey and Longiland would be there.

Want to be a First Responder and remember your fellows the best way you can on the 9/11 anniversary?  Be on duty during it.

[11B4V]

What would be low-class is allowing the firefighters to attend and crowd out actual family members.

First Responder community has a habit of...well...let's just say they have a flair for the over-dramatic sometimes. 

+1

[Siege]

Article says families of the stiffs.

Really, Yi?  Even the victims of our greatest national tragedy aren't spared from your hipsterisms?

It was 10 years ago. Get over it already.

Why don't you die already?

[Siege]

"The best of the best that this country offered 10 years ago are being neglected and denied their rightful place," Feal said.

well, that's hardly true. they were just lucky to be on the scene quicker than others, or that's just when their shift was. do they really want special commendation for doing their job? denise, you're crying because you're a fucking cunt

You are a fucking cunt too!

[LaCroix]

Also, barring people who were actually there?  Far less class than complaining about being left out.

@siege: no, you!

[The Minsky Moment]

Want to be a First Responder and remember your fellows the best way you can on the 9/11 anniversary?  Be on duty during it.

Amen.

I am personally commerating 9/11 by flying between 2 major US cities.

[The Brain]

I once levitated somewhere between Atlanta and Miami.

[DGuller]

That's pretty greedy of them.  They were in Ground Zero long enough, they should let other people spend some time there.