Simple Memorial

[rpcrowe]

This is a simple but effective (AT LEAST TO ME) memorial that is put up every year, in Balboa Park, San Diego during the city's St. Patrick's celebration. I shot this a while ago but have just revisited the image and reprocessed it.



The memorial commemorates those many New York City Firefighters who lost their lives responding to the 911 tragedy at the World Trade Center. The 343 on the framed picture doesn't stand for a specific NYFD Company. Rather it stands for the 343 Firefighters who lost their lives on 9-11...
http://www.fdnylodd.com/Memorials/343-Firefighters

However, indirectly, it commemorates all firefighters everywhere; who consistently put their lives on the line for the safety of the people they protect.

[Shadowman]

Very honorable presentation.

[IzzieK]

Very nice for the occasion but why St. Patrick's Day and not on 9/11? Or do they also put it up on that day?

[rpcrowe]

Traditionally many fire departments have identified with Irish-Americans. Because of a very large number of firefighters who are of Irish American heritage. There are many father and sons serving in the New York Fire Department and sometimes the service is several generations in depth.

Some fire departments (New York and San Diego are two) have their Emerald Societies composed of Irish-American firefighters.

This is a unit of the San Diego Fire Department Emerald Society marching in the San Diego Saint Patrick's Parade.





However, while the New York Fire Department still has many Irish American firefighters, it is now a cosmopolitan organization (as are most fire departments) with members from all ethnic and racial groups as the varied surnames of the 343 members who died on 9-11 testify.

[IzzieK]

Very interesting follow up on info Richard. Thank you.