Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company Remembers 9-11 Victims

A little before 7 p.m. on Saturday night, a small crowd had gathered in front of Fire Station No. 1 on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Glen Ellyn. Half the road had been blocked in front of the firehouse where a group of chairs were set up facing a podium alongside a statue of a firefighter that sits in front of the firehouse.

As the sky turned a light pink, members of Glen Ellyn's Volunteer Fire Company filed into line facing the statue.

"It's hard to forget days like today," resident Christine Fiebig said as she and her husband watched the crowd. She had a nephew who worked a few blocks away from the World Trade Center in New York City, and wondered aloud how hard it must have been for him to explain to his children the events of that day.

As the crowd hushed three Glen Ellyn firefighters made their way to the podium. One of them, Craig Eldridge, stepped forward and spoke into the microphone.

"On behalf of the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, thank you for coming and remembering," Eldridge began.

The firefighters then played a series of audio clips of first responders at the scene. By far the most emotional moment of the night, the crowd was silent as those voices over the radio echoed down the street.

"We gather to commemorate the nearly 3,000 innocent people that died that day," Eldridge continued. "Today we stand here as a fire company, a community and a nation."

As the vigil continued, the fire company lit a series of candles displayed behind the flagpoles, the two largest of which represented the Tribute of Light memorial in New York City.

The crowd then took part in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before the firefighters stood at attention while Taps was played and the American Flag was slowly lowered to half-mast. The ceremony ended with the tolling of the bell as the crowd took part in a moment of silence and remembrance.

"I think it's important to remember a day like today and to come out this evening," resident Derek Barella said. Barella brought his family to the event, explaining that it was important to share the ceremony as a family and remember those who made such a great sacrifice that day.

Cpt. Bob Belanger of the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, who has over 30 years of experience with the company, said that the service is done each year in the spirit of camaraderie.

"I don't get emotional very often," Belanger said, "But this…. No one can imagine it."

As Craig Eldridge sat down at his desk to write his speech for the night's ceremony, he said his gaze became fixed on a small flag that rested in a coffee cup on his desk.

"I was at work, and I just looked at this tiny flag." Eldridge said. "I decided that's what I wanted to write about: what the colors on the flag stand for."

But perhaps the greatest testament to the night's symbolism was not the firefighters who stood at attention for the lowering of the flag, but those who couldn't be there. They were at the firehouse working, not for a paycheck, but volunteering to go into action, for just a dollar a year.