On Monday, Sept. 11, the Milwaukee and Wauwatosa Fire Departments, the Milwaukee Firefighters Honor Guard and the Greater Milwaukee Fire and Police Pipes and Drums will unite to pay tribute to the lives lost in the terrorist attacks on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001.
There will be a series of ceremonies at firehouses across the city, including:
- Firehouse 2, 755 N. James Lovell St.
- Firehouse 7, 3174 S. Chase Ave.
- Firehouse 16, 10320 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
- Firehouse 24, 4927 W. Fiebrantz Ave.
- Firehouse 33, 4515 W. Burnham St.
According to a statement released this morning by Milwaukee Fire Department, "MFD Honor Guard personnel will call attention and present arms for the salute in remembrance of the first tower collapse. A chief officer will begin reading the names of the 343 New York Firefighters who lost their lives, passing the list to department members present so all can take part in the reading."
At 4 p.m. ladder trucks from MFD and Wauwatosa Fire Department will display a large American flag at Miller Park, where there will also be a 343-helmet display at the stadium’s home plate entrance until just after sunset.
Greater Milwaukee Fire and Police Pipes and Drums will perform and later, at 6:40 p.m. Milwaukee Fire Department Battalion Chief Christopher Snyder will sing the national
anthem while the Milwaukee Firefighters Honor Guard presents the colors and Milwaukee Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin Hafemann will throw out the first pitch before the 6:40 p.m. Brewers game.
Earlier in the day, at 8:35 a.m., students, teachers and parents from St. Marcus Lutheran School, will walk over to nearby Engine 21, 2050 N. Palmer St., to hear from MFD Assistant Chief Gerard Washington, observe a moment of silence and present thank you cards to firefighters.
On Purpose Journey STAND Event
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Sept. 9, On Purpose Journey – which founder Mollie Manhattan says, "strives to highlight, appreciate, remember and honor those who serve, as well as those who gave their lives. We unite locally and internationally, to Stand For The Fallen and Stand For Those Who Serve" – will host the 9-9-17 STAND Events at the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Menomonee Falls, N91W15851 Falls Parkway.
The 2 p.m. event will include a ceremony with the posting of colors, the singing of the national anthem, 16 seconds of silence and other tributes, along with beverages and snacks. Attendees will also create care packages for deployed members of the military.
"Sixteen year later, we recall the tragedy that took place as well as the unity around the country and the world," says Manhattan. "We've all heard it, freedom isn't free. Our firefighters, law enforcement and military are our first call, and last resort. Let us teach future generations of the bravery of the fallen. Let us unite, in gratitude, respect, honor and love."
Further details on the event and On Purpose Journey can be found at OnPurposeJourney.com/9-11.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
