On 9/11, Firefighters Walk To Remember The Fallen

GREENPORT, NY — The distance from the Greenport Firehouse to Cochran Park in Peconic is more than seven miles — and on Tuesday, 9/11, two firefighters set out, their faces lined with grief and memories, to walk to a memorial service and honor the fallen.

Dale Raynor and Bernie Purcell, both members of the Greenport Fire Department, traversed New York State Route 25 from Greenport to Peconic in full uniform, starting out around 2:30 p.m.

With each step, they carried the collective heartbreak of a nation in mourning 17 years after the dark day that ripped the fabric of life in the United States forever. Their journey symbolized the long road of pain that so many families who lost loved ones on 9/11 have walked, all the while honoring the heroes who ran up into burning buildings — showing the fiercest of courage in the face of the worst tragedy and act of terrorism the nation had ever known.

The firefighters headed to the "Remember 9/11" service at Cochran Park, organized by Southold Town's 9/11 Committee and the Southold Town Fire Chiefs Council. Those in attendance placed 2,977 flags at the park in memory of souls lost that day.

Their stride steady and strong, the two firefighters walked intently ahead, focusing on a mission of remembrance and respect. When asked why they'd chosen to set out on their heartfelt journey, Raynor said simply, "It's 9/11."

"We'e doing this for our brothers that died on 9/11," Raynor said.

Scenes from 9/11 memorials and remembrances on Long Island Tuesday:

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.