GROUND ZERO FIREFIGHTERS STRIKE UP A SPECIAL BOND WITH OMAGH COUNTERPARTS
Ground Zero Firefighters strike up a special bond with Omagh counterparts
By Karen McPhilemy
M0RE than 70 of New York's most courageous firefighters have made a poignant journey from the scene of the world's worst terrorist atrocity to Omagh, the scene of Northern Ireland's most deadly attack.
The men who were involved in the recovery process at 'Ground Zero', the very heart of the September 11attack on New York City's World Trade Centre, arrived in Omagh on Monday as part of their tour of Ireland.
As they and America,start out on the long journey towards healing, they had a chance to learn how Tyrone people have travelled that same route in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb of August 1998.
The thinking behind the visit to Ireland, which began on Friday, was to visit families and birthplaces of firefighters lost or injured following the September 11 atrocity.
One of those was Michael Lyons, whose late mother was formerly from Mountjoy, Omagh. Just two years ago Michael returned to Omagh for her burial at Knockmoyle.
Because of the close links of terrorist atrocities which all hope are now a thing of the past-the New York firefighters chose Omagh as their only stop in the Northern Ireland.
The visit to Omagh was organised by Omagh district councillor, Paddy McGowan, a former member of the Fire Service in Omagh.
Speaking about the visit Mr McGowan said he felt it only appropriate that they should be invited here due the town's links with the late firefighter,
During their visit to the Omagh Leisure Complex the visitors were officially welcomed by the chairman of the Omagh District Council, Mr Barry McElduff, who expressed empathy towards the firefighters and described their admirable heroic efforts as brave and courageous.
Attending the welcoming service at the leisure complex were members of the family of Michael Lyons, who met with Michael's fellow team workers.
Speaking personally to the various family members was New York firefighter, Mr Jim Long. He told the 'Tyrone Constitution': "I had worked with Michael for almost five years and in the previous summer both myself and Michael attended an academy as instructors.
"We were close friends and with Michael's knowledge of engineering he was always very helpful on the job. On that fateful day Michael shone like he always did at his work and he will be sadly missed by us all.
"It has been nice to be able to speak to some of his family and see his some of his Irish heritage," he said.
Searched
For two weeks following the atrocity rescuers searched for Michael Lyons in the Trade Centre rubble, but unfortunately his body was never recovered.
Aged 32, Michael was a father of two, 21-month-old Caitlyn and six-month-old Mary Michael, who was born three months after his death.
Michael, who was very much dedicated to the job, in March 1996 received recognition in March 1996 from 'The New York Post' after he successfully rescued a 70-year-old woman from the fifth floor of a burning Harlem apartment. Michael and a colleague dragged the woman to the hallway landing of the apartment where they performed CPR as the fire raged around them.
Proud father
Recalling his memories of Michael, his 81-year-old uncle, John Taggart, said: "He was a wonderful man and a very proud father. Michael was due to come over this year in July to visit. But unfortunately that wasn't meant to be, I am glad to be here today to see his fellow workers, as this is as close as we can get to him now."
The firefighters' visit to Omagh began at the Ulster American Folk Park, where they were welcomed by Park superviser, Richard Hurst and Mr McGowan.
Officially welcoming the guests, Mr McGowan expressed his appreciation to them for deciding to visit Omagh as part of their tour.
"I am very pleased to be here today and share with all of you the troubles that we have faced. Your problem was on a much bigger scale than ours, but as you are aware that doesn't matter, it doesn't minimise the extent of grief and mourning of such terrible tragedies.
"I was there minutes after that tragedy in Omagh and helped out in the aftermath, and so in that sense I, like many others in this town, can identify with you in the emotions and feelings which you all felt on the day of September 11."
During their brief visit to the Folk Park the firefighters, accompanied by 30 other individuals, five pipers and two drummers, were treated to a lunch reception, and a guided tour, which included a walk through 'The Ship' and 'The Hughes House'.
The visitors, guided by Mr McGowan, then made their way into the town centre where they paraded to the Omagh bomb site and then the garden of remembrance for a minute's silence.
After this emotional visit, the firefighters went on to the Omagh Fire Station.
Solidarity
Having met with their Northern Ireland counterparts in the Fire Service, the men, shook hands in solidarity with the local firemen, calling each one them "brother".
Sub-officer at the Newtownstewart Fire Brigade Station, Mr Pat McGillion, spoke of how he felt when his granddaughter, Brenda Devine, was killed in the Omagh bomb and of his son, Gary and his wife, Donna-Marie, and their struggle to recovery after they were badly injured.
He said "I personally can feel a sense of identity between myself and the people here today. Three years later I still feel angry when I walk past the site of the bomb and can still feel the emotions. "The wounds will always be there but I would say to the people here today to keep charging on because there have to be better days ahead for us all, and I am sure that some day there will be."
Memorable
During the visit at the fire station, the local district commander, Mr Robert Harper, described the visit as memorable.
He told the visitors:"It was with great sadness that we watched what happened in your country. Everyone in this end of the world were shocked by the atrocious attacks.
"The remarkable way in which the firefighters dealt with the burning buildings will be imprinted in our hearts and minds for many years. As you all selflessly gave the ultimate sacrifice as firefighters your lives.
"Northern Ireland has had more of its share of troubles, one of them being the Omagh attack in 1998 and during that day the staff and firemen here also dealt with the aftermath and the personal grief. So therefore we can identify with what you have and are still going through."
After a minute's silence was held for those lost or injured in both terrorist attacks and for their bereaved, a presentation of a plaque was made by Mr Harper and the sub-divisional commander Mr Gerry Warren to Bill Whelan, president of the Fire Department Emerald Society in New York. In turn he presented a plaque on behalf of the New York Firefighters.
Terrible time
Bronx firefighter Bill Woods described the events that unfolded in New York as a terrible time for the American people.
He added that so far his colleagues had attended 400 funeral services for workmates, some of whose bodies were never recovered from the wreckage.
"The atmosphere here has been uplifting for us all and the people everywhere have been outstanding. Already we have visited three sites of tragedy on our tour and to be there and share our experiences is the bind that pulls us all together," said Mr Woods.
Describing firemen both in Omagh and New York as 'brothers", Mr Whelan said: "I do not have words to describe how we feel about coming here, it is fantastic. We wanted to come to Omagh because of the tragedy here, the tragedies the people have suffered and the tragedy we have suffered in New York.
"We are all brothers, we are all in the same business. We know what they went through and they know what are going through, so we wanted to show our support for them.
"With the reception we have received throughout our visit we feel like superstars and this is something we are not used to. We are ordinary people with ordinary jobs, people say we are heroes because of what we do, but we're not. What we do depends on the circumstances that unfolds everyday and we just go out there and do what we have to.
"We wanted to come up and talk to the Omagh people and see how they have moved on, as we are still in the recovery stages and a lot of work still needs to be done in Ground Zero."
Mr Whelan, who added that to date 127 people are still missing, said that over 4,000 firefighters were active on that day and that the emotions of those men were still very much paper thin.
By Karen McPhilemy
M0RE than 70 of New York's most courageous firefighters have made a poignant journey from the scene of the world's worst terrorist atrocity to Omagh, the scene of Northern Ireland's most deadly attack.
The men who were involved in the recovery process at 'Ground Zero', the very heart of the September 11attack on New York City's World Trade Centre, arrived in Omagh on Monday as part of their tour of Ireland.
As they and America,start out on the long journey towards healing, they had a chance to learn how Tyrone people have travelled that same route in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb of August 1998.
The thinking behind the visit to Ireland, which began on Friday, was to visit families and birthplaces of firefighters lost or injured following the September 11 atrocity.
One of those was Michael Lyons, whose late mother was formerly from Mountjoy, Omagh. Just two years ago Michael returned to Omagh for her burial at Knockmoyle.
Because of the close links of terrorist atrocities which all hope are now a thing of the past-the New York firefighters chose Omagh as their only stop in the Northern Ireland.
The visit to Omagh was organised by Omagh district councillor, Paddy McGowan, a former member of the Fire Service in Omagh.
Speaking about the visit Mr McGowan said he felt it only appropriate that they should be invited here due the town's links with the late firefighter,
During their visit to the Omagh Leisure Complex the visitors were officially welcomed by the chairman of the Omagh District Council, Mr Barry McElduff, who expressed empathy towards the firefighters and described their admirable heroic efforts as brave and courageous.
Attending the welcoming service at the leisure complex were members of the family of Michael Lyons, who met with Michael's fellow team workers.
Speaking personally to the various family members was New York firefighter, Mr Jim Long. He told the 'Tyrone Constitution': "I had worked with Michael for almost five years and in the previous summer both myself and Michael attended an academy as instructors.
"We were close friends and with Michael's knowledge of engineering he was always very helpful on the job. On that fateful day Michael shone like he always did at his work and he will be sadly missed by us all.
"It has been nice to be able to speak to some of his family and see his some of his Irish heritage," he said.
Searched
For two weeks following the atrocity rescuers searched for Michael Lyons in the Trade Centre rubble, but unfortunately his body was never recovered.
Aged 32, Michael was a father of two, 21-month-old Caitlyn and six-month-old Mary Michael, who was born three months after his death.
Michael, who was very much dedicated to the job, in March 1996 received recognition in March 1996 from 'The New York Post' after he successfully rescued a 70-year-old woman from the fifth floor of a burning Harlem apartment. Michael and a colleague dragged the woman to the hallway landing of the apartment where they performed CPR as the fire raged around them.
Proud father
Recalling his memories of Michael, his 81-year-old uncle, John Taggart, said: "He was a wonderful man and a very proud father. Michael was due to come over this year in July to visit. But unfortunately that wasn't meant to be, I am glad to be here today to see his fellow workers, as this is as close as we can get to him now."
The firefighters' visit to Omagh began at the Ulster American Folk Park, where they were welcomed by Park superviser, Richard Hurst and Mr McGowan.
Officially welcoming the guests, Mr McGowan expressed his appreciation to them for deciding to visit Omagh as part of their tour.
"I am very pleased to be here today and share with all of you the troubles that we have faced. Your problem was on a much bigger scale than ours, but as you are aware that doesn't matter, it doesn't minimise the extent of grief and mourning of such terrible tragedies.
"I was there minutes after that tragedy in Omagh and helped out in the aftermath, and so in that sense I, like many others in this town, can identify with you in the emotions and feelings which you all felt on the day of September 11."
During their brief visit to the Folk Park the firefighters, accompanied by 30 other individuals, five pipers and two drummers, were treated to a lunch reception, and a guided tour, which included a walk through 'The Ship' and 'The Hughes House'.
The visitors, guided by Mr McGowan, then made their way into the town centre where they paraded to the Omagh bomb site and then the garden of remembrance for a minute's silence.
After this emotional visit, the firefighters went on to the Omagh Fire Station.
Solidarity
Having met with their Northern Ireland counterparts in the Fire Service, the men, shook hands in solidarity with the local firemen, calling each one them "brother".
Sub-officer at the Newtownstewart Fire Brigade Station, Mr Pat McGillion, spoke of how he felt when his granddaughter, Brenda Devine, was killed in the Omagh bomb and of his son, Gary and his wife, Donna-Marie, and their struggle to recovery after they were badly injured.
He said "I personally can feel a sense of identity between myself and the people here today. Three years later I still feel angry when I walk past the site of the bomb and can still feel the emotions. "The wounds will always be there but I would say to the people here today to keep charging on because there have to be better days ahead for us all, and I am sure that some day there will be."
Memorable
During the visit at the fire station, the local district commander, Mr Robert Harper, described the visit as memorable.
He told the visitors:"It was with great sadness that we watched what happened in your country. Everyone in this end of the world were shocked by the atrocious attacks.
"The remarkable way in which the firefighters dealt with the burning buildings will be imprinted in our hearts and minds for many years. As you all selflessly gave the ultimate sacrifice as firefighters your lives.
"Northern Ireland has had more of its share of troubles, one of them being the Omagh attack in 1998 and during that day the staff and firemen here also dealt with the aftermath and the personal grief. So therefore we can identify with what you have and are still going through."
After a minute's silence was held for those lost or injured in both terrorist attacks and for their bereaved, a presentation of a plaque was made by Mr Harper and the sub-divisional commander Mr Gerry Warren to Bill Whelan, president of the Fire Department Emerald Society in New York. In turn he presented a plaque on behalf of the New York Firefighters.
Terrible time
Bronx firefighter Bill Woods described the events that unfolded in New York as a terrible time for the American people.
He added that so far his colleagues had attended 400 funeral services for workmates, some of whose bodies were never recovered from the wreckage.
"The atmosphere here has been uplifting for us all and the people everywhere have been outstanding. Already we have visited three sites of tragedy on our tour and to be there and share our experiences is the bind that pulls us all together," said Mr Woods.
Describing firemen both in Omagh and New York as 'brothers", Mr Whelan said: "I do not have words to describe how we feel about coming here, it is fantastic. We wanted to come to Omagh because of the tragedy here, the tragedies the people have suffered and the tragedy we have suffered in New York.
"We are all brothers, we are all in the same business. We know what they went through and they know what are going through, so we wanted to show our support for them.
"With the reception we have received throughout our visit we feel like superstars and this is something we are not used to. We are ordinary people with ordinary jobs, people say we are heroes because of what we do, but we're not. What we do depends on the circumstances that unfolds everyday and we just go out there and do what we have to.
"We wanted to come up and talk to the Omagh people and see how they have moved on, as we are still in the recovery stages and a lot of work still needs to be done in Ground Zero."
Mr Whelan, who added that to date 127 people are still missing, said that over 4,000 firefighters were active on that day and that the emotions of those men were still very much paper thin.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1047
Published Date: 09-May-02
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