NY FIREFIGHTERS ARE COMING
NY firefighters are coming
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
Special visit will include meeting with family of lost comrade
OMAGH has been chosen as the only town in the North to receive a visit from New York firefighters who were on duty at Ground Zero when the World Trade Centre buildings were destroyed by terrorists last September.
The UlsterHerald has learned that 70 firefighters will pay a short visit to the Folk Park and the town centre before attending a Council reception at the Leisure Centre on Monday week.
They will also visit Omagh Fire Station, where they will be presented with a plaque by District Commander Bobby Harpur, and meet with local firefighters that were on duty during the aftermath of the Omagh bomb.
And the event has been given added poignancy by the fact that the New York firefighters will meet with the Omagh family of colleague Michael Lyons, whose body has yet to be recovered from the rubble at Ground Zero.
Michael's mother, Mary, was originally from Omagh and is connected to the Taggart family residing in the Mountjoy area. Members of the family attended a memorial service for Michael in Hawthorn, New York, last autumn.
After spending a few hours in Omagh, the firefighters and accompanying delegates will immediately travel back Dublin for a special dinner.
They were invited to Ireland by Dublin-based committee 'Emerald Phoenix Odyssey' a mixed group comprising of representatives from An Garda Siochana, the Irish business community, hoteliers and Bus Eireann.
Their brief guest appearance is part of a week long sojourn to various parts of the Republic and it is already enjoying a massive response south of the border.
During their stay, the firefighters will travel in two coachloads across Ireland, to places that will include Dublin, Kilkenny and Leitrim, meeting with Irish relatives of some of those who lost their lives at Ground Zero.
But the Omagh visit will undoubtedly be an emotional experience for all concerned as it unites two communities from different parts of the world that have shared the devastating and tragic consequences of terrorism.
Former Omagh Firefighter Paddy McGowan, who received an MBE for services to the Fire Brigade during some of the worst years of the Troubles, has been instrumental in organising and finalising the arrangements of the Omagh visit.
The idea to bring the New York firefighters to Omagh was first mooted to the local Community Independent Councillor by Emerald Phoenix Odyssey Chairman, Tony Doran, shortly after the September 11th attacks.
Describing the forthcoming visit as a 'grand occasion' for Omagh, Mr McGowan said that, after months of tireless negotiations, he was delighted that the town had received such an honour.
"The people at Emerald Phoenix Odyssey and CIE Tours in New York have been working strenuously over the past few months to make this project become a reality and I am thrilled to bits that they have been able to fit Omagh into their busy schedule.
"For the firefighters to take time from their own troubles to come here is a tremendous recognition for Omagh and I think the fact that we will be the only town in Northern Ireland to host such a visit speaks for itself," he said.
"Their stay may be short but there is no doubt that the people here will welcome the firefighters with open arms. We know only too well the anguish and suffering felt by the people of New York and I think it is a nice touch that the firefighters will visit Omagh Fire Station which performed such tremendous work on the day of the Omagh bomb," added Mr McGowan.
Omagh Fire Station will be hosting a special ceremony on the day as District Commander, Bobby Harpur, is set to present the New York firefighters with a Northern Ireland Fire Brigade plaque as a momento of their visit. They will also meet with their Omagh colleagues and receive a tour of Omagh Fire Station and its appliances.
"We are looking forward to the visit and it will come as a nice boost for the Station because no matter where you are in the world firefighters still do the same job, and we at Omagh can certainly relate to the twin towers disaster," said Mr Harpur.
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
Special visit will include meeting with family of lost comrade
OMAGH has been chosen as the only town in the North to receive a visit from New York firefighters who were on duty at Ground Zero when the World Trade Centre buildings were destroyed by terrorists last September.
The UlsterHerald has learned that 70 firefighters will pay a short visit to the Folk Park and the town centre before attending a Council reception at the Leisure Centre on Monday week.
They will also visit Omagh Fire Station, where they will be presented with a plaque by District Commander Bobby Harpur, and meet with local firefighters that were on duty during the aftermath of the Omagh bomb.
And the event has been given added poignancy by the fact that the New York firefighters will meet with the Omagh family of colleague Michael Lyons, whose body has yet to be recovered from the rubble at Ground Zero.
Michael's mother, Mary, was originally from Omagh and is connected to the Taggart family residing in the Mountjoy area. Members of the family attended a memorial service for Michael in Hawthorn, New York, last autumn.
After spending a few hours in Omagh, the firefighters and accompanying delegates will immediately travel back Dublin for a special dinner.
They were invited to Ireland by Dublin-based committee 'Emerald Phoenix Odyssey' a mixed group comprising of representatives from An Garda Siochana, the Irish business community, hoteliers and Bus Eireann.
Their brief guest appearance is part of a week long sojourn to various parts of the Republic and it is already enjoying a massive response south of the border.
During their stay, the firefighters will travel in two coachloads across Ireland, to places that will include Dublin, Kilkenny and Leitrim, meeting with Irish relatives of some of those who lost their lives at Ground Zero.
But the Omagh visit will undoubtedly be an emotional experience for all concerned as it unites two communities from different parts of the world that have shared the devastating and tragic consequences of terrorism.
Former Omagh Firefighter Paddy McGowan, who received an MBE for services to the Fire Brigade during some of the worst years of the Troubles, has been instrumental in organising and finalising the arrangements of the Omagh visit.
The idea to bring the New York firefighters to Omagh was first mooted to the local Community Independent Councillor by Emerald Phoenix Odyssey Chairman, Tony Doran, shortly after the September 11th attacks.
Describing the forthcoming visit as a 'grand occasion' for Omagh, Mr McGowan said that, after months of tireless negotiations, he was delighted that the town had received such an honour.
"The people at Emerald Phoenix Odyssey and CIE Tours in New York have been working strenuously over the past few months to make this project become a reality and I am thrilled to bits that they have been able to fit Omagh into their busy schedule.
"For the firefighters to take time from their own troubles to come here is a tremendous recognition for Omagh and I think the fact that we will be the only town in Northern Ireland to host such a visit speaks for itself," he said.
"Their stay may be short but there is no doubt that the people here will welcome the firefighters with open arms. We know only too well the anguish and suffering felt by the people of New York and I think it is a nice touch that the firefighters will visit Omagh Fire Station which performed such tremendous work on the day of the Omagh bomb," added Mr McGowan.
Omagh Fire Station will be hosting a special ceremony on the day as District Commander, Bobby Harpur, is set to present the New York firefighters with a Northern Ireland Fire Brigade plaque as a momento of their visit. They will also meet with their Omagh colleagues and receive a tour of Omagh Fire Station and its appliances.
"We are looking forward to the visit and it will come as a nice boost for the Station because no matter where you are in the world firefighters still do the same job, and we at Omagh can certainly relate to the twin towers disaster," said Mr Harpur.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1006
Published Date: 25-Apr-02
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