Following the Brentwood Blaze's large donation to the NYC fire department, Tommy Shelton's father, a retired NYC fireman, sent his helmet to his son with the note "Tell them I said thanks." Today it's on display in the Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department.
|
|
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of what is now known around the globe as “9/11.” Just as the words “Pearl Harbor” immediately brings to mind the Dec. 7, 1941 attack against the U.S. by Japan, the numbers 9/11 conjure visions of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers falling and the sense of grief and fear that gripped our country.
Most everyone today over the age of 15 can probably state without hesitation where they were and what they were doing when they heard that four commercial flights had been hijacked and used as weapons of mass destruction.
Though no official events are planned by the City of Brentwood to commemorate the anniversary, "We will be flying flags at half mast at all City facilities," City Manager Mike Walker said. "We would encourage everyone to attend religious services this weekend."
We asked Brentwood Home Page readers to share their stories about Sept. 11, 2001 and the days immediately following and this weekend would like to share three of them.
New Yorkers' 'caring, loving spirit' made impact
On September 11, 2001, I caught an early flight at Nashville scheduled to arrive at New York LaGuardia at 9:30 AM. I did not realize how much the world would change during that two-hour flight. It was a smooth flight. I had an aisle seat, but as we flew over Manhattan, I remember someone saying there was a fire at the World Trade Center.
 |
| Dan Jordan |
The first plane had hit, but those of us in the air did not know what caused the fire. When we landed, I saw people congregated around the TV. I was told two commercial airliners had hit World Trade Center. I looked at the window and saw the smoke surrounding the twin towers. We were immediately evacuated from the La Guardia Terminal to the parking lot with only little information.
I tried to phone home. Phone lines were jammed. After multiple attempts, I finally got through to my office and told them to call my wife and tell her I was OK and would call as soon as I could get a line.
One person in the parking lot told us another plane had hit the Pentagon, and another had crashed in Pennsylvania. I thought about the innocent victims on these four flights who had boarded about the same time I did.
I saw New Yorkers pull together in a caring, loving spirit. It was a truly enriching experience. Strangers helping each other. Limo and taxi drivers offered free rides to nearby motels. I went to the Crowne Plaza at La Guardia. The manager announced over the loud speaker that although the rooms were full, everyone was welcome to camp out in the lobby, and if they were still there by night, he would do everything possible to make them comfortable. No charge.
By mid-afternoon, the trains were running, so I took the subway to my hotel in midtown Manhattan which would be my home for the next four days, since all planes were grounded.
I was able to rent a car. I drove through Holland Tunnel to New Jersey, got a map, and plotted my route to Nashville. As I was driving home, I listened to Billy Graham and the memorial at Washington Cathedral.
The people of New York were most wonderful to each other and to visitors during this tragic period in our history. I thought at the time, the consequences of this will be worse than Pearl Harbor. I saw a country united and many heroic actions by so many. I had expected this unity and patriotic spirit to change and unite as a county, just as saw this tragedy unite New Yorkers. I will always remember that day and the heroic actions of so many in this tragedy.
DAN H. JORDAN
Brentwood
|
| Tom Shelton, left, of Brentwood, a grandson, son, brother and retired member of the New York City Fire Department, helped the Brentwood Blaze raise $45,000 for New York's first responders immediately following 9/11. Then-Titan and Blaze dad Bruce Matthews helped the effort. |
Brentwood Blaze steps up, raises $45,000 for NYC's first responders
 |
| Tom Shelton |
I have been a football coach at the Brentwood Blaze for the past 14 years and have always been very proud of the organization and what they stand for, but I was never more proud the week following Sept. 11, 2001.
I am a grandson, son, brother and retired member of the New York City Fire Department. After the attack I was watching one of my four son's football practice. I got to talking to another dad, Chris Mason. I told him that I felt pretty helpless being here in Tennessee while many friends and family were in the middle of the aftermath of the attack. I said that I was thinking of wearing my Fire Department. hat, shirt and ID card to the weekend’s football games up at Crockett Park and try to collect some donations.
I thought I could possibly collect some money to send to the widows and orphans of the firefighters who lost their lives that day.
Chris immediately thought we could do a lot better and we quickly came up with a plan to involve the entire Blaze community.
 |
| From left, Uniformed Firefighters President Kevin Gallagher receives a check for $45,000 from Tom Shelton and Brentwood Blaze President Donnie Stanley who hand delivered it to NY City. |
With the support of my family, friends, the Brentwood community and the entire Brentwood Blaze organization, we were able to raise $45,000 over the course of the week. This came from bake sales, donations of money, local businesses donating auction items, and the help and support of Tennessee Titans players and last, but not least, my brother firefighters of the Brentwood Fire Department.
Brentwood Blaze President Donnie Stanley and I travelled to New York City and hand delivered a check for $45,000 to the Uniformed Firefighters President Kevin Gallagher. He was extremely touched that a community so far from New York would come together so quickly in support of the widows and orphans of the firefighters. I was so proud of what the Brentwood community did to come together and so generously support such a worthy cause.
Upon returning to Tennessee, I received a package in the mail from my father. It was his fire helmet that he received at his retirement over 40 years ago. It hung in his home with pride for many years.
There was a short note in the package that read, "Tommy, I know you will know who to give this to. Tell them I said thanks."
That helmet now hangs in a display case in the office of the Brentwood Fire Department in Maryland Farms.
TOM SHELTON
Brentwood
Retired New York City Firefighter
Day's impact continues to shape Tennessee family
I was on a Delta flight from Nashville headed to Dallas then on to Las Vegas that morning. I noticed that our descent and landing was distinctly different. Much steeper and faster drop that normal. Once we landed on the far outside runway at DFW, we taxied very quickly to the gate. At the gate, the gate agent boarded the plane, went on the overhead speaker and said “you are safe.” Still had NO idea what was happening. Once inside on the TV at the gate, I saw the second plane hit the WTC. It was then I knew something was terribly wrong.
At the gate, the gate agent boarded the plane, went on the overhead speaker and said “you are safe.” Still had NO idea what was happening. Once inside on the TV at the gate, I saw the second plane hit the WTC.
|
| JEFF FADLER |
I immediately called my wife at home in Franklin and asked what was happening.
She explained the situation and as I stood on the phone, what appeared to be National Guardsmen were entering the airport. At that point the airport went into lock down.
A neighbor in Franklin was also on the plane with me. I asked John if he wanted to ride back with me to Franklin. We rented a car from Avis and left DFW about three hours after the crashes (when the lockdown was lifted). We arrived in Franklin about 10 hours later to hugs from my wife and five children.
For me, the most haunting comment that day was one from my then 4-year-old son. He said “Was Daddy on that plane?”
Since 9/11/01 we have visited ground zero several times including the church and firehouse nearby. Next weekend we hope to secure tickets to visit the reflecting pool opening at ground zero.
In my opinion everyone should visit ground zero if for no other reason but to “remember” that fateful day.
JEFF FADLER
Franklin
|
Email
Print
