The tables sit end to end … chairs on both sides
Lights low … somber shadows sliding cross a dirty floor … dancing tributes to sacrifices made … beyond comprehension of those not here
Across the room … stand silver serving trays … silent sentinels to God’s work
Little flames of heat … shimmering … flickering light of hope and promise
Across the aisle … 5 helmets … sit on the table … side by side … in perfect order
Sitting next to steaming plates of food
5 men sit in chairs … bunker coats on … dirt covered … soot stained … filthy with grunge … reflective tape and FDNY standing out in silent protest … to the darkness in the room
5 men sit in chairs … arms folded peacefully on the table … plates of food in front of them
5 men in a row … chins on chests … so tired from standing on the line that they sleep … sitting upright … still in gear … food untouched
The dedication … the sacrifice … etched into my eyes and burned into my memory for life … this dank … dark … dirty … hotel conference room
Hallowed Ground for all eternity
