My tattoo is a memorial piece I got shortly after being hired in the fire service. It was after 911 happened and the guys from work & I travelled to NY to support our brothers & sisters in the fire service. We attended memorial services… I got my tattoo with 2 other guys from work in 2001. It’s on my left leg/lower calf, just above my ankle. It’s the Maltese Cross, with a ribbon through it saying Never Forget. Then, each part of the Maltese has a specific significance, the box number (for the pull station outside of the World Trade Centre), the number of firefighters that died, 911, and the bells that ring when a firefighter dies in the line of duty. The Maltese “definition” is courage, protection & sacrifice for others.
My dream job and what I worked towards for 1.5 years finally came true when I was hired in the fire department on January 10th, 2000. I was so excited; it was happening, and not only did I get hired, but I was also working and serving the community I grew up in. I remember getting the phone call and calling my sister right after, who was close by. I remember parking, running towards her, and giving her the biggest hug. We both stood on the sidewalk, crying happy tears that I had gotten hired. Fast forward to Sept the following year. September 11th, 2001, to be exact. I was getting ready for my shift at work and turned on the TV, and on every single channel, the same footage over and over again—a plane flying into the World Trade Centre. I knew something big was happening as it was on every channel. I walked to work and realized when I got there that no one knew, no one had seen what was unfolding. I turned the TV on, and everyone gathered around to watch what was happening. Shortly after the first tower fell, everyone seemed to be in an almost robotic fog all day. Still responding to calls, and any spare moment we were glued to the TV. It was surreal, I kept thinking in my mind…what is happening? Is this actually real?
The days to follow are a little bit blurry, although I know I was glued to the news & radio watching and listening to what was happening. The next thing I recall was finding out how many firefighters were lost (343), and we, as a brotherhood & sisterhood, we wanted them to know we supported them, even though we were on the other side of the globe. Talks started amongst our department about how we can support and help. There was a memorial scheduled in October. It was quite controversial. Some wanted to start having some closure, and others felt it was too soon. A few of us planned to attend the memorial, and once it was officially cancelled, we still decided to go and attend the memorial services for our fallen. There were around 8 per day, and we felt that there would be no way the support for each member would be felt, so we went. I picked out 3 or 4 services and we attended them in our full department’s dress uniform. We attended not only the service but also the wakes. I remember one firefighter’s son, who was about 6 years old, wearing a helmet. He was so small, and I don’t think he even really understood what was happening. I know I didn’t when I was at my Papa’s funeral when I was 11. The amount of support and praise we received was almost uncomfortable. Here we were going to support the families of the fallen, and we were made out to be the heroes.
Myself & 2 of my buddies from work had decided that we wanted to get a tattoo to memorialize that time in our lives, experience, and the fallen—all 343 of them. When we returned from the trip, the three of us went to the tattoo shop, had our design drawn out, and each sat down one by one and had it tattooed onto us. A Maltese Cross is symbolic of the fire service. Standing for courage, protection & sacrifice for others. We put different things on each part of the cross to signify the day. 343 for the number of firefighters who died, 9-11 for the date, 8081 was the box number, or pull station outside of the World Trade Centre, and 5-5-5-5 for the bells or tones that were played over the radio to signify a line of duty death. 5 tons X 4. With a ribbon in the middle saying “Never Forget”
Some of the friendships and connections I made, we still stay in contact today, 24 years later. I’ve been back to New York 4 times, the first to attend memorial services, the second to march in the St Patrick’s Day Parade, the 3rd to attend the final memorial service in Madison Square Garden. Paddy, whom we met at one of the services, asked us to walk in the parade and got us tickets to Madison Square Garden. I think there were 13 of us. I have never in my life ever been a part of or witnessed a standing ovation that lasted as long as this one did. It was at least 10 minutes—each row of seats on the floor flanked by fire personnel. I still have the brochure and challenge coin given to everyone who attended that day. This is an event that changed the world and affected every single person. I still think of and remember every year on September 11th … I will Never Forget.
Sam van Born
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