Recently, I received an email from a former student, David Tate, who attended Trident Academy for several years before moving out of state. He had attached a story he had written about 911 and how the event reminded him of a special day at Trident Academy. The story also reminded me of how teachers at Trident Academy influence childrens' lives. Here’s his story:
Tragedy And An Exciting Early Christmas Present
On September 11, 2001, two airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon was attacked, and an airplane that was bound for the White House crashed in a field in Pennsylvania killing EVERYBODY on board.
At the World Trade Center, an enormous number of people died. They were civilians and 343 FDNY firefighters including Chaplain Mychal Judge, Chief of Department Peter Ganci, Jr., First Deputy Commissioner William Feehan, 23 NYPD police officers, and 37 Port Authority of New York/New Jersey officers. At the Pentagon, 125 people who were on Flight 77 died, and 64 people who were inside the Pentagon died.
Later, 44 people died on United Flight 93 in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania including famous passenger Todd Beamer who shouted “Let’s Roll!” After those words were uttered, the passengers beat the terrorists who were controlling the airplane. President Bush declared a “War On Terror,” which is still going on and the military (Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Army) went on the hunt after Osama Bin Laden (died in May of 2011), a radical Islamist who was and is believed to be responsible for the attacks.
Three months later in December of 2001, I decided to write a letter to Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas (who retired seven years later in 2008.) Why? Because, I have admired firefighters since I was a child. In the letter I told Chief Thomas that he was a good man and that I appreciated for what he has done for the City of Charleston.
A few days later, when I was in class (I’m not sure which one it was), Mrs. Driver (or some other teacher) came in and told me that someone special was there to see me in the library. Who was it? That certain someone was Chief Rusty Thomas of the Charleston, South Carolina Fire Department. Chief Rusty was in the library waiting to see me. When I saw him, I felt like I received an EARLY Christmas present.
Chief Rusty had his jacket, an Olympic torch and his helmet on the table. It was a marvelous sight! Chief Rusty greeted me, shook my hand and told us about his firefighting career and I told him about reading about him in the “Post & Courier.” He dressed me in his jacket and his helmet. I also told him that I met some of his firefighter friends and heard about some of the other friends he had.
Chief Rusty told me, the other kids, and the teachers why he had the Olympic torch. The explanation he gave was interesting. After the talk in the library was over, the other kids and I got to go outside of the library and I stood in the center of the American flag with Chief Rusty’s jacket and helmet, and the other kids were reaching for the Olympic torch. Shortly after that, I stood in front of the front of the American flag with Chief Rusty while I was in nearly full gear.
My picture was taken and the news story was published in the Trident magazine. Later, Chief Rusty asked me if I would like to pose as a real firefighter putting out a fire, and commanding firefighters with his radio. It was then time for Chief Rusty to go. Before he left, I told him “Thank you!” and he said that he was happy to meet me.
In my opinion, the pictures that were taken will go down in Trident Academy history and go down in my firefighter admiration history. This was one of the best things a *ten (now twenty) year old kid (now adult) could ever have, especially during the Christmas season. A few days or months after that special school event, I received a photo album of that famous school event. I still have it and I will keep it as a collectible. I also included other firefighter visits in my album.
