Hey everyone,
This message is from John Tobin, and it’s a story that really stuck with me. Instead of focusing on the tasks I should've been handling, I found myself drawn to documenting this incredible event. Honestly, it feels like a bit of a guilty pleasure, but here goes:
Curious about how Elgin, Illinois connects to the events of September 11th in New York City? Well, I stumbled upon this post from another site that shares a touching story. It’s about four firefighters from Elgin—three of whom are now retired—who took a fire truck all the way to the East Coast. This wasn’t just any ordinary delivery; the truck was destined for the FDNY but ended up being delayed due to the tragic events.
Accompanying the truck were hundreds of handmade cards filled with messages of support from the younger and older residents of Elgin. When we prepared to leave Elgin for New York, the entire front of the cab was packed not only with these heartfelt cards but also with posters and food for the journey. It was truly unforgettable to witness such unity in Elgin, something I’d never seen before. After delivering the truck, we stopped along the way to post the cards at a fire station so everyone could see them.
Let me share some additional details. Around that time, Seagrave in Wisconsin had orders for several aerial trucks coming out of their factory. One of their most dedicated employees then was Glenn Bennett, a delivery driver with a big heart. He managed to deliver one truck just before the attacks but got stranded in New York because flights were grounded. Knowing his situation, I reached out to Seagrave to see if they needed help. They accepted my offer, and together with three other firefighters from home, we drove out with a chase vehicle to pick up the next truck.
What started as an urgent delivery turned into something more—a sort of media tour. Many at Seagrave weren’t thrilled about the attention, and I faced some backlash for it. By the time we got the truck to Illinois, it was late at night, and we immediately headed to New York. We planned to meet up with Glenn and assist at the FDNY shops, but things didn’t quite go as expected. Arriving in the middle of the night, we decided to take the truck directly to Ground Zero instead. Not only did they desperately need the truck, but it was also loaded with critical spare parts.
At Ground Zero, our arrival drew attention, and we were interviewed on the radio and even mentioned on CNN’s squawk box. By sunrise, traffic was chaotic, making our exit difficult. Despite the challenges, the truck made it safely, and we stayed for two days to help clean up the debris. Though some criticized our presence as mere showboating, our intention was never that. Our sole focus was supporting our FDNY brothers.
Rest in peace, Glenn—you were a true hero in your own right.
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[Image captions omitted for brevity]
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Looking at these pictures, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the scale of what happened. The aftermath was devastating, yet there were moments of hope and solidarity everywhere. Firefighters from across the country came to lend a hand, even though many felt powerless. I consider myself lucky to have had a role in helping, no matter how small.
This experience reminded me of the strength of community, especially in times of crisis. If you’re reading this, take a moment to remember those who gave everything on that day. And don’t forget to honor the everyday heroes who continue to keep us safe.
Stay strong,
John
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