Memorial Page

Ocean City dedicated and officially unveiled their Firefighter Memorial on Monday September 11th 2006. This was an important date that marked the 5 year anniversary of the tragic events of 9-11-01.

     This memorial has a life size 6' statue of a Firefighter and a 2' section of steel from the World Trade Center along with granite blocks that note the names of all those lost on 9-11 and others of those locally who lost their lives in the line of duty.

     There are brick pavers that have been purchased privately and personalized to stand forever at the site of this very beautiful memorial. (A number of these brick pavers are still available and can be purchased online).

     We hope that you were able to be in attendance at the special event this past 9-11-06 and we hope also that you take the time to check out the link below for details on how you, your family or your fire company, club or organization can be a part of the memorial.

     If you couldn't make it on 9-11-06, then please make a point of stopping by the memorial during your next visit to Ocean City. Please take a moment and reflect on the memorial and what it stands for.

     Maryland 3 would also like to ask that you mark your calendars for 9-11-08 when we will once again celebrate "A Day of Remembrance" and hold our "4rd Annual Parade of Brothers" and our "Remembrance Service and Lunch".

     *Please keep in touch with MD3 for details as they arise*

Brick Paver purchased by Maryland Chapter 3

Ocean City's Firefighter Memorial Link (click here)

Remember the Blood of Heroes (Click here and watch video)

The aftermath..........WE MUST NEVER FORGET!

Artists Rendering of the USS New York
With a year to go before it even touches the water, the Navy's amphibious assault ship, USS New York, has already made history.

     It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center .It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

     Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, La., to cast the ship's bow section.

     When it was poured into the molds on Sept. 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."
    Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back."
     The ship's motto? - 'Never Forget'

     This page is dedicated to those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrafice so that others could be spared that fate.

     To the many firefighters and emergency service personnel who have parished in the line of duty.

     As well as our military personel who are making this a free country in which to live and prosper.

     To those that have gone before us we say

THANK YOU!

You will not be forgotten !

"Good days, bad days, but never a boring day on this job."

"You do what God called you to do. You show up, you put one foot in front of the other, and you do your job which is a mystery and a surprise. You have no idea, when you get in the rig, what God is calling you to do. But he needs you...so keep going. Keep supporting each other and work together. You love the job, we all do. What a blessing that is!"

                                Mychal Judge, Sept. 10, 2001

     Father Mychal Judge Chaplin FDNY Deceased 9-11-01 WTC

                                           We Will Not Forget

Red Knight Member and past Fire Chief of the Delmar Fire Dept. Joseph C. Morris Sr. answered his last alarm on Feb. 4, 2006. A member of the Delmar Fire Dept for 38 years and well respected person throughout the town of Delmar.

Joe was a dedicated member of his fire department and would go out of his way to help anyone. Joe was a leader and a friend, he will be missed by all but will never be forgotten.

Michaels Firefighter Edition Bike

Salisbury Firefighter and Army SGT. Michael McMullen at the age of 25 was killed while fighting in Iraq. He recieved injuries while saving a fellow soldier after a roadside bomb attack.

SGT. McMullen is a Hero, he did what he was trained to do and had no fear.

Michael had a plan in life and part of that plan was to become a Red Knight as soon as he came home.

Members of MD3 made that dream come true by presenting the family with Honorary Membership and the Colors he wanted to wear.

Michael McMullen has left this world but not our hearts. He is and always will be a Red Knight and a brother to us all. Michael you gave all for us to enjoy the freedoms we have and for that........

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

David and Robin McMullen, Michael's parents, have both joined MD3 and they are very active. We at MD3 are very proud to have people with character of this magnitude as members. The loss they have suffered is more than many of us could ever imagine.

David and Robin have pledged that they will be the lead contacts for MD3 each year at Rolling Thunder in Washington DC.

Thanks to the McMullen's for their dedication and sacrifice!

We are blessed to have them on board!

Sack presents the McMullens with a plaque Honoring Michael

Members in attendance at the veterans memorial service presentating a bell, which will ring on for years to come on Memorial Day. This bell will be placed on the memorial wall at the Wicomico Civic Center to honor those who have made the supreme sacrifice so others can continue to enjoy the freedom that we charish in this great land.

The members of Maryland 3 dedicate the efforts that made this bell presentation possible in the memory of Staff Sgt. Walter F. "Trae" Cohee III who was a member of the Mardela Springs Vol. Fire Dept and the United States Marine Corp. Trae lost his life during Operation Enduring Freedom. He served at home in his fire dept. and in our armed forces to make this a better place.

On September 17th 2004, Brian Firkal, a volunteer Firefighter from Nesquehoning Pennsylvania was in Ocean City on vacation with his wife. They had just went out on the beach for some sun when an 11 year old boy got caught in a terrible rip current and was being sucked out from shore. Brian heard the screams of this boy calling for help and without a second thought entered the water to initiate a rescue. After sometime searching, the boy was found and rescued by the USCG. Brian however, was not so lucky.

In efforts to rescue the child, Brian himself became a victim and was pulled from the water and sent by Ocean City EMS to Atlantic General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Brian drowned while trying to save a life. A life of a small boy that he didn't know. He died while doing what he was trained to do and in the service of another.

In October of that year, Maryland 3 put on what we called the "Brian Ride" a 5 hour trip one way to Brian's home town and visited his fire station to not only pay respects to his family, but to also make Brian an Honorary Member of Maryland 3.

Once there we were met by a huge turn out of local citizens, friends and family of Brian's along with a large press presence with coverage in three major cities.

Over 70 bikes were in the percession and add to that the public turnout and the fire department members and there were every bit of 200 people in attendance.

After a couple of speakers and prayers, MD3 President Sack presented Brian's widow with a plaque and an official Red Knight flag. Sack then was given a plaque by the Fire Chief of Nesquehoning Hose Company #1. That plaque hangs to day in the Board Room of the Ocean City Fire Company.

Following the presentations. MD3 was invited inside the station for a feast set for kings. The ladies of Nesquehoning really put out a spread. Really good Pennsyvania/Dutch cooking. Just what we needed following a 5 hour ride in mostly rainy condition.

The ride home was also a bit rainy, but the day overall was outstanding and will always remain as one of the most special events ever by MD3.

Bikes at Rolling Thunder 2006

"Fred" a US Military Veteran Salutes as riders pass. Thanks for your service Fred and God Bless!

On Sunday May 28th 2006

Members from Maryland 3 made the trip to Washington D.C. for this years Rolling Thunder. We left from OC with two members and by the time we got to Washington, we had linked up with close to 50 riders from not only MD3 but from other clubs too.

In the group were two very special members of MD3, David and Robin McMullen. (Parents of Michael McMullen whos story is written above) It was very important to MD3 that we support the McMullens and make this, the first year without Michael, a special one. Another rider was Michael's fiance' (Kim) who traveled to Rolling Thunder on the bike that was to be Michael's when he returnd from Iraq. It is a beautiful bike and one that Michael would have surelt been proud of.

The McMullens have offered to be the points of contact for the MD3 Rolling thunder Ride each year from now on.

Making the event especially notable is the fact that Michaels birthday is the 27th.

Artwork that appears on the cowling of Micheal's Bike

Last update by Sack..12-10-08 2120hrs