Tribute

Earlier this month, on the morning of September 11, I was driving on an errand that took me past a fire station about 9 am. In the moment that I passed the fire station, here is what I saw: the fire truck pulled out and parked in the driveway; four firemen in red suspenders standing side by side with their backs to the truck and their hands clasped in front of them; and in the direction of their gaze, their flag in front of the fire station at half staff.

When I returned that way a half hour later, the truck and crew were inside, but the flag was still at half staff.

I suppose, all over America, this small ritual took place at thousands of fire stations.