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Photo courtesy of David Johnson

Like most if not all firefighting departments around the country, the Grand Marais firefighters hung a flag from their ladder truck at half-mast on September 11 to commemorate the firefighters, first responders, and police who ran towards—not away from– the twin towers after they had been hit by planes. Some 343 New York firefighters died that day, but 227 firefighters have perished from 9/11-related illnesses since then. In addition, some 200 former or current New York Police officers have also died because of related diseases since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and more than 500 who responded have related cancers. Twenty years later, new names are added to the Memorial Wall each year dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives while protecting their fellow citizens on that fateful day. A day where the very worst of humanity was eclipsed by the very best of humanity.