Meeting Transcript

As always, every year we come together as the chief stated for this tradition, this memorial to recognize those who went on. Serving in this city is an honor. I believe this as mayor. I take the responsibility seriously. I was considering when we were pledging allegiance to the flag. And for some reason I began to reflect the very first time I ever pledged allegiance to the flag. It was pre-K. You learn it very early. They teach you, they bring out the flag, and then it becomes second nature. You do it throughout your years in school. And in life, you end up going through many pledges and oaths that you take. And I was considering the oath that is taken by our men and women in uniform, those who serve as firefighters or police, those who take on the responsibility to be first responders, those who serve in our armed forces. Those oaths are sacred. Those words mean something. They are a testament to a tradition that began long ago to those who would sacrifice their lives, sacrifice their time, give of their commitment and dedication, not for themselves, but for others. As I was considering that and thinking what I would share, it dawned on me that though there is an oath that is taken by those who become firefighters, there is one that is unspoken but yet as serious that is taken by the city that they serve. A commitment to honor their sacrifice, a commitment to never forget their dedication, their hard work, an understanding that every single day they wake up, each and every one of our firefighters and all those who serve, with the realization, cognizant that they may lay their life on the line. Every night I imagine when our firefighters return home, families are overwhelmed with gratitude. They are filled with joy to know that they have received their family member back. The most difficult part of this job, and I know that Chief Trennacos can attest to it, and he spoke a bit about it, is to have to go to a home and say your family member will not come back because they gave their life in service, not to a city alone, but to the people in the city, to your name and to God. I believe there's a special place in heaven. That's what I genuinely believe for those who decide to devote their lives to serve others. I believe that as a city it is our responsibility to never forget their years of service, their commitment, and to honor them. Today, we will hear the tone of bells, we will place flags down, we will read names, and that's a ceremony, and it is solemn and it is important. But the best way that we can honor them is to carry them in our hearts every single day, to speak of their work, to remind those who become future firefighters of their great sacrifice and to continue united as a city, and I believe this is how we honor them best. I want to take this opportunity again to thank our president of the Board of Education, Judith Sanchez, who is with us, as well as my wife, she's sitting in the back, who came along with me traveling around, and again to thank the chief of the fire department, Chief Trenticos. I want to take this opportunity to thank uh Deputy Chief Bob Lunier, who uh just this week we went up to the hundred steps. I'll admit we didn't walk them. We drove, we went the other way and identified the exact location for the monument for Latona Griffith Park, and we are excited that that will be up this year. We're hoping to get it done by this summer. Thank you for your leadership, Chief Trentos, to move that along. I made a promise to have those stairs renovated and to put an active park to ensure that every single resident can remember not just their sacrifice but the sacrifices of all of our firefighters. We purposely painted the rayos red in order to honor our fire department, and that can be seen from as far as Maine Avenue. We put brand new lights and we will continue to point to that remarkable landmark in our city, not just because of the landmark, but again the spirit that it carries, the spirit of our remarkable firefighters and the 12 that gave their lives for our city. God bless you. Thank you very much.