On Saturday July 13, 2013, the Cadets of Delaware City Fire Company along with Advisors and members embarked on a journey to New York City.  The bus departed the firehouse at 8:30am and arrived in lower Manhattan at our first stop around 10:45am.  We all had the privilege of visiting the 9/11 Memorial as a group.  The National September 11 Memorial honors the 2,983 men, women and children who perished in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.  It commemorates the lives lost, recognizes the thousands who survived, and allows visitors to come together again in the spirit of unity that emerged in the wake of 9/11.  The centerpiece of the memorial is two pools set in the footprints of the original Twin Towers.  The names of all the victims are cut into the surrounding walls of the pools.  In the spring of 2014, a 110,000 square foot museum will open highlighting the events that unfolded in one of America’s darkest days.

Our next stop was at the FDNY Firefighter Museum.  Throughout the museum are displays that illustrate the evolution of firefighting from the bucket brigades of Peter Stuyvesant's New Amsterdam through the colorful history of volunteer firefighters to modern firefighting techniques and equipment. The Museum also houses a special memorial to the 343 members of the FDNY who made the Supreme Sacrifice on 9/11 and features a number of firefighting artifacts recovered from the World Trade Center site.

Our last and final stop was at Fireboat Three Forty Three on the West Side.  Everyone received a comprehensive tour of one of New York’s two new Fireboats.  A One hundred and twenty foot vessel featuring four 2300 horse power engines and the ability to pump 50,000 gallons of water per minute!.  Marine 1 was the first Marine Company formed in the City of New York. They have moved several times over the years. They are on call and respond to 560 miles of waterfront surrounding the City of New York. Last year Three Forty Three responded to over 700 Marine calls.  The waterways surrounding New York are among the busiest in the world, used for both shipping and enjoyment. Along with the other two fireboats and a total of four small rapid response boats, they protect the people of New York as well as those visitors who are just passing through.  Marine 1 is manned by a crew of seven; an officer, a pilot, two engineers, and two firefighters.

I would like to extend special thanks to Cheryl Dennis for organizing the transportation and participation and to Cadet Advisor Jim Watson for arranging the special visit to Marine 1.  Many hands make any event successful.  Thank you to all of those who helped make this first Cadet Trip a huge success!