No Firemen invited to Ground Zero memorial

[vodkancoke]

I am watching the CNN memorial and a fireman was interviewed saying they have been un-invited to the ground zero memorial. I don't understand why that would be. They were a huge part of this tragedy. 343 firefighters died. Why can they not be there along with everyone else?

[DTCwordfan]

Agree.....

[fliptheswitch]

They said there wasn't enough room for them all. Enough room for all the politicians, just not the people that really matter :(

[Frank97]

That seems rather out of order.

[boxtops]

They have not invited any religious organisations either, to avoid any "difficulties" - on the radio this morning this was discussed. It's probably the first occasion to commemorate a great disaster that hasn't been attended by religious leaders from every faith.

[vodkancoke]

Exactly. They invite George Bush of all bl00dy people and they don't invite the firemen?? I find it very odd.

[bagpuss63]

I said this the other day-they saved people,politions don't belong there...

[fliptheswitch]

I can understand the whole religious thing, but these are the people who put their lives on the neck. It makes me sick to my stomach. The whole thing is a bloody farce!

[DTCwordfan]

And why shouldn't GB be there - he was President at the time?

Lack of firemen and religious leaders from the Christians and Jewish faith is somewhat odd for a nation that "In God We Trust" and is, far, far more religious than we as a nation are.

[fliptheswitch]

>And why shouldn't GB be there

LOL! That's a joke, right?

[anotheoldgit]

Apparently it's because there isn't enough room.for the tens of thousands of firefighters, police and other rescue workers.

http://newyork.cbsloc...emony-at-ground-zero/

[vodkancoke]

lol fliptheswitch, my thoughts exactly...don't get me started on that idiot!

[marval]

The firemen should be there, many lost their lives doing their job.

[DTCwordfan]

No I am being serious - its like saying GordonB shouldnt be at a ceremony for 7-7

[lilacben]

I think that is really awful. Had it not been for the fireman not as many would have got out as they did.! As well as them losing their lives in doing so.Shame on them that decide who is in or not.!! Only the people that matter should have a place not the people who don;t.!!

[DTCwordfan]

doesnt mean that they cant be represented like all the others like the police, air traffic control, hospitals etc

[fliptheswitch]

Nice to see someone else see's the total hypocrisy in him being there, vodkancoke!

[Gromit]

// According to CNN, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office issued a statement saying that due to space constraints, this year's September 11 memorial ceremony at ground zero (the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks) was to focus on the victims' family members, and that first responders (and other groups) would be honored at "different places and times" //

Concentrating on victims' family members on the 10th Anniversary is the correct thing to do.

[DTCwordfan]

he was the leader of the American people - it's not an issue about whether you like him or not, whether you are a Republican supporter /fan or not. It is one of civic duty and the one of the things that ex-Presidents get wheeled out of their (relatively quiet) retirements for is events (good or bad) on their patch.

Anyway, the large majority of American people would expect it and the associated protocol and I don't think that they would even take blind notice of a bunch of whingeing Brits, here on AB or elsewhere. So we have to live with it.

Lastly the thread is about the recognition, or lack of it, of the (brave) firemen, not the President of the time.

[ummmm]

I agree with DT.

[DTCwordfan]

That is correct Gromit, they still could have invited say two of each "service" to recognise the event - though I do presume that the victims also include the firemen's families, those that sacrificed their lives, so there is de facto recognition. Same apply to the NY police?