Tom Grasso - Writer

http://www.tomgrassowriter.com/2011/08/24/sister-assumpta-the-story-of-the-monk-and-the-scorpion/

Out of the very emotional event that were 9/11, this picture has always stood out to me. This is firefighter Mike Kehoe of FDNYs Engine 28 making his way up countless flights of steps to help total strangers.

He was climbing against an avalanche of people trying to descend to safety. They were heading out, he was heading up. Many didn't look like him, talk like him, or speak his language. He didn't care. They were human beings, brothers and sisters from a distant ancestor, and in this primal moment he was going to help those who could not descend on their own.

Mike Kehoe survived and, it's said, has not returned to Ground Zero since that day.

So today, 23 years since that moment when everything seemed to change, I sit in remembrance of those we lost. I also sit in honor of service knowing that there are men and women out there who strap on the gear and climb the stairs to the beat of a drum most can't hear. Many survive, some don't, giving breath to the creed "All gave some, same gave all."

The Mike Kehoes of the world provide us a high standard on which to strive. These are imperfect people who do perfect things in a moment that send most people running. That's why this picture has always stood out for me. Here's one of us doing a remarkable thing against a tide of people doing something quite normal. It's worth spending some time contemplating.

People like Mike Kehoe come in all shapes and sizes. They are born and live all over the world. They wear badges that's say different things and different uniforms that serve various purposes. They live, breathe, eat, sleep, love and hate just like everyone else. Yet when the bell rings something happens inside them. Something unique. Something heroic. Something worthy of honoring.

The clouds looked stunning tonight.