Allow First Responders to attend 9/11 Ground Zero Dedication

On September 11, 2001 men and women who made committments to save life and property were put to the ultimate test. As the horror of the attacks unfolded and people scattered...hundreds and thousands of dedicated, well-trained first responders ran towards the crumbling towers to rescue and help as many victims as they could.

One victim's encounter with a fireman says it all, " 'One fireman stopped to take a breath, and we looked each other in the eye,' said Louis G. Lesce, who was on his way down from the 86th floor of 1 World Trade Center, the first tower hit. 'He was going to a place where I was damn well trying to get out of. I looked at him thinking, 'What are you doing this for?' He looked at me like he knew very well. 'This is my job.'" (http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/091101rescuers.html)

Thousands of people died that morning and 343 of them were firefighters, policemen, EMS - mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, grandpas, grandmas, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, lovers, best friends - men and women who committed their lives to saving the lives of others! (www.911digitalarchive.org)

Now there are a handful of politicians that have decided to refuse the honor of attendance to the dedication of the memorial at Ground Zero on the tenth anniversary of the deaths of our brothers and sisters. Our time is limited to collect signatures but we must be the voices of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice! Please sign this petition to allow our first responders - our heroes - to attend this ceremony. Their sacrifice, integrity, sense of duty, and diligence are the reason that so many live to remember.

Respectfully Yours,
Jessica Waltenburg