Missing Willow Farm

Today is September 11th, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy.  My husband and I spent ten years in the volunteer fire service when we lived in NY’s Hudson Valley.  We shared a Firefighter of the Year award from our fire company and also volunteered with IBM’s Emergency Control Brigade.  That’s where we met and served with Paul Tegtmeier – a funny, caring guy.  Someone you’d gladly partner with in an emergency.  His lifelong dream was to be a NYC firefighter and he finally got hired on at age 40.  Paul was on his way to work when he saw a plane hit one of the towers.  It’s believed that he  joined up with a crew without signing in just as they headed to the towers.   His civilian shoes were found at the firehouse and his car was parked a few blocks away.  It is believed he died in tower 2, but his body was never recovered.  I can’t hear the words 9/11 without thinking of Paul.  His bravery and sacrifice are not forgotten.