Students at Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Educational Center (CGEC) had the privilege to speak with Captain Kevin Calhoun, a retired New York City firefighter, who was one of the first responders during the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Captain Calhoun, who started with FDNY Engine 235 in 1983, lost six of his colleagues when the towers collapsed. He spoke to Construction Technologies, Criminal Justice and Health and Emergency Medical Careers students about his experience as a firefighter, his love for teamwork and the impact of September 11th.
“September 11th is not a New York City event, it is not a United States event, it is a global event that affected every country in the world,” Calhoun said.
He believes his fallen colleagues knew the dangers they would encounter and the value of their job on that day.
Questar III students learned that working as a team and having trust in your co-workers is an essential part of working as a first responder. Captain Calhoun emphasized the importance of trust between firefighters and how their relationships become like a brotherhood. He recalled fond memories of helping his fellow firefighters work on their homes and gathering for BBQs outside of work.
Captain Calhoun brought an American Flag that flew over Ground Zero during recovery efforts. The ripped and tattered flag is a reminder to the lives lost and the bravery set forth during the long and heartbreaking hours of recovery.
CGEC had the privilege of flying the flag over their school on September 10th this year. The flag has also been flown in South Carolina in honor of firefighters killed in action and in North Carolina for a memorial for fallen firefighters.
The flag was brought back to the World Trade Center with Captain Calhoun for a memorial service for the fallen firefighters from Engine 235. The flag will find its resting place at the World Trade Center Museum in New York City when it is completed.
