Firefighters Work To Ensure Students 'Never Forget' Sept. 11

Shawn Collins vividly recalls the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Like most adults, he can tell you what he was doing when he heard the news. And as a member of the , the impact of the terrorist attacks remains with him perhaps even more than an average citizen.

He recalls talking with fellow firefighters who work in New York, as well as friends in the Chicago area who assisted with emergency response efforts.

And he remembers driving to Colorado the following weekend to visit the memorial for fallen firefighters.

“It was somber and reverent and reflecting all at the same time,” Collins said.

Collins tapped into those emotions while outlining a chalk mural that he and his colleagues drew this week on the front steps of .

“BGFD Remembers,” reads the heading. Below it stand the Twin Towers, with an American flag billowing in the background. The bottom of the image instructs students to “Never Forget.”

Collins said he’s not sure how much Cooper students, who were just toddlers when the country was attacked, understand about Sept. 11.

“I think it’s up to us to help them to understand,” he said. “It was a significant event. Incredibly important. It shaped how we live today.”

He glanced at the mural, which took Collins and three other artistically inclined fire department employees about two hours to complete.

“Hopefully that will stir some conversation,” he said.