Pat Nanney
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 11:39 am
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"Firefighting is not a ME job, it is a WE job," was the message shared by Brian Glenn, the featured speaker at the 9-11 Memorial Ceremony held at POPS in Forest City. Glenn, who now resides in Rutherford County, lived in Long Island at the time of the attacks and said he was on the couch in his home five days after having knee surgery. Despite being on crutches, he went to the staging area and then to ground zero where he helped distribute water and was there for first responders. Glenn retired from FDNY in 2010 after 12 years of service.
Although 343 fire department brothers plus police and other emergency personnel perished due to the attacks, he showed a poster that was shared in 300 FDNY stations stating "FDNY: still the greatest job on earth." He said at the scene he saw no hesitation and no regard for self among those responding and appreciates those who thank him for his service.
Glenn had Forest City Fire Chief Billy Samuel stand with him during his talk. He said the Forest City Fire Department did an outstanding job in the fire August 31 at the former Farmers Hardware building on main street in Forest City. He thanked everyone involved in containing the fire and said that the town was "beyond blessed that no one was injured." He said survivors and families would never forget 9-11 that happened 25 years ago. Those memories return when those lost would have been celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion.
The program concluded with the ceremonial ringing of the bell. A bell rings at the start of a tour of duty. A bell rings to alert responders to a fire or rescue. The bell is rung five times in three intervals to signal the end of a tour of duty.
Grace Elder sang the National Anthem. Veteran Doug Jackson shared two original poems, one asking "Why Not Me?"
The morning ended with a parade of fire and emergency vehicles through Forest City.