"They might say of the fireman or policeman,
"Well, he was paid for doing that.
But there is not sufficient money in the world
to pay for the life of any man."
Chicago Mayor Edward Kelly, 1938
On Aug. 6, 2004, Stephen Johnson died from service in the line of duty at age 47. Yet the rolls of honor do not bear his name, nor has the mayor or the fire commissioner stood in public tribute to this fallen hero.
For Stephen Johnson is a forgotten victim of 9/11. The official record carries Johnson as a retired firefighter who passed away after a heart attack and a bout with a lung ailment two years after he left the force.
This is because, callously and in disregard of overwhelming evidence, the City of New York has refused to acknowledge even the likelihood that working around the smoldering rubble of the World Trade Center proved fatal to anyone.
But that is precisely what killed Johnson, whose death stands as the earliest Ground Zero fatality from disease for which cause and effect has been established. And it is precisely what killed Police Officer James Godbee. And it is precisely what killed Detective James Zadroga. And it is precisely what killed Emergency Medical Service Paramedic Debbie Reeve. They were among the 40,000 people who pulled together in the drive to restore New York's footing after 9/11. Today, more than 12,000 members of that brave army are ill because they were exposed to the toxic cloud that hovered over what became known as The Pile.
cityprincess
- Name: renee
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My Bio
webmaster , national police memorial since 1999 and director/creator of http://blogintheloop.intheloop.tv/
My cousin was Sheriff for Loudon County, TN. killed in the line of duty.
Our national police memorial honors our fallen, gives them a voice as well as supports the living.
"Gone, but not forgotten, we remember every one;
For each of them were angels sent by God with a badge and gun."
My Occupation
director/creator, intheloop.tv
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Stiff Nipples 1
08/08/08
BejbiCro
06/10/08
Sacred is the Wind
05/25/08
QueenB73
05/17/08
My friend, Sgt Mike Ryan, recently died of cancer that he contracted after 9/11.
I'm hoping to get him recognized and added to the Memorial wall
Great work City Princess
ThreeHenry
05/16/08
Don't ever let them be forgotten
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