Tuesday, September 11, 2012 The King of Prussia fire fighters spent the past few days commemorating the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 with various events and festivities. On Sunday, September 9th, the fire company hosted the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/1 Mile Walk. The main event is based out of New York City, but satellite runs are hosted all through the country including the KPVFC hosting the one and only in Pennsylvania. Fire Fighter Siller is a member of the FDNY who was tragically killed at the World Trade Center. For his complete story click here: http://www.tunneltotowersrun.org/stephens_legacy.aspx

Approximately 150 runners and walkers, as well as many spectators, attended the event that started and finished at the Allendale Road firehouse. The course was lined with supportive spectators, the Brian Boru Pipe and Drums band, ladder arches by Lower Providence, East Norriton and Bridgeport fire companies draping the American flag.

Shortly after all the runners and walkers crossed the finish line the fire company’s 9/11 Memorial Committee, who planned the day’s event, presented the crowd with a touching ceremony. It began with a motorcycle escort of two military veterans onto the firehouse property. The first guest was Sergeant Adam Keys who served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. He was wounded by an I.E.D. leaving him as a triple amputee. Sergeant Keys is a direct beneficiary of the Siller Foundation and our event as they offered to build him a home to accommodate his injuries. The 2nd guest was the KPVFC’s very own Charles Ross. Fire fighter Ross spent four years in the U.S. Navy where he served aboard nuclear carrier Abraham Lincoln. Recently in 2009, Charles re-enlisted with the U.S. Army and became an Infantryman serving in Iraq. Charles is now home and plans on finishing the Fire Fighter I certification and continuing his education by attending college. Both fire fighter Ross and Sergeant Keys met and greeted the audience following the ceremony. For newspaper coverage on the run click here: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120909/NEWS01/120909584/king-of-prussia-volunteer-fire-company-hosts-inaugural-5k-run

On Tuesday for the 11th anniversary of 9/11, members of the King of Prussia Fire Company who work night shift or had the day off from their regular jobs entertained each other’s company while cooking lunch on the grill. About a dozen members gathered at the Allendale Road station in direct view of the 9/11 Memorial to reminisce where they were eleven years ago on September 11, 2001. As the conversation continued throughout lunch the members witnessed a constant flow of visitors at the memorial. To see additional pictures from the 5K Run, the ceremony and Tuesday’s events click here: http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=1484390089

The day would not be complete without conducting our weekly training night. Before training though, we were honored to be presented with a gift and dinner from local supporters. First, Cub Scout Troop 551 presented the fire company with an American flag. The flag will be guarded in storage and placed in service at one of our stations once one of our current stars and stripes reach their life expectancy. Lastly, training could not begin until we ate a delicious dinner catered by Morton’s Steakhouse from the King of Prussia Mall. Both groups showed the respect they have for emergency responders and we sincerely appreciate their acts of kindness.