Friday, September 12, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Clarification, 4/29/04 - The four attendees, including Michael Bellone, mentioned in this story as members of the New York City Fire Department, are, in fact, not members of the New York City Fire Department.
Guinn salutes renewed unity in U.S. in Capitol ceremony
N.Y. firefighters attend event to express thanks to Nevadans
By ED VOGEL
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU
New York City firefighters Dennis Fisin, left, Michael Bellone, and Robert Barrett observe a moment of silence Thursday at a memorial in Carson City for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
SPECIAL to the REVIEW-JOURNAL
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CARSON CITY -- The Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy has spawned a sense of unity and family among all Americans, Gov. Kenny Guinn said in a simple ceremony Thursday.
"9-11 has brought us together," said Guinn at the state firefighters memorial in Mills Park in Carson City. "Democracy was attacked. Liberty was assaulted."
He noted there was no looting, burglaries or killings during the August blackout in New York and other cities in the East Coast. That would not have happened if there had been no terrorist attack, he said.
"I think that was the lesson we learned from 9-11," Guinn said. "A new spirit has arisen in all of us."
About 130 people attended the ceremony, about a tenth of the number who attended the observance last year at the state Capitol grounds. Four of the attendees were members of the New York City Fire Department who were called to ground zero at the World Trade Center towers two years ago.
One of the firefighters, Michael Bellone, said he made the trip to thank Nevadans for their support. He mentioned a number of memorial quilts made by Nevada women were sent to his fire station.
Guinn said the firefighters performed their duty even though they realized death was a possibility.
"They went in when most of us were trying to get out," he said.
Guinn also saluted Nevadans who have since died in the war on terror in Iraq. He said Wednesday he talked with a brother of Army Staff Sgt. Cameron Sarno of Las Vegas who died last week when he was struck by a vehicle in Kuwait. The governor said he has made it a point to talk with family members of all Nevadans killed or injured in the war.
The governor said Americans must be prepared for a "long war" against terrorism. He also spoke Wednesday with Army Sgt. Jeremy McLoughlin and Army Specialist Brian Robinson, two Las Vegans wounded in the war in Iraq.
He said he is impressed by the dignity and character of the service members, some as young as 18, with whom he has spoken. Tears were visible under Guinn's eyes after the speech.
