Gail Job, 11, is a sixth grader at Weehawken’s Roosevelt School. She also has a big heart. It was never more evident after the events of Sept. 11.
"I was shocked when it happened," Job said of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center that has changed the world forever. "It made me want to shut my mind down and not think of the horrible things that had happened. But I thought it would be best if I expressed my feelings. I thought it would make me feel better."
Job and many of her schoolmates took the time in the days following Sept. 11 to write letters of thanks and appreciation to the countless firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians who either went to help the victims of the WTC tragedy or who serve the residents of Weehawken on a daily basis.
Wednesday morning, those hundreds of letters, posters and greetings were delivered to members of the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue squad, to the Weehawken police department and to the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Rescue Squad in a touching moment at the Park Avenue firehouse that tugged on the heartstrings of everyone present.
"It’s definitely heartwarming," said NHRFR member David Flood, who was one of the firefighters who volunteered their services in the first days to help the rescue mission at Ground Zero. "Especially getting the letters from the little kids, who were definitely affected by the tragedy. The letters really enlighten us and it’s good to see that they care."
Judy Gaffey, a long-time member of the Volunteer First Aid Rescue Squad, lost her ex-husband, Port Authority Police Officer Robert Cirri, the father of her two children, in the disaster.
"I’ve had to deal with this tragedy with my 13-year-old daughter and my 17-year-old son," said Gaffey. "It’s been very tough for them, because he’s still missing and there has been no closure. So anything I’ve had to do with other children has really meant a little more. I’m going to bring some of the letters home to show to my children. The letters will help them."
Added Gaffey, "It really means a lot that these kids would have taken the time to write to the police, the fire, the EMS. The letters and posters have given us all so much joy in a tough, emotional time. They’re really nice and amazing. I’m going to put the posters all over the building at the Squad and bring the letters for all the other members to see."
Each child had a special message that they wanted to convey in their letters and colorful posters.
Many of the letters included the sentence, "Thank you for your bravery."
"I wanted to thank them for all the work they did in trying to save the people in the Twin Towers," said 10-year-old Giovanni Baret. "I was very sad when it happened, but I was glad that I was able to write the letters to say thank you. I was just hoping that they would be able to get everyone out safely, but I know they couldn’t save everyone."
"I said that I wanted to do whatever I could to help them find more people in there," said 12-year-old sixth grader Lupe Andrade. "I was only able to go to the World Trade Center once and I was hoping to go again. It’s sad that the towers are not there anymore. But we have these people, who are my special heroes."
Nine-year-old Rose Landi, a fourth-grader, beamed with pride.
"I wanted to tell them how proud I was of them," Landi said. "They were willing to risk their lives to save others. I think writing the letters helped me to feel better. I was glad to write them."
The message was not lost on the police officers.
"A lot of the children cannot comprehend what happened, but they understand what we all went through," Deputy Police Chief Robert DelPriore said. "To think that they are honoring us is an incredible feeling. It’s unfortunate that it comes in times of tragedy."
"This reminds you why you took the job in the first place," said Michael Calligy, the president of the Weehawken Policemen’s Benevolent Association. "It’s a traumatic time in their lives, but they took the time to tell everyone how they felt. They realize the sense of loss and appreciate what we do."
Gaffey is still having a tough time coping with the tragedy. Her EMS ambulance partner lost her fiancé in the disaster.
"It’s very hard to respond to a job and to try to help other people when you’re going through something like this," Gaffey said. "It’s been very tough. We’re all just trying to get through it. But these kids have been amazing. I was really touched."