Community Remembers Fallen Heroes
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: December 28, 2012
Support for the West Webster Fire Department is pouring in.
"I feel like 9/11 hit again. We love you guys. I never met any of them personally, but this community knows them now," said Susan Ackerman of Henrietta.
It's a time for mourning. The Christmas Eve tragedy has broke the hearts of many. Susan Ackerman and her 10-year-old son Aaron stopped at Lake Road to see where the two fallen heroes died.
"For Chip's wife and kids to wake up Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and not have dad and a husband home anymore is just I can't even imagine. I tell my son, I have another one at home, that somebody woke up Christmas morning and dad wasn't there anymore or their son wasn't there anymore," said Ackerman.
It's support from people, like Susan, that help West Webster Firefighters cope.
"It's just been overwhelming and it's been great to see that kind of support. Sometime you think the world is going in the wrong direction, this shows that it really is going in the right direction," said Kevin Crouch of the West Webster Fire Department.
Countless people have donated hotel rooms for visiting firefighters. The number of firefighters coming into town is tremendous. It's a bond that only first responders can truly understand.
"This bond has been there for years and will continue to be there. When things happen like this, it's what the brotherhood does is to help each other because we know what everyone is going through," said Crouch.
As Webster tries to pick up the pieces, others stay strong for the town until they can stand up on their own.
"We love Webster. Henrietta is behind you guys all the way," said Ackerman.
"I feel like 9/11 hit again. We love you guys. I never met any of them personally, but this community knows them now," said Susan Ackerman of Henrietta.
It's a time for mourning. The Christmas Eve tragedy has broke the hearts of many. Susan Ackerman and her 10-year-old son Aaron stopped at Lake Road to see where the two fallen heroes died.
"For Chip's wife and kids to wake up Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and not have dad and a husband home anymore is just I can't even imagine. I tell my son, I have another one at home, that somebody woke up Christmas morning and dad wasn't there anymore or their son wasn't there anymore," said Ackerman.
It's support from people, like Susan, that help West Webster Firefighters cope.
"It's just been overwhelming and it's been great to see that kind of support. Sometime you think the world is going in the wrong direction, this shows that it really is going in the right direction," said Kevin Crouch of the West Webster Fire Department.
Countless people have donated hotel rooms for visiting firefighters. The number of firefighters coming into town is tremendous. It's a bond that only first responders can truly understand.
"This bond has been there for years and will continue to be there. When things happen like this, it's what the brotherhood does is to help each other because we know what everyone is going through," said Crouch.
As Webster tries to pick up the pieces, others stay strong for the town until they can stand up on their own.
"We love Webster. Henrietta is behind you guys all the way," said Ackerman.
