by John Erly

Orcas Island

I visited the Orcas Island Fire Station 21, across from the airport. I expected to see folks coming and going from the 9-11 memorial. Small American flags lined the walk in front of the station. Just inside the door is a piece of a beam, from the Twin Towers.

I hope some of the parents here on Orcas took their children to see it and explained how it changed the world we live in “forever.” Many of our young folks do not know how the “twin towers” changed our lives or, what the memorial stands for. As a retired marine and 12+ year volunteer Orcas firefighter, standing in front of it brought tears to my eyes.