9/26/2020 By Chris Spradley “Matlock”
Cool and Foggy start to the event ending up Cool and Clear.
This event focused on the sacrifices that 1 of the 343 firefighters made during the 9/11 attacks. The day started with F3 Smokehouse brethren meeting up at 5:00am and setting up the course. At 6:30 the Ruck division set out on the course in the gloom. 7:00am registration began. At 7:30 am the pre-race meeting was held and the first heat set off at approximately 8:00.
Matlock welcomed everyone to the event and thanked all those who helped plan and set up the event as well as all participants. Rabbi gave the prayer remembering Tisha “Quack Quack” Jeffcoat. Special #HIM brick was presented to Spit for pushing the event and bringing an unprecedented 6 teams to the event. AYE BROTHER!! The race bibs got an upgrade to include a numbering system based on the fire vehicles that were lost in the tragedy. The rundown of the course and dedication of the event were given:
The Course
Station #1 Truck Pull – Team had to pull a fire truck 343 feet, one foot for each firefighter killed in the towers.
Station #2 The Response – 183 fire units responded to the towers. Team had to perform 183 Burpees.
Station #3 Entering the Towers – As firefighters arrived they began ascending stairwells attempting to reach the 75 floor South and 93 Floor South. Team had to don airpacks and run stadium stairs.
Station #4 South Tower Falls – At 9:59, the South Tower collapsed. Inside were 192 firefighters, including Batt. Chief Orio Palmer. Team had to perform 192 Ax Strikes.
Station #5 Running Lost – Lower Manhattan became unrecognizable in the fallout. Team had to run ½ mile on track and continue to run on cross country route.
Station #6 Where did they die – It was impossible to determine where 11 firefighters had died. Each member of the team had to perform 11 Diamond Merkins.
Station #7 No Water – The crashes damaged water systems in the towers. There possibly was little to no water to fight with. Team had to carry 4 buckets (5 gallons) to the top of Hash hill and back down.
Station #8 North Tower Falls – At 10:28 the North Tower collapsed with 140 firefighters inside. Team had to perform 140 Hand Release Merkins.
Station #9 Aftermath – Many members of the FDNY worked on the pile for months after the towers fell. To date, 111 have died from 9/11 illnesses. Each member must perform 111 singe count Flutter Kicks
Between the Stations, teams had to run a total of 2.2 miles
The Dedication
When we remember 9/11 and we hear numbers like 2977 (total victims), or 343 (firefighters) or 23 (police officers), the numbers are so large it is hard to fathom or take in. Each one of those number was a person, with a life and family and hopes and dreams. Today we will focus on one of the 343.
Orio Palmer, was 45 years old on September 11, 2001. He was Battalion 7 Deputy Chief for the FDNY. He was married to Debbie and they had 3 children, ages 14, 12, and 9.
He was a 20 year veteran of the FDNY and had been awarded numerous Medals of Valor and Unit citations. He “was one of the departments rising stars, renowned for his smarts and nerve and decency, as well as physical fitness.
He was the ‘most knowledgeable people in the department about radio communications in high rise fires’. He ran marathons, races and other fitness challenges. He also had a degree in electrical technology. These attributes came together on 9/11 to give a firsthand account of events inside the towers.
Palmer responded to the North Tower and upon the South Tower being struck, Palmer was reassigned to the South Tower. Upon arriving there, Palmer singlehandedly repaired an elevator which took him to the 41 floor. He also repaired radio equipment which allowed him to communicate with other units but also for his transmissions to be recorded for posterity. He then ran up 37 flights of stairs wearing gear that weighed approximately 50 pounds. As he ascended, he reported his position and situation several times. He directed civilians to escape routes and rescued an elevator full of civilians during his assent. He and his staff are the only known first responders to reach the impact zone. Palmer reached the 78 floor and reported “Battalion 7, Ladder 15, we’ve got two isolated pockets of fire. We should be able to knock it down with two lines. 78th floor numerous 10-45 Code Ones. (Civilians Deceased)” 60 seconds later, the tower collapsed.
His wife spoke about watching a documentary where a clock was set as a countdown to when the South Tower fell and timed with Orio’s radio transmissions. Listening to him report what was going on as the timer reached zero she said she wanted to yell, “Get out, you only have a few minutes” at the television. Of course, she said, it would do no good.
Always known for his sharp wit and excellent physical conditioning the FDNY saw it proper to dedicate and rename its’ highest physical award to Chief Palmer. The test is now known as the “DC Orio Palmer Memorial Fitness Award” in honor of him.
Shortly after 9/11 his 14 year old daughter Dana wrote a letter to him after his death in her journal. Here are excerpts:
”Dear Dad,
A friend gave me the idea of writing to you. She said it might help. Oh, how I wish you could write back, or I could hear your voice again, or see you — even if it’s just a quick glimpse. I hate knowing that you’re really not coming home this time, and all I remember about when I saw you last was that I was doing my homework when I got up and kissed you goodbye. I didn’t know it would be forever, though.
When I was listening to all your favorite music the other day, I thought I would feel sad and I’d miss you. But instead, I felt closer to you, and it was quite comforting because there’s not one time that I can remember when you didn’t have the radio on. You were the music man.
Always know that you’re my hero. I could never compare any man to you because that would be unfair to him. For, like Keith said, you’re one of a kind — the very best there is out there.
My birthday is coming up, but I’m sure you already knew that. It won’t be the same without you, and I’m not really looking forward to it. I feel that way about a lot of things, though. I would do anything to have you back.
Love always,
Dana”
Today we run for Orio.
Results
25 Teams participated in the event and four first place awards were given for the fastest times in the following categories; Ruck Team, All Male team, All Female team, and Co-Ed Team.
Announcements:
COVID put a little damper on timing of the event and space for teams. Plans are in the works for next year including advertising the event much earlier, doubling up trucks to get teams on course faster, using commercial timer for start and finish times, as well as other improvements. Next year will be even better!! Maybe even a BEER BEER TACO?!?!? We will see.
Thanks to our sponsors and volunteers! This would not happen without you!!
Aye-
Matlock