Capt. Tony Fina, from the , recalls his trip to New York to attend the funerals of fellow firefighters as a "life-changing experience."
Fina and a group of firefighters from around the country travelled to Manhattan in early November 2001 to attend three funerals in three days for firefighters they never knew personally.
"It was the right thing to do," he said. "There were so many funerals and not enough people to attend them."
Fina said that departments within L.A. County made the arrangements for groups of firefighters from across the region to fly to New York to stand in support. Fina stayed with three other groups at a hotel in Times Square.
"Everyone was so supportive when we were out there, from the NYPD guys to the man on the street." said Fina. "[The whole experience] was emotional and awe-inspiring."
While on a ferry travelling to the final funeral in Staten Island, Fina snapped a photo of the Statue of Liberty. "She had special meaning that day and still does," he said.
