Lieutenant William (Billy) Moore is a member of the New York Fire Department Battalion 57 in Brooklyn that was on duty Sept. 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center towers were destroyed.
Its burned in my memory, recalled Moore of that fateful day.
He and several other New York first responders participated in a massive Lower Mainland motorcade Sunday morning and then a moving ceremony at the Peace Arch border crossing that honoured the first responders to the 9/11 tragedy firefighters, police officers and New York Port Authority police.
Now Moore will also carry with him the memory of the 750 motorcycles from around B.C. and Washington state, along with about 75 emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances, that rumbled all the way from the River Rock Casino in Richmond to the Canada-U.S. border.
He will remember the concern shown by participants, as well as the several thousand people that turned out at the Peace Arch,
It doesnt get any better, he said. If I could sum up this day in one word, it would say touching.
Almost as surreal as that day [9/11] was, this event has some level of surreal, mused Moore of an event that included a flyover by a Canadian helicopter, a pipe band and the solemn tribute of a solitary trumpet.
I felt like I was in a movie over there [9/11] and I almost feel Im in a movie over here.
His feelings were echoed by those that quietly stood in the hot sun under the bright blue skies.
June Olson of Abbotsford came with some friends to drive in the motorcade on her massive Honda VTX1300 motorcycle.
But it wasnt just an outing. Her husband is a police officer and was working Sunday.
So Olson attended to show respect.
What can we do but pay our respects for everything everybody has done for our safety and security at home? she said.
Its just very emotional, very touching, said Olson. I had to be here. Its my first time. Im going to make it an annual event.
Although the motorcycle ride was founded by Guy Morrall nine years ago, B.C. Ambulance dispatcher Steve Williams has been helping him organize it for the last seven years.
Williams wanted to make the 10th anniversary of 9/11 special, which is why arrangements were made to bring in Moore and several other special guests.
He remembers just getting up for work when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center.
He was watching live when the second plane smashed into the other tower.
I was sitting there dumbfounded, recalled Williams. It hit me to the core of my soul.
Every since then Ive had a passion for not only the event but these people that risked their lives and perished in that event. I had to do something out here on the West Coast, 5,000 miles away from New York City, to pay the respect I believe they deserve.
Williams got help with the event from River Rock and even the Trev Deeley motorcycle dealership, which loaned him two 2012 Harley Davidson for some of the New York responders to ride in the motorcade.
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