Lewes Fire Department honors fallen firefighter on anniversary of 9/11

When hijacked commercial jets struck the Twin Towers on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Chris Whitford was training with the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, N.Y. Just about an hour earlier, he was finishing his overnight shift at the NYPD's First Precinct, just blocks from the World Trade Center. An engine that fell from one of the jets landed in the spot where he typically parked his car.

He turned on a small black-and-white television at the base and saw smoke billowing from the north tower, the first of the twin towers of the World Trade Center to be hit. He quickly made his way to the Staten Island Ferry to go back to Manhattan to help.

Just a few miles away, Chris' brother, Mark, was gearing up and on his way to the scene as a member of the Fire Department of New York's Engine 23. Mark and his crew arrived after the second plane hit, and they entered the south tower to fight the fire. They reached the 21st floor before the tower collapsed.

Mark was one of 343 firefighters to lose their lives that fateful day. Fifteen years later, Chris and the Whitford family continue to honor their heroic brother and son. On Sunday, the Lewes Fire Department held a short ceremony at the home of Roger and Carol Whitford, Chris and Mark's parents, where they have created a 9/11 memorial. The memorial includes a flagpole surrounded by candles, a photograph of Mark and flowers. On Sunday, Chris, who now lives in Georgetown, parked his RV beside the memorial. On the back is a mural honoring his brother, featuring a photo of Mark, his FDNY station, a flag wrapped around the Twin Towers and the words Never Forget. The mural also features a butterfly, referring to the moment Chris knew his brother didn't make it.

After getting back to Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, Chris led a group through the thick dust that blanketed downtown after both towers collapsed. Despite very little visibility, he came upon his brother's engine. It was empty; the firefighters had already rushed into the buildings.

He continued to search for his brother and other survivors through the night and well into Sept. 12. Visibility had not greatly improved by 3 p.m. the next day.

“Out of nowhere a monarch butterfly flew into my face,” he said. “And I just knew he was gone.”

By November, Chris' unit, the same as unit his brother Mark, had been mobilized and shipped to Kuwait. Then on April 5, 2002, on Mark's birthday, Chris received an email that his brother's remains had been found.

Every year since the attacks of 9/11, Chris, his parents and his siblings have honored Mark. Last year, the family lit patriotic Chinese-style lanterns on Lewes Beach and released them to float out over the Delaware Bay.

For the 10th anniversary, Chris was stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan. He spoke at a memorial mass at Camp Phoenix. Many of those who attended were members of the Coalition Forces.

In the years following Sept. 11, 2001, Chris was a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He was honored by President Barack Obama for taking down a terror plot.

At this year's event, four members of Lewes Fire Department, including retired FDNY firefighter Cliff Stabner, presented the family with a wreath and LFD chaplain Charlie Arnold memorialized Mark and all of the people who died. The event was attended by family, friends and neighbors, who all paid their respects to the heroes and victims of the one of the country's greatest tragedies.

“Our goal is just to make sure Americans remember and never forget that day and the sacrifices the emergency responders made,” Chris said.