High School Speakers Focus on 'Heroes' Theme

The first of two orientation days for teachers at Watchung Hills Regional High School introduced the theme which will be carried throughout the upcoming school year, “Heroes, Hope and Honor.” Although the firs two days of teacher orientation generally emphasize topics and themes related to education, the introductory keynote is meant to inspire, guide or motivate the staff as it faces a new school year.

Thus, Superintendent Frances Stromsland expressed the hope that the unsung heroes in our society who were able to “think, believe and hope beyond what we know,” would act as an inspiration to the 187-member faculty that assembled for staff development on Sept. 6.

The first speaker, Commissioner Joseph Fiordaliso, addressed the theme of sustainability and “green” issues. A teacher for 18 years himself, he commended the assemblage as “heroes developing the minds of people who are one day going to lead our country.” However, on this occasion he was speaking, not as a teacher, but as Commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. His major concern was abetting a process to develop an energy strategy.

Clearly, the world is getting warmer, ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising. Solar activity plays some part in this, but human beings have largely contributed to the problem of warming—specifically Americans, “gluttons for energy,” the Commissioner stated.

Do we have enough “heroes” to stop the excessive use of energy? Should we not feel the obligation to do so, he asked.

On the more optimistic side, Fiordaliso reported that New Jersey is making “giant steps” in conserving energy by its use of solar panels, having some 6,000 to 10,000 such installations to date—more solar installations than any other state in the Union.

On a smaller, more personal, scale: We can use more efficient light bulbs, turn thermostats down, simple steps to reduce America’s dependence on energy.

It is in our power to take these simple steps without dramatically changing our life style. We can become “heroes” by doing such simple things, “by moving in the same direction together,” Fiordaliso stated.

The second speaker was Capt. Phillip Weiss, as EMS captain who was a first-responder at the World Trade Center disaster of Sept. 11, 2001. Weiss is currently a Nassau County ( Long Island) firefighter and on the Board of Directors of the World Trade Center Rescuers Foundation.

When the attack on the World Trade Center took place ten years ago, today’s high school students were between the ages of three and seven years old; many of today’s teachers were still in their teens at that time.

Memories of the world-shaking event that took place within an easy drive of Watchung Hills Regional High School are not as sharp as they were—or as they should be. Captain Weiss’s on-the-scene account was a forceful reminder of the events that took place on that September morning.

There is no way to adequately convey what happened on that day, declared Weiss. However, two French film-makers who happened to be at the site for a “shoot” of the WTC, captured a good part of the terrifying event, producing an unplanned, gritty, account that tore the hearts of the millions who eventually saw their film.

At first, the incident was believed to be an accident, an errant aircraft smashing into a distinctive tall building. But it soon became apparent that “firemen are plane hit, it was obvious that this was no accident, and that the lives of thousands of citizens would be impacted.

The story that Weiss unfolded showed that the rescue incidents that followed personified the biblical phrase about that “greater love” that impelled countless numbers of firefighters, police, emergency workers and, indeed, ordinary civilians to lay down their lives for unknown others. When the numbers were added up later, it was shown that there were 2,606 victims, of whom 343 were firefighters; 23 New York City police personnel; 37 Port of New York Authority personnel; 15 EMTs and paramedics; three court officers. They were persons who had “done the right thing because it was the right thing to do,” who “never stopped looking” in the hopes of finding the remains for those who had leaped from the buildings; “Bringing someone home” was always the motive, said Weiss. Miraculously, one woman was found in the rubble after 72 hours.

Weiss enumerated the names of some of those who were honored as heroes, many of whom had given their lives. Among them Father Michael Judge, Franciscan friar and chaplain to the Fire Department, who had not even been required to enter the fiery scene of destruction; Chief Peter Ganci, the only 5-star officer since 1865, who died in the line of duty; Kathy Rozzo, wife and mother; “Little Ricky” Carlos Lillo; Lt. Ricardo Quinn , last seen helping people out of the building; EMT Joe Cruz, who came on crutches; Firefighter Kevin O’Rourke; Port Authority officer; George Howard of the Fire Service Academy. Richard Dennis, a Coast Guard officer who oversaw the evacuation of thousands by boat to New Jersey, Long Island and Staten Island who lived and was commended for his actions.

These heroes, along with the busloads of volunteers who came to sift through the rubble in what Weiss called “the greatest rescue effort in the world,” are not generally recognized.

Although not on so dramatic a scale, “rescuers” still are deserving of being honored for their efforts: the first responders, rescuers who show remarkable effort and endurance, emergency management personnel, firefighters and law enforcement personnel, most of whom would never want to be designated as heroes. The speaker gave forceful evidence that this should be so. Weiss’s audience was left with much to ponder. Although few would ever be called upon to react as bravely as the 9/11 respondents, there was many occasions, many opportunities, to do what is right, what is honorable, what is positive—heroes on a small scale.

“A 9/11 Remembrance,” consisting of art work and photography, accompanied the program. Located in the atrium /main lobby of Watchung Hills Regional High School, the gallery display, entitled “Hope,” includes works by: Elaine Mayes (Retired Chair of Photo at NYU, represented at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art); Homer Guerra (painter whose work appears in many collections);Lynn Saville (widely exhibited photographer); Amanda Retotar (WHRHS grad and recent grad of Pratt Institute); Bill Arnold (working artist whose work is displayed in Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art); and contributions by staff members Vincent Colabella, Joan Thomson, Brian Dursee, Kate Griffin. The display, prepared by the Arts and History Departments, will be open to the public for the next several weeks.