9/11 Backlash or Political Correctness Run Amok?

A Fire Chief in Northwest Indiana has resigned after the Mayor of his town disapproved of his memorial for the firefighter’s lost on 9/11.

From The Times Northwest Indiana News

Crown Point fire chief resigns

A simple message honoring the 343 firefighters killed when the World Trade Center's Twin Towers fell five years ago turned out to be the final straw for Crown Point's fire chief.

Mark Oster resigned from the post Tuesday morning after he said Mayor Dan Klein became upset that he didn't seek the mayor's permission to put up the message on the sign in front of the Crown Point Fire Department.

"After three months I basically had all I could take," Oster said, adding that he was not able to make a move without the mayor's permission.

He is the fourth fire chief in five years in Crown Point.

Klein, in a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon, said he had met with Oster, but disagrees with his assessment.

"Stemming from this conversation, I have been accused of disapproving a message on the Crown Point Fire Department sign that honored the firefighters who lost their lives in the heinous terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Let the record show that I have no problem honoring these individuals," he said. "In fact, I believe it necessary to remember the fallen police and fire rescue workers and volunteers that gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

"The issue that I did have with the sign, however, is that it was not inclusive of the whole Fire Department. Not only should the volunteers recognize the victims, but so, too, the whole C.P. Fire Department as well as the whole city of Crown Point. In response, I requested that the former chief, who was given approval to make final decisions on the Crown Point fire sign, take this into consideration. I believe that this allegation is a blatant attack on my character, my loyalty to my country and those who serve it. I find these comments insulting and without merit," he said.

So let’s see, the Fire Department is attempting to honor their fellow firefighters who gave their last full measure and they are rebuked because their grief isn’t all inclusive? Is it somehow wrong for specific industries and fellowships to only honor those victims that fall within their scope of service Mayor Klein; must we include the terrorists next?

The chief and the members of the Fire Department were honoring their brother firefighters 343 members of their brotherhood that gave their lives so that thousands of other might live and you somehow think their memorial is not enough? Are you willing to do the job we do for the pay those volunteers were receiving? Were you willing to grab your gear and climb 67 floors into the belly of the Twin Towers so that the occupants could survive?

Get a grip Mr. Mayor, the Fire Department was doing the right thing here and your attempts to make it “all inclusive only serve to diminish and demean their grief. If you want to put up an “all inclusive” memorial, then do so, but don’t force fellow brothers to temper their grief and attempts to honor their fellow brothers with your politically correct attitudes.

Four Chief’s in five years, I’m beginning to see why.