Little attention has been given to the efforts of local firefighters from Portsmouth, Virginia, who have traveled to New York City to demonstrate their support of their brothers and sisters in uniform and the ongoing recovery activities after the tragedy of September 11th. On Monday, October 8, 2001 a second group of about ten members of the department left Portsmouth to maintain a presence in the city as New York City says its final farewells to those who died in the rescue attempt at the WTC. These men and women made the trip completely at their own personal expense and on their own personal time. It is fitting and proper that they should be recognized and commended for their loyalty and sense of duty.  Because of them I can say, "I'm  proud to to be a professional firefighter."

Captain J.W. Alexander
Portsmouth Fire and Rescue