9/11 Tour Bus Comes To Boston
BOSTON (CBS) – Thousands will honor the victims of 9/11 at ceremonies nationwide for the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Now, a special cross-country tour has made its first stop here in Boston. The 9/11 tour bus hit the road in January, visiting fire departments and raising money for charities, an emotional journey.
Standing outside of the firefighters union in Dorchester, Boston Fire Captain Bill Dewan told us he will never forget 9/11: "My youngest brother was on Ladder Three in New York on 9/11 and he was killed as were 11 other people from his firehouse."
WBZ-TV's Diana Perez reports.
For ten years, he's been keeping his brother Gerard's memory going by telling stories about the 35-year-old taken too soon: "He was just amazing when it came to the kids they would just light up when he came through the door."
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And this year, he's getting help making sure no one else ever forgets the terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people.
"This vehicles mission is to raise awareness and some funds as we tour America and meet firefighters around the country," says Craig Freeman, a retired firefighter from Los Angeles, who kicked off the 9/11 bus tour in January in California.
The goal of the tour is three-fold: (1) Remind people of the tenth anniversary of the attacks, (2) spread the word about the 9/11 patch project, where firefighters around the country wear the same patch, and (3) raise money for three firefighter and first responder charities by selling patches, stickers and pins.
The tour's final destination on 9/11/11 is Albany, New York.
During the cross country journey, Freeman said he's encountered different people but the same spirit.
"It's been an overwhelming sensation of brotherhood whether it's through the fire department or the community itself," said Freeman.
It's a brotherhood that Dewan says is a constant reminder of his little brother's sacrifice.
"Some people say move on its all part of life.. I don't. It's all part of what we should remember," said Dewan.
On the 9/11 anniversary, Freeman and his tour bus will escort 5,000 motorcyclists in the New York State Memorial Ride in Albany New York.
The 9/11 bus tour is hoping to raise a total of $30,000 thousand for the three charities.
More information can be found at 9-11patchproject.org.
