Memorial Service for K-9 Sirius
Liberty State Park, NJ April 24, 2002 - 11 AM Page 6 F.A.S.T. COMPANY |
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This site for Sirius began September 2001 PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TAKE ANYTHIING YOU WISH OFF MY SITE FOR SIRIUS, FOR NON PROFIT. PLEASE GIVE CREDIT TO THE F.A.S.T. COMPANY. THANK YOU, Lulu PLEASE feel free to send condolences to Officer Lim....... |
Hundreds mourn dog killed at WTC Staff Writer Nicole Gaudiano Staff Writer, Bergen Record A portrait of Port Authority K9 Sirius on display at Liberty State Park. If every dog has his day, Wednesday belonged to Sirius. More than 100 police dogs, their handlers, and hundreds of others gathered beneath a clear blue sky in Liberty State Park in Jersey City to pay tribute to the fallen Port Authority police dog, the only canine to die in the attack on the World Trade Center. "I can only appreciate it from the bottom of my heart, all the good will here today,'' said his handler, Port Authority Police Officer David Lim. The remains of the 4-year-old yellow Labrador retriever were found on Jan. 22 beneath the debris of Tower Two, in the Port Authority's basement kennel. Lim had left Sirius there and went to help with the rescue effort but didn't make it back. He became trapped himself, in Tower One, and wasn't pulled out until more than five hours later. K-9 officers said they planned Wednesday's ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps to be held after all 37 of the fallen Port Authority officers lost in the attack were memorialized. Handlers from as far as California, Chicago, and Virginia came to New Jersey for the ceremony. Following a bagpipe performance, the handlers walked their shepherds and Labradors in a procession, each stopping to salute the bomb-detection dog's remains. Asked what brought him from Bedford County, Va., Sheriff's Department Cpl. Chris Wimmer teared up. "It's a relationship that can't be described,'' he said, petting his Rottweiler, Mack. "I jumped at the chance to come. ''It was a solemn ceremony for all of Wednesday's attendees. Although scores of dogs gathered at the park, just across the river from the World Trade Center site, only a few barks were heard as they were led past Sirius' wooden urn. "They feel the emotions we're going through,'' said K-9 Officer Henry Sondej of the Bergen County Sheriff's Department. "This is a time we're trying to put a terrible period behind us. They know what's going on.'' The ceremony included the unveiling of a portrait of Sirius, backed by the image of the towers and a dark sky with stars. Artist Debbie Miller Stonebraker said it wasn't until she was painting the fine details of the portrait that the project took an emotional toll on her. A patriotic song unexpectedly came on her compact disc player as Sirius' newly painted image looked back at her from the canvas. She had to put down her brush. "I cried for an hour,'' said Stonebraker, of Foley, MO. "The enormity of it just hit me in the face.'' Lim finally broke down during a special presentation by the FBI, whose agents recovered Sirius' bowl from Lim's crushed car. They had it engraved:"I gave my life so that you may save others.'' "This is something I'll cherish,'' Lim said. "To many, it would be just another water bowl. It's one I'll cherish for the rest of my life. I still picture him drinking out of it.'' Sirius began his tenure with the authority on July 4, 2000, inspecting commercial vehicles entering the towers and clearing the way for VIPs. Lim could think of another big day for Sirius, the day President Bill Clinton stopped to pet him during a campaign swing through New York. "The date on the picture was Sept. 11, 2000,'' Lim said. "To me, it was unbelievable.'' K-9 Officer Richard Colon, whose dog, Jagger, trained with Sirius, recalled his two sides. "He was so easygoing,'' Colon said of Sirius. "I would tease [Lim], 'I'm gonna kick your dog to see if he's alive.' But once he was working, he was alive.'' Lim's wife, Diane, said, "He thought he was a lap dog, a 90 pound lap dog. 'Scratch my head. Rub my ears.''' Yet he never complained, David Lim said, making Sirius the best partner he ever had. Lim said he plans to lobby for a K-9 memorial alongside the police officer's memorial in Washington, D.C. He hopes Wednesday's ceremony will call attention to the work dogs do for police. "Maybe they'll realize the dogs are out there doing a job machines can't do,'' he said. "They do it for love.'' |
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reported by Kathy Hinds Lulu and Bob Krause of Cape May, NJ, Lisa and Kathy Hinds and Maureen Mercier of Walpole, MA were just a few of the civilian contingent at this memorial service, held 24 April at Liberty State Park in New Jersey, just across from Manhattan and where the WTC once stood. K-9 Sirius, a Yellow Labrador Retriever/Explosives Detector K-9, worked the World Trade Center with the Port Authority Police Department of NY/NJ with his partner, Office David Lim. K-9 Sirius died when the WTC collapsed. Officer Lim assisted victims to escape then was rescued from a precarious spot after the collapse. It was on January 22, 2002 they recovered Sirius' remains. All work was stopped. The American flag over Sirius as he was recovered with dignity. Among the solemn moments, was the presentation by the FBI Officer-In-Charge at Fresh Kills WTC recovery. He noted that over 1,100 vehicles were recovered. They were able to retrieve K-9 Sirius' water bowl from Officer Lim's cruiser. They had the bowl plated and engraved, presented to Dave. A heavy moment, like no other....MA K-9s at the service: MA State Police Tpr. Kathleen Barrett, K-9 Adam, and 4 handlers and dogs from Bristol County Sheriff's Department. Handlers and their partners came from: CALIFORNIA, INDIANA, VIRGINIA, FLORIDA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, CONNECTICUT, PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS( including Chicago P.D.) Emotions filled that moment when the 21 gun salute (3 rounds of 7 guns) were fired, right on cue, those Patrol Duty K-9s barked up a storm, but were quickly subdued, then a lone bagpipe started "Amazing Grace, and after one verse, the whole bagpipe group joined in. Ironically, K-9 Sirius officially began his K-9 work on 7/4/2000 - Independence Day. It was a joy to see K-9 Sprig, Dave Lim's new partner, a black lab retriever, with him yesterday. They graduated the Explosives Detector school on March 27th. I wish I could better put into words all that I felt and saw...this will suffice. We know Sirius will be patiently waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. The Port Authority Police "Medal of Honor", the highest medal awarded for bravery was awarded to Sirius posthumously. Lim has been reassigned to work as an officer at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels with his new partner, Sprig, "Sprig has some big paws to fill," quoted David. We know that many officers - and civilians - share David Lim's loss, and that will help him give the Grace to face each day. The sharing helps each of us, too, post September 11, 2001. |
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(Lulu) Louise Krause Tuesday: Bob & I checked out the park the afternoon prior to memorial service. We wanted to make sure where to arrive early the next morning. The Liberty State Park is very large, and at that time was almost empty. The weather over these two days was beautiful with the sun sparkling on the Manhattan skyline that was awesome for us because we don't take it for granted. Yes, we could see broken windows in skyscrapers near Ground Zero. A constant reminder of September 11th 2001. Wednesday: As we approached the area, we found ourselves in a sea of a hundred or more K-9s. "I WAS IN HEAVEN!" There were Police & Sheriff's K-9 patrol cars from all over the USA. Also, a very large PAPD bus (see below), painted with graphics about Sirius, the Port Authority Police Dept. and the names of 37 others who gave their lives on that tragic-eventful day. You could hear the practice sessions of 2 bagpipe-drum corps. Men and women dressed in uniforms, including many from the San Francisco Fire Department. It was a military event familiar to us since we attend many USCG events in Cape May. There were chairs set up for many guests. Suddenly, photographers from all over appeared in front of everyone to cover the service. The stage was set with "important" people near a display of Sirius' oil portrait, urn, and American flag. Lapel pins and programs were given to guests. A long table was set up near another long table that had refreshments. This displayed token gifts sent to the Lim's from people all over the country, I will show a few on photos on the next page. Dave was proud of his family, parents, co-workers and superiors for all their support. Best of all for us, was meeting Dave & his family and new partner, Sprig, face to face instead of e-mail. Sprig, incidentally, knocked me on my A-S-S- when I stooped down to pet him...why? Sprig not only has a great nose for 25 or more explosives, but rawhides too. I had one hidden, sealed and in a heavy canvas bag. He knew it, a gift for later. During the service, I never saw so many L.E. with tears streaming down their cheeks. From 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM ( when we departed for home, and I am sure afterwards) Dave was unselfishly giving individual time to everyone who wanted to speak to him. His family patiently watched. He kept his composure and generously made everyone feel very special as though each was the most important person there. He displayed his sincere appreciation of everyone's attendance. Needless to say, emotions were high. The guests acted like one big family comforting each other. I know support was there for the Lim family and others who lost friends & relatives. We were honored to be a part of this celebration of the life of Sirius. ~lulu 
Thanks Cathy T. for the above photo |
Click here for PAPD's Tributes To Sirius
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If you check out this site, click on heading that says "Send Thanks to the Troops" You can fill out a short form to have your name added to the "thank you" list going to the troops. |
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email Debbie Stonebraker The artist is following protocol concerning the printing of the Salute to Sirius painting. The hope is to have prints available by the first anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. All of the profits will be donated to canine charities. Please check back for updates. click on For Sirius laminated memorial cards , or or email lulu |
