On Sept. 11th, 2001, Capt. Burke called his friend Jean on his way to the World Trade Center. She begged him to stay away and he responded, “This is what I do.”
His father, William Burke, was a fire chief, and he aspired to be the man his father was. He dreamed since childhood of fighting fires. He never forgot the lessons his dad offered about what to do inside a burning building: Get the civilians out, and then take care of your men.
On the 27th floor of the North tower, a congregation of firefighters had gathered. They were dispersing to find straggling civilians when they came across Ed Beyea, a wheelchair bound quadriplegic. With Ed was his friend Abe, who refused to leave the building without him. The firemen were having trouble figuring out how to evacuate Ed as he was a 280 lb man and couldn’t easily be lifted down the stairs.
Suddenly, the building shook and swayed. A shock wave rippled through. Capt. Burke ran to the window and said, “The south tower just collapsed.” Mayday was declared and the firemen began to evacuate.
Ed Beyea, bound to his wheelchair, helplessly watched people stream past him with his friend Abe by his side.
“We’ve got to get them out,” Billy said. He then told his own men from Engine 21 to go ahead and get out of the building. They heard Burke on their radio encouraging them as they made their way down saying, “I’ll meet you by the rig” and “I’m right behind you.” About 28 minutes later, the north tower fell.
Capt. Billy Burke is the only one who died from Engine 21 on Sept. 11th.
He and the two civilians almost certainly died together. No one can be sure what was in his mind. Maybe he intended to take a risk by using an elevator to get down, and he saw no reason for other firefighters to share in that risk. Maybe he understood there would be no time to get a big man in a wheelchair downstairs, and Billy Burke wanted to save as many firefighters as he could, while refusing to allow Ed and Ab to die alone.
Gregg Hansson, one of the firemen from Engine 21 whose life was saved by Burke’s orders to evacuate, dropped off his stepson for his freshman year of college this year. It was the kind of day that is emotional for any family, a powerful yet typical rite of passage. He gave the boy a fierce hug and said goodbye, and then he offered thanks to Billy Burke.
Billy had worked for 25 years as a lifeguard on Long Island. One day while on the job, the oldest living former lifeguard came to the beach and his fondest wish was to swim in the ocean one more time. The man was frail, and in a wheelchair. Billy lifted the man into the waves and swam with him. Then they shared a beer.
We Will Never Forget!
121/2 yrs later I read this tribute because I was watching a "Friends" rerun. Billy you are a true hero. I will look you up in heaven. Mil White, Huntsville AL
ReplyDelete17 years since that day, it all came rushing back while watching an episode of friends. I for one refuse to forget. All gave some, some gave all. Thank you for keeping the human spirit alive.
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DeleteI noticed the plaque commemorating Capt Burke today at his firehouse and once again a great feeling of sadness came over me for all the people who died on September 11, and of all the heroic efforts of the first responders....The story of Capt Burke's sacrifice is a particularly touching one to me because he ordered his men to leave what was a hopeless situation and stayed behind himself...
ReplyDeleteI sponsored Engine 21 with "Never Forget" patches... for the young firemen, pay attention, be safe,and NEVER FORGET and/or educate yourself about this day. It will soon be written out of History Books if our present leaders have their way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this tribute to a well deserving hero.
ReplyDeleteNever forget...ever!
ReplyDeleteNever forget...ever!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you today, you handsome devil. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI feel honored to wear your remembrance bracelet. And I wear it proudly. Lest we never forget!
ReplyDeleteMy name is also Billy Burke from Manchester England. My father and his forefathers before him also were Billy Burke or William. My eldest son is 28 years old and his name is William Burke but he is known as 'Will'. I and everyone I have mentioned is and without doubt very proud of you and what you did and how you lived your life. I think of you a lot. Well done Billy Burke.
ReplyDeleteHad a crew member from engine 21 in my taxi today in Dublin Ireland. Absolute gentleman!! He told me of his captain Billy. I was honoured to meet this man and his wife and here his story today. Real life hero
ReplyDeleteI just returned from a trip to NYC where I discovered that my hotel was right down the street from Engine 21. I saw the plague honoring Capt. Burke and wanted to know more about him. Every single person that perished that day have their stories but this one hit me hard. He truly is an American hero how he saved his men that day. This world needs more Billy Burkes in it
ReplyDeleteIt's always the fat bastards that make a situation more dangerous than it otherwise would be.
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