By: Megan Way | Photos by Su Phelps
After 18 years, 9/11 terror attacks still hold their weight for the families of the victims. The Henderson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3438 on Wednesday, September 11th, 2019, held a 9/11 memorial ceremony where members who wanted to tell their story were invited up to the podium.
VFW 3848 members, mother and daughter Barbara Geidel and Debbie Doggette are immediate family members of three Rescue 1 FDNY firefighters at the World Trade Center; Barbara’s husband, Paul Geidel and two sons Ralph and Gary Geidel. At the memorial they shared the stories of their family. Mrs. Geidel’s sons Gary and Ralph Geidel both passed from 9/11. Gary went missing on 9/11 and Ralph Geidel passed 5 years ago from “complications” while working at Ground Zero. Mrs. Geidel says, “My husband spent 8 ½ months working at ground zero until it was completely cleaned”, looking for any remains of his son and or others. Paul Geidel wasn’t the only father though, him and seven other retired firefighters, known as “The Band of Dads,” were also searching for their sons’ remains. VFW 3848 Commander Dan Adkins said, “One of the reasons we see what we have today is because of commitment, commitment on the part of Ms. Geidel her family to never let this rest” Finalizing the ceremony the post then went outside and raised the flag with the Henderson Department Firefighters. T.A.P.S. was played on the bugle by VFW 3848 Quartermaster Leonard Griffin. All the VFW 3848 members attended the ceremony