On the fifth anniversary of 9/11/01, a internet-wide tribute (Project 2996) to honor the lives of all 2996 victims of 9/11 was conducted by over 3000 bloggers worldwide.
Rebecca Buchenot posted the following on her blog to honor Sean Tallon. Thanks to Rebecca for allowing us to reprint this tribute to Sean.
Sean Tallon
When aircraft crashed into the World Trade Center's twin towers, it was New York City's Bravest that did what they did best - head directly in to danger, in order to save lives. Firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs - side by side - as was the case so many times before.
Together with members of that city's Finest, they made their way to the heart of the tragedy. Grabbing their gear, the firefighters began rushing into the gigantic structures to assist with their safe evacuation, while the paramedics and EMT's began tending to the injured below.
It was while doing those jobs - in the kind of rescue that they had performed so well, so many times - that their lives were taken from us. (Taken from here
Sean Patrick "Charger" Tallon was one of those such men. At 26, he had only a month or so left of being a "probie" (a probationary firefighter). Sean was one of the first responders, along with the other members of Ten House. Their station was right across the street from the World Trade Center. On the way up the stairs of Tower One, Sean helped a fellow firefighter that was having a heart attack, then he continued up with two more of his fellow firemen. They were trapped when Tower One collapsed.
Sean led an active and varied life. He was a Marine Corps Reservist. He also loved Irish music and playing the button accordion. He would practice for an hour or more on many evenings. The steady, easy flow of sweet hornpipes, tasty reels, and lively jigs would fill the house.
This is part of a song that was written for Sean, and was played at his funeral:
"Up the stairs boys, running to the top
Without a
thought to slow or stop
Upstairs boys on 9/11 and they kept
on going
to the gates of Heaven.
With the men of Ten House
was Sean Tallon...
Although he wasn't the first, he wasn't
the last...
With love of God and Country he never thought he
could
see such acts of hate...
As we remember our Charger
and the others
and shed a mournful tear for all his fallen
brothers,
Although we didn't know them all,
we knew them
well enough to know what they were made of...
And that was
hero stuff.
written by Dereen and Marian Griffin
Sean left behind his parents, grandparents, sister and brother-in-law, and extended family in the United States, England, and Ireland, along with many friends. He is greatly missed by all.
May you rest in peace Sean Patrick Tallon. I would like to offer up this blessing:
Traditional Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
The sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Thank you for all that you and your brothers do and have sacrificed for all of us! You and yours will be in my prayers.
~Rebecca Buchenot