Tribute Picture by Joan Edwards
The Port Authority Police Memorial
Tributes
Tribute Picture by Joan Edwards
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I type this Tribute in Honor of K-9 Dog "Sirius" who's partner was Officer Dave Lim. Sirius could not have sniffed this bomb out as it came from a direction beyond his range of smell. Nevertheless, he was a true hero. In perhaps some unknown way it was his way to get his partner, Officer Dave Lim, out of the Towers on Sept. 11.
They worked together and laid their lives on the line daily for
all of us. I do not live in New York but in Wisconsin and in some way I spoke
with Officer Lim and we became friends. For some unknown reason this has
happened, perhaps it's because of the love we have for animals or something
beyond all of us. I'm Very Proud to call Officer Lim MY FRIEND. I feel the
heartbreaking pain in the loss of Beloved Sirius. He will always live on in the
hearts of Officer Lim and his family, as well as mine.
My heart goes out to all that have fallen & their families.
- CJ in Wisconsin
Friend
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|
Idita-Rider
Remembers by
Teresa Reardon (MSNBC News) |
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Yesterday, I received Ron Burns' poster of Sirius. It is a beautiful work of art and a worthy memorial to such a true American Hero. This poster makes the loss all the more personal for me. My heart breaks for Officer Lim. Not only did he loose his partner on 9-11, but his wonderful canine companion. So many were lost that day and I visualize them having Sirius with them for eternity - offering the unique companionship as only a dog can provide. Hopefully keeping Sirius alive in our memories will offer some measure of comfort to Officer Lim and all the people that were honored to know him personally.
- Peggy Roberts
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I am a freelance writer who lives in upstate New York. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, I saw a story on television about Officer Lim and Sirius. A couple of weeks later, I wrote the short story that follows. A few days ago, a dear friend of mine, who is a former NYC resident and fellow dog lover, was visiting me and we were discussing the tragedy and the aftermath. She mentioned that there had been a recent tribute to the only dog to die in the WTC, a lab named Sirius, and that his remains had been found a few months ago.
I showed her my story, which I have posted on my
www.gullybrookpress.com website,
and she suggested I share it. I cry as I write this. May God bless you all.
Sirius
by Gina Giuliano
©2001
It seemed especially cold and rainy, sitting on a bench at the train station.
The river was murky and green, foreboding, bone-chilling, its surface a series
of whitecaps. I contrasted this to that day, nearly three weeks ago, when the
World Trade Center was destroyed. It was such a beautiful early fall day,
bright and full of promise. I remember years ago, when a Stony Brook
administrator died from AIDS on a crisp, blue-sky February day, and a friend
said to me, "It is too nice a day to die."
But I guess weather has nothing to do with it. I had a memory as I waited on
the platform of a report I saw on television two weeks ago. A police officer,
who had an office in one of the basement levels of the World Trade Center
tearfully spoke about his survival and his loss. He was in the building when it
fell, and he was pulled out of the wreckage and survived. But his dog, they
called him his partner, a honey-colored Labrador-looking young dog named Sirius,
had been left in a kennel in the cop's office while the officer went to check
things out early in the attack. Sirius was missing, he said. I hoped for days
as they searched the burning, twisted wreckage that maybe when they go to the
mall level there would be survivors, tucked away in a part of the basement that
didn't collapse, and that Sirius would be among them. But since that report, I
have heard nothing and I'm sure such a find would have been broadcast since it
would be nothing less than a miracle. I know they have done all they could to
inspect every crevice where a living thing could fit. Under the circumstances,
I'm sure they would report Sirius as a survivor, too.
People who don't love animals and perhaps even some who do may think I am crazy
or insensitive for writing this, but that dog's image, wearing a police vest and
a smile sitting alongside his human partner has become emblazoned in my mind as
a symbol for the horror of this tragedy.
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Thanks so much for doing a tribute to Sirius. In October when I
first heard about Officer Lim and the dog he lost, I called several news
organizations to see if they could do more about this story. I especially
wondered if Sirius' remains had been found so that they could be laid to rest.
Some would say he was "just a dog"; well I don't see it that way - all life and
all living creatures are precious and have a purpose. Please let Officer Lim
know that he and Sirius the dog he lost have been in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks again for treating Sirius as if his life and death did matter.
- Val Mayo
Boston, MA
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Sirius,
My two dogs, Miss Kade Bird Adkins and Mr. Shorty Boss Hog
Adkins are going to miss you very much and the loss of the New York policemen,
policewomen and firemen who lost there lives on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001.
My prayers to the families and loved ones.
- Miss Deborah Adkins and my two dogs,
Mr. Shorty Boss Hog Adkins and
Miss Kade Bird Adkins
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Today, on television I saw another unsung hero...
Today, I read about two more heroes...
Officer Lim and, his faithful companion...
Sirius the five year old dog. Sirius The Unsung Hero...
I heard the phrase, love, and loyalty sung today...
Sung, loud and clear, for all to hear.
They came from far and near.
To honor you Sirius.
I, too want to add my voice...
For you dear Sirius The Noble Canine.
For all your fellow hero canines, that continue to protect man.
For you Officer Lim...being a hero yourself.
Please accept my sympathy at the loss of Dear Sirius,
May God keep you all in His Hands for safe keeping...
- Arielle
A Loyal Canine Friend
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Dear Officer Lim,
I am a third grade teacher in Vermont and a pet lover. I was visiting New York
City and New Jersey this week and was headed to the Statue of Liberty via
Liberty State park. It was here that I cam upon the memorial service for you
partner, Sirius. I cannot tell you how moved I was and how sorry I am for your
loss. It was only when I asked a passing officer that I was made aware of what
was taking place. I do however remember seeing you on the news one night not
long after the tragedy. I remember the emotion I felt as you were looking for
Sirius and I prayed that you would find him.
I was very saddened to come across the memorial as it told me what I had wondered about for so long. Please accept my condolences. I also wanted to let you know what a beautiful sight it was for those of us passing by yesterday. I am extremely glad that Sirius got the remembrance that he deserved and I hope that you have found some peace through it. I have admired k-9 units for many years and I am glad to hear that you have continued with it. Again, my condolences and gratitude.
- Jennifer Ellam
Vermont
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What a smart, pretty boy Siruis was, tirelessly and skillfully doing such an important job, protecting the well-being of so many people and bringing love and companionship to David Lim and his family. Sirius deserves very high praise and remembrance, such a precious animal.
My condolences to you, Mr. Lim, for your tragic loss. My heart went out to you, when I saw you on one of the morning TV shows, shortly after Sept. 11th and when I saw you on the podium at the opening of the NY Stock Exchange; I know that you must have suffered through some very private grief and guilt as we all focused on such a tragic loss of human life!
I also know that in many ways, our love does not distinguish between the species; love for a dog can be every bit as abiding and enduring as love for another human... I saw an interview in 1988 of a former Marine Drill Instructor turned K9 officer, who lost his dog in battle in Viet Nam in 1968. He started to cry in the interview, as he related the circumstances surrounding his dog's death, 20 years after the fact. Animals can have a profound impacts on our lives!
The Port Authority justifiably memorializes Sirius' name, as
being among their finest who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty in that
terrible tragedy.
- Bruce R. Griswold
Atlanta, GA
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"The Promise"
He sits beside the Heaven's Gate
And heeds command to "sit and wait."
A promise, "I'll be back," was set
And in due time it shall be met.
And in due time ... it shall be met.
(For Sirius and Dave and a promise across eternity.
Walt Zientek - March 20, 2002)
Submitted by: Sandee Nastasi of Long Island Labrador Retriever Rescue
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I first saw Dave covered in gray ash crying over the loss of Sirius. He touched
so many human hearts. After a bit of searching I found his name and email to
offer my donation of memorial cards for Sirius. We
have been email friends from that very first time of sadness. I cannot say
enough good about the Lim family and the loss of Sirius. Dave knows he won our
hearts and the hearts of the world and didn't ask to be a hero. As he said, all
of the attention isn't worth the loss of his buddy, Sirius.
We love you, Dave...and good luck with Sprig.
- Lulu and Bob
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Dear Officer LIM,
I am a Police Officer in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. I (like yourself)
handle a Police bomb detection dog. I read your story with great sadness and at
this point in time I do not know what to say. I simply wish to pay tribute to
your partner -Police Dog Sirius and your 37 friends and colleagues that lost
their lives on that tragic day. Police Dog handlers around the world are
thinking of you.
- Officer Hill
Brisbane Police Dog Squad
Brisbane
Queensland
Australia
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A Seeing Eye pup was name "Sirius" in honor of the PAPD Officers
that died on 9/11. The PAPD has always been very supportive of The Seeing Eye
Puppy Project. Each year the pups are taken on a tour of Newark Airport which
provides important exposure to a unique environment that they will be expected
to work in as an adult dog guide. A website was created to allow people to
follow the pups growth and development. Puppy "Sirius" will be visiting schools
and civic organizations as part of The Seeing Eye Outreach Project. The URL for
puppy Sirius is:
http://our.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/puppy.html
Please give it a look and feel free to sign the guest book. Thanks, Brian
Foskey
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It was a warm April day in 2002, I was getting ready in my hotel room in Newark NJ. I was shining my shoes and my badge, making sure my uniform was proper. Officer Joe Martin picked us up in the PAPD K-9 unit Suburban. We took a 25 minute drive to Liberty Park to honor an unsung Hero. When we arrived there were police officers everywhere, and in there hands they held leashes to there partners. They ranged from Labradors, to German Shepards, Collies, Rottweilers, and even a few Greyhounds. As a firefighter my heart flutters everytime I hear "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, but something was different this time. You see my Mother is Debbie Miller Stonebraker, the artist who painted the portrait of Sirius, I have been around Labs all my life. My Dad and I , & even my Mom are hardcore duck hunters, and we have always used Labs to retrieve our supper. So I know what it is like to lose such a good friend.
On that day in April, I sat in the front row to watch my Mothers portrait be unveiled, & to give her moral support because she freaks out in front of a big crowd. When the time came to pull that beautiful blue veil off of the portrait I saw a sense of pride, you see my mom put in countless hours painting Sirius, putting aside her business to honor a badged K-9. I will also never forget when the 21 gun salute to Sirius took place, every K-9 in Liberty Park started barking , as if to say "Goodbye my friend". I have hardly ever saluted anybody before, so I had been practicing to make sure I was doing it right, and as they played taps on the trumpet, every Man & Woman in uniform came to arms, and as I stood there saluting, tears rolled down each cheek.
My prayers and thoughts go out to
Officer Lim and his family, I also gave Officer Lim a patch from my Fire
Department, letting him know that everyone in my department was praying for him
and his family. I hope that everyone who reads this, especially those who are
Firemen, EMT's, Paramedics, Search and Rescue, and most importantly Police
Officers can understand what it mean!
s to have a "Best Friend".
Sincerely,
Jacob Cody Stonebraker
Firefighter/EMT Winfield Foley Fire Protection District , MO
Petty Officer 3RD Class United States Navy
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http://our.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/sirius.html
http://our.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/sirius2.html
For a book on K9 heroes, including Sirius, go
to: http://www.k9heroesbook.com
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www.portauthoritypolicememorial.org
Port
Authority Police Officer David Lim waves the American flag while riding on a
dog sled.