13 Sep 07 -- Right after the Honor Guard meeting, months of collaboration between two countries, came to fruition.
Kevin McHarg & I had spoken during our visit to Sarnia, Ontario, on the last national tour, about minting the first Fallen Firefighter coin. We both wanted it to be Robert Foti, 
The coin was to be released in conjunction with the 9/11 anniversary. We wanted the first fallen firefighter to be a 9/11 hero. And Robert's mother, Rose, was the first fallen firefighter mother I had ever met ... And never forgotten.
We met here in Colorado Springs during the memorial, a couple years ago. Rose was so feisty, so memorable. She, and her friends all wore lanyards with pictures of her "Bobby". You could not forget his face.
We chose Robert Foti, to honor an American Hero; a fallen 9/11 firefighter. He is the embodiment of the memory of our fallen heroes. We're honored that he happened to have a mom like Rose.
So, after the HG meeting, we had sent the message through the halls to meet at 6pm (In the room where she serves up her famously delicious homemade meatballs with all the trimmings, to "her boys") to pay Rose a very special tribute.
We presented Rose the official Hero To Hero lapel pin, then Jay Bishop called in our special presenters, USMC Honor Guard SGT Jonathan Coffey, and Tacoma Honor Guard Commander, Karen Leming.
Sgt Coffey presented a flag (Cased courtesy of Jordan at Coinforce.com) that arrived that very morning, from Iraq, courtesy of the 63rd Ordnance "Wolfpack", of Fort Lewis, WA. They added a photo of themselves saluting the flag as it flew over their camp. Along with that they added a certificate, and a very special handwritten letter to Rose. Paraphrasing, the lines that brought her to tears were the ones that informed her "... never doubt that your son, Robert, was an American hero. Never doubt that you are, as well."
I read the letter aloud to the crowd gathered, and few held back their tears. This was our troops paying their respects, and it was felt over the miles. Well done, Wolfpack!
Then Karen Leming stepped forward, and as Rose still swiped at her tears, Karen presented the very first Robert Foti coin. Doubt any eyes were dry after that.
Hailey McHarg's pix caught the exact moment that Rose saw her son's coin for the first time. The room stood and applause filled the air as Karen and Sgt Coffey raised their salutes. It was a wonderful tribute.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Robert. Only his mother & brother, Frank ... who has that same twinkle in his eye when he smiles, which is often & heartfelt.
Robert represents for all of the Fallen Firefighters. He is the first in this series ... Sadly, he will not be the last.
The following are excerpts from: http://daddysroses.blogspot.com/2006/09/9-11-tribute-robert-joseph-foti.html ...
Captain Scott Dunn, Ladder 1 Everett Fire, Everett WA: Rose Foti (Bobby’s mother) and I met for only a few minutes, but we had both lost a loved one in the attacks. When we got off the shuttle ride we were sharing, she gave me a shirt to give to my friend’s widow. The shirt was imprinted: “Before he was an Angel, Hero, Fireman, he was my son!”
Maryellen Teaman, friend: Bob was a hero long before September 11. About four years ago when I was picking up my daughter from the Epiphany School on East 22nd Street, I saw a truck that was on fire, rolling down Second Avenue. It was veering toward 22nd Street. Bob was at the school picking up his kids. He saw the truck; he ran to it, opened the door, looking for the driver, who had gotten out of the truck blocks away, when it first caught on fire. Bob turned the ignition of,f the truck stopped, and a tragedy was averted. There were many kids due to come out of school at that time. The truck could have crashed into parked cars on the block. He did not give a thought to his own safety. I was in awe of his response. I called his house that night to thank him for being a hero.
Mike Nunez: Those who have never met Bobby have missed out on a very unique person. Bobby was a very decent man who loved his family and adored his children. I grew up on Grand St. with Bobby. Bobby was one of the funniest people I knew. Bobby was always there to lend a helping hand. I’m proud to tell my children that I once knew aHero Firefighter named Bobby Foti.
Joseph Guzzo: Bobby looked to enjoy his life and to spread happiness whenever he could. He was sharing and giving to friends and strangers alike. He played with his children, and gave them many memories which are sure to carry them through the rest of their lives. As a firefighter, Bobby was no stranger to helping people in trouble. I remember days when he and his good friend Jimmy helped pull struggling swimmers out of a riptide that threatened to pull them out to sea. Everyone knew Bobby. He was always talking to people. Never shy, he would turn to a new face just as likely as to an old friend. If there was a sudden burst of laughter, Bobby was probably nearby instigating it.
One of my best memories of Bobby was an episode of him and his brother Joe clowning around. I can’t clearly recall how it started, but I suspect Bobby was nudging his brother without respite. Joe jumped up and started to chase his big brother across the beach. In a wild lunge, Joe grabbed for Bobby, but only succeeded in grasping the leg of his bathing suit. Well, picture Bobby being dragged to a halt by the bottom edge of his suit. Gravity and Joe’s weight dragged the suit down a lot faster than it did to the rest of Bobby. Everyone on the beach got to see more of Bobby than they expected. Afterward, Bobby sheepishly returned to the group. He was a little bit red-faced, and still laughing about the whole thing. That was Bobby! He always made the most out of whatever life tossed his way. Events have conspired to take Bobby from our presence, but nothing can take the memories of his life among us. No act of man can eradicate the fact that he lives on in his three children. When one looks at their faces, it is easy to see that Bobby lives on in each of them.
Peggy Cunneen: The void in our lives seems so much greater because of who Bob was. You always knew when Bob was in a room. He was blessed with such great looks and his charismatic personality. After the first day of school last year, he was the only one who knew everyone's name. At the end of the first week his firehouse was building us new bookcases. Anything that needed to be done that year Bob took care of it.
Finally, read this tribute - a poem written for Bobby Foti by Ellen Brennemen:
Don't think of him as gone away-- his journey's just begun.
Life holds so many facets --this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing that we could know today
How nothing but our sadness can really pass away.
And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched...
For nothing loved is ever lost-- and he was loved so much.
***Robert's remains were never recovered from Ground Zero. Rose works tirelessly to have his (and many others) ashes removed from the Fresh Kills Dump, on Staten Island, New York. You can learn more about her cause at www.WTCFamiliesForProperBurial.com
But, we did not choose Robert for that reason. Robert, and his mom stayed with me long after I met Rose. She is a not-tall, Italian, New York mom. She is no shrinking violet, and she will tell you what for ... even if you weren't aware you needed to know it. She is strong, and brash, and a powerful voice for the WTC Families. (Sadly, this has become a political situation, and we stay completely out of any kind of politics. So, we have to steer clear, and let you form your own opinions.)
We chose the right guy!
lj
PS... And yes, it was no easy task pulling Rose out of the kitchen to present this honor. If you look closely, you'll see that just as soon as we had finished out presentation, she was already serving up those yummy meatballs! Hey, no complaints here!
FYI ... This is the 4th coin in the H2H Hero Coin series. This is our main fundraiser. Robert's coin, like Aaron Leming's coin, sold out almost immediately.
Our next coin will honor a Fallen Law Enforcement Hero.
You can nominate your hero at our main website's Coin Vault ... http://herotohero.us
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