Earlier this month our nation came together once again to remember the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the events that followed. Together we remember the actions of all first responders called to the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Together we remember the families of those lost in the aircraft, the buildings, and responding to the tragic aftermath. Together we continued to hold the Nation's promise to never forget the events of September 11, 2001, and to hold in our hearts and prayers the actions of so many soldiers now stationed throughout the world. Together, each one of us has something special to remember this month. As the years go and a distance from this tragic day increase, today I appreciate the opportunity to address the firefighters and fire service leadership of the Nation with a brief message. A simple walk out to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial serves as a constant reminder not only to the staff of the United States Fire Administration (USFA), but the 16,000 students and 35,000 visitors to the USFA each year the impact of that one fatal day, 9/11. There is, however, one alarming fact that we have overlooked. While together we remember the past, I wonder if we've not overlooked the present. This month, the national total of firefighters who have lost their lives in 2007 now exceeds 90 and is rapidly approaching 100 With 3 1/2 months remaining in the calendar year our national tolls are expected to exceed 120 firefighters lost serving their communities this year. My fellow firefighters, as of today, 667 firefighters have lost their lives serving their communities since September 11, 2001. Six-hundred-sixty-seven families are without their loved ones, 667 families are experiencing birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and new births without their firefighters. This is grotesque in its entirety. Is this the legacy our generation will leave behind, a legacy of firefighters too indifferent to put on a seat belt? Are we leaving a legacy of the command officers too indifferent to the obvious in choosing not to use the incident command service of the management system? Are we leaving a legacy of the fire service together unable to make the right choices concerning the health of firefighters cardiovascular systems? Are we leaving a legacy of the fire system that wastes so many firefighters racing in their vehicles to calls or driving too fast in emergency vehicles? While the nation forever remembers the firefighters lost on 9/11, how will we remember the 667 lost since 9/11? The only way is for each of us to commit to becoming a safety advocate in our department. Follow the life safety initiatives from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Let's start today and leave a legacy of safety for the men and women who follow us.