Sept. 11 is a special day for firefighters as well as all Americans. Firefighters work every day, caring for others. It is what we do. On Sept. 11, 2001, 343 FDNY brothers gave the ultimate sacrifice. We choose to honor our brothers. For many, perhaps, this sort of display is getting old and unnecessary, but that will never happen with firefighters because we are committed to “never forget.” That day embodies the spirit of service that lies within all firefighters. Sadly, it is not shared by our Fire Chief.

Our department was invited by Boca Raton Fire Rescue to participate in a 9/11 memorial event. We were even asked to assist them in flying the American flag from our ladder truck. It is a tradition on this day and any day a fallen firefighter is honored, that a form of apparatus is sent to represent each Fire Department. Fire apparatuses from numerous cities in South Florida – representing scores of Fire Departments – arrived to honor our fallen brothers and sisters who gave their lives that day. We asked our Fire Chief to allow us to represent our Fire Department by taking our ladder truck to our neighboring city, just a few miles away. The answer was “NO.” The Fire Chief was asked to reconsider on numerous accounts and his reply was still “NO.”

On the actual day of remembrance, our fire stations wanted to lower the flags to half mast. The question was presented to our shift commander. ‘This would need Fire Chief Approval,’ was his reply. Our Fire Chief was asked and he said, “No, the City Manager has to authorize it.” This unacceptable order was met with outrage. The Mayor was called, the City Manager was called, and then, and only then, was the request granted.

We then found out that most of the Fire Department Administration, Chiefs and their Secretaries attended the 9/11 Memorial Event in Boca Raton.

Please, City of Deerfield, support our traditions and on these very special events, send a Fire Truck to represent our city and our department. Also, out of sincere respect, be the first to lower the flags, not the last. Thank you.

The Men and Women of

Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue

Healthcare reform

Dear Editor:

This is a response to an [Aug. 20] Cal Thomas column on healthcare. He misses a lot of points, but I will ask two questions: Why are we spending so much more in healthcare than other countries and where does the money go? The U.S. spends $2.4 trillion for about $950 billion worth of care.

The problem with the U.S. healthcare system is the profit. We need to remove the profit out of the system. It is a myth that foreign healthcare systems are inefficient and bureaucratic; U.S. health insurance companies have the highest administrative costs in the world: they spend 20 cents for every dollar for non-medical costs (paperwork, reviewing claims, marketing, etc.).

Most doctors are paid on a “fee for service” base, which gives them the incentive to provide as many services as the insurance will cover (many of them unnecessary). This is true of specialists, who receive very high fees for expensive tests and procedures.

The bottom line is that the money is going to profits, overhead, exorbitant prices and medically unnecessary procedures. It is a system that maximizes income, not health.

Silvia Hall

Boca Raton

Deerfield Beach made a difference

Dear Editor:

I just wanted to stop and say “thanks” to my family and the entire Deerfield Beach Community. Thanks for helping me understand the importance of education and the opportunities that it provides.

I am so proud to represent my family and the Deerfield Beach Community first as a member of 1991 LSU’s track & field program and in my current role as an administrator for the LSU Tigers Football program.

Thanks and good luck to the young men playing football in Deerfield this season!

GO BUCKS, RATTLERS and RAIDERS!

Sherman J. Morris, MBA

Director of Player Personnel, LSU FOOTBALL

Baton Rouge, LA