Over three hundred modern day

knights lost their lives when the World Trade Center came down. These

are truly times of great adversity. For as long as I can remember, in

times of adversity my father said to me, "Son, you need to be brave

in the face of adversity and wear a badge of courage."

Being a boy all of six years

old when my brother died, I tried to understand what he had said to me

as I wiped the tears from my eyes. I told him that I understood, even

though I didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about. It was not

until years later when, as a member of the fire department, I heard that

saying again and understood.

The badge has gone by many

names: The "Red Badge of Courage," a "Badge of Honor,"

or you might have even heard it called a "Badge of Bravery."

who wear it every day.

The story of the badge is believed

to be hundreds of years old, dating