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MFD Dispatcher's September 11 Tribute Jeep

In March of this year, Thomas J. Rak Jr. began work on a September 11 Tribute Jeep.


The term 'Never Forget' gets used a lot during discussions of September 11th, 2001. 

has gone so far as to outfit his Jeep with 9/11 memorabilia as a tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives 11 years ago.

Rak has been working on the project since March, and many of the Jeep parts and accessories were donated by businesses that wanted to be a part of what he was doing.

Among the donated items are a BDS suspension system, a VisionX light bar, a High Lift fire rescue lift and Muddy Decals. The straps were donated, as well.

Rak has displayed the Jeep at such events as the , and has other appearances coming up.

It's taken a lot of work for Rak to get the Jeep into its current shape, but he says it's all been worth it.

"People tear up and shake my hand," Rak said of the reception that the Jeep has been getting, noting how much it means to many people. "That's why I do this."

Mike Dunn

Milford Fightfighter Mike Dunn has watched the Jeep's progression, as Rak worked on the project through most of 2012. 

"He just started one day," Dunn said. "Next thing I know, it turned into this."

Dunn was himself deeply affected by the events of September 11th, 2001. Up until that day, Dunn had been working two jobs, as a firefighter in Milford and running his own landscaping company.

As Dunn sat on his couch and watched the events of 9/11 unfold with his wife, he decided to quit his landscaping business.

"I wanted to focus on my family," he said. "Because I always worked. Family is more important."

Never Forget

Rak pointed out, "A couple of people asked, 'Why are you opening up the wounds?'" 

Rak said believes that it is important to remind people that after 9/11, "We bounced back."

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Two of the already built trailers the rolling tomato has fired up.
tlkensington May 15, 2013 at 05:28 pm
I don't mind more pizza if its good pizza. There are plenty of horrible and so-so pizza places inRead More Milford. Currently 314 B-port Ave is a boarded up building with a parking lot where cops love to sit. Either this will prevent cops from sitting their or will cause them to sit there more. Also ladies, Milford is known for its P's: pizza, porn, package, and pawn.
Jenny King May 15, 2013 at 04:35 pm
I second Christina! Is no one listening? we are up to our ears in pizza! Im pretty sure we have moreRead More pizza in milford than new haven! Where is this trailer going to park at the devon market!? the traffic the market creates is bad enough for people that live in that area without a mobile oven rolling on in! I hope they have thought of that issue at the very least!
Christina Durham May 15, 2013 at 02:18 pm
OMG...more pizza@!? I think that the secret to success in Milford will be to open anything but aRead More pizza place.