Firefighters from Michigan march through the Valley

One firefighter says he's walking for his father, who was killed in the Sept. 11 attacks.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- Michigan firefighters who are walking to New York have received money, support and encouragement, but the item they value most may be a teddy bear.
A 6-year-old girl gave it to them as they went through Brownstown, Mich. Her mother said it was her favorite bear.
"She said she wanted to give this bear to a child in New York who lost a mommy or daddy," said Jim Etzin, a Michigan firefighter. "There wasn't a dry eye around."
Etzin told the story as he walked along state Route 82 in Warren Township on Saturday. He said they will give the bear to the New York Fire Department when they arrive.
Walking with purpose: The purpose of the walk is to show Americans that police officers and firefighters stand ready to serve the country, he said.
Joining him was a Michigan firefighter who was dealing with the grief of the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks. Tom Smith, 23, was quickly marching down the highway in memory of his father, who was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed.
"I felt like I had to do something a little more on behalf of my father," he said.
His father, Kevin Smith, was hazardous material director for New York City. Tom Smith also had a brother who was a New York firefighter and who was critically injured in the attack.
Tom Smith went to New York the night of the attack and then returned to Michigan three days ago, just in time to join the walk, which began Thursday in Farmington Hills, Mich.
Smith, who recently moved to Argentine, Mich., said his family hasn't had much time to grieve the death of his father because of how busy they have been.
Not only was one brother injured, but three other brothers are in the military, and New York dignitaries have been visiting with the family.
"There have been so many people coming in and out of my house. No one's had a chance to feel anything," he said.
Supporters: Seeing the support of Americans along the walk has been helpful, he said. The support from schoolchildren has been especially touching as they walk through small towns, he said.
"They come out to the curb and wave flags and chant 'USA, USA,'" he said.
As they walked through Warren Township, people would park their cars and run up with donations.
Etzin said, however, that collecting money was only a secondary goal of the march, which is expected to end Saturday in New York.
"We are walking down the road with our hand out, but not for donations. We are reaching out to fellow firefighters and law enforcement officers," he said.
At least one of the Michigan firefighters is walking at all times, while the others ride in recreational vehicles.
Etzin said the important thing isn't that the Michigan firefighters are walking, but that they are joined by other local emergency workers along the way. Six Warren firefighters joined them on their walk through Warren Township.
"We want to demonstrate to the citizens of this country that we're committed, regardless of what happens, to provide services," Etzin said.
shilling@vindy.com