In honor of the 343 members of the Fire Department of New York who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on 9/11, Travis Arnold of Simsbury wore a Simsbury Fire District patch on his uniform on September 11, 2007 in commemoration. Travis worked for the Fire District for several summers and was sent the patch by his father Fred who served with the Fire Company as both a firefighter and a fire photographer, and is an Honorary Life Member.

These photographs were taken in Baghdad, Iraq on September 11, 2007 at the Swords of Qādisīyah, also known as the Hands of Victory. Two identical arches mark both entrances of a parade-ground which was constructed when President Saddam Hussein declared victory over Iran in the Iran-Iraq War. The swords are partially made from the metal of guns and tanks of Iraqi soldiers killed in the Iran-Iraq War. Saddam Hussein's forearms were used as the model and his fingerprint adorns one of the arches' thumbs.

Travis Arnold serves in the Special Forces with Operational Detachment Alpha 352. He has seen tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company thanks Travis Arnold and all our men and women in uniform around the world for their service and sacrifice.

Travis Arnold displays a Simsbury Fire District patch on September 11, 2007.

Members of Special Forces ODA 352 at the Hands of Victory.

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Travis Arnold displays a Simsbury Fire District patch on September 11, 2007.