Brisbane poet Rupert McCall pays tribute to his greatest 9/11 hero

When Liam Flaherty first heard Rupert McCall’s critically acclaimed tribute, written in response to 9/11, he was blown away and determined to meet the poet.

When Liam Flaherty first heard Rupert McCall’s critically acclaimed tribute, A Firefighter’s Dream, written in response to 9/11, he was blown away and determined to meet the poet. The pair have become lifelong friends.

Brisbane poet Rupert McCall OAM has released his long awaited anthology, Golden Soil and New York Fire Department Captain Liam Flaherty came especially to help him launch it. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Rupert McCall OAM, 49, poet, Paddington

I wrote the poem on the request of a bunch of Australian firefighters heading over to the US for the Tour of Duty Charity Run in 2010. There was a big send-off in Sydney, John Howard was there in his role as patron and I recited A Firefighter’s Dream for the Aussie contingent.

The poem was recorded and played at a function at the Australian consulate in Los Angeles on the eve of the run and was well received by the Americans. Liam was there and loved it.

He rang me on the spot asking me to fly to New York 30 days later for the 9/11 Ceremony at ground zero. Of course, I said yes. The purpose of the run was to shine a spotlight on the firefighters of 9/11 and the families who had lost loved ones and to raise funds for ongoing support. More broadly, it was also a coming together of Australian and American firefighting, police and military personnel who had united to commemorate and reflect upon the service of those that protect our nations.

The event culminated in the team running across the Brooklyn Bridge to a ceremony at Battery Park at 8:46am, which is the time the first plane flew into the Twin Towers. The Fire Department of NY hosts an annual ceremony at ground zero on dusk. This was where Liam wanted me to recite my poem.

The first time I met Liam face-to-face was on the streets of NY as the firefighters marched towards Battery Park. We just clicked immediately. Maybe it’s the Irish blood in our veins? We stayed in touch and he invited me back for the 10th anniversary of September 11 where I recited again.

Brisbane poet Rupert McCall

I’ve been back to NY most years since, including for a firefighter’s wedding or two!

Earlier this year, one of the boys got married on the Hudson River. Liam was the celebrant and I delivered a little tribute to the bride and groom at the reception.

When my latest book Golden Soil was ready to launch, I sent Liam a text and asked if he would come to Australia to lend his weight. He said he’d swim if he had to!

We have a pretty special connection. I have so much admiration for his humility. He was at the coalface of 9/11, but he is also the leader of the FDNY Pipe and Drum Band. They played at 600 funerals and memorial services in the years after September 11 including 28 in one day. Liam describes his initial experience on the day of 9/11 as something biblical. He says it was like Groundhog Day after that. He and his team dug through the rubble for nine months trying to find something, anything, for families to bury. He is an amazing human being – a true hero.

He won’t tell you this, but he is most likely going to be the next Chief of the New York Fire Department. He loves the camaraderie of the firehouse so much that he’s putting off taking the big job.

We share the love of a cold beer, music and sport. A night out often ends in song, Irish tunes in particular. Liam introduced me to the New York Jets, and, in return, I converted him to the Brisbane Broncos!

Liam Flaherty, 50, firefighter and Captain of Rescue 2, New York City

When I first heard the poem, I was moved deeply. It resonated in my bones. I lost every member in my fire house in 9/11. I had been to hundreds and hundreds of funerals and it was all consuming. I thought I’d heard everything in those nine years – speeches, songs by rock stars, and sermons from priests and politicians alike, but this poem was head and shoulders above.

When I heard Rupert’s words in the Australian consulate in LA, I said to one of my colleagues, ‘What fire house is this guy from?’ He had to be there the day the planes struck.

When they said he was from Brisbane, I was just blown away and had to meet him. I called him straight away and asked him to come to New York for the 9/11 ceremony.

Brisbane poet Rupert McCall OAM with lifelong friend and New York Fire Department Captain, Liam Flaherty. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

He showed up and it was magical. I didn’t really know what he looked like but when I saw him, I knew it was him. He had a presence. I felt such an instant connection. We sometimes wonder if it’s our DNA. We are both Irish except my family ended up in America and his in Australia.

He has extraordinary talent, but he is so humble. He’s just a really likeable fellow. We are lifelong buddies now. I feel like I am part of his family and, when I am in Australia, I feel like I am home. I feel such kinship here. I’ve never met an Australian I didn’t like.

We both share a very strong patriotic spirit and I think I have always had an inherent love for poetry. My parents are both Irish and I grew up in a musical home. I play the bagpipes. I put our connection down to our shared Celtic love for storytelling.

It was so good to be here to support Rupert with his book launch. We have been to numerous events including one for returned veterans (the 42for42 charity) at Suncorp Stadium. What happened to me at 9/11 has affected their lives too. They signed up to protect and I feel a great sense of gratitude to them. In between, we have been sampling the thirsty delights of Brisbane! Look after this guy. He’s a national treasure.

Visit rupertmccall.com.au to purchase Golden Soil.