By Ron Lane
It was one of those days that every life saver who works at surf carnivals, be it Nippers or seniors dreads – heavy winds and pouring rain.
On one such Saturday morning in March 2011, at a Redcliff Nipper carnival, lifesaver/Nipper parent Rob Frey was standing in the pouring rain, trying to get his mobile phone out of his rain coat pocket.
Finally getting it to his ear and answering back came the response: “Mr Frey, this is the Prime Minister’s office.”
“Yeah sure,” he replied.
The conditions of the day had left him rather short.
“Who the hell is this and what do you want – make it short.”
The answer was the same.
“Mr Frey this IS, the Prime Minister’s office.”
Again receiving a negative answer, the caller referred the problem to the Queensland Premier’s Office and after receiving the same – Frey was sure one of his clubmates was stirring – this department took the last step available, they contacted the Office of the Commissioner, the man in charge of Fire and Rescue in Queensland.
Identifying himself Rob suddenly realised it was for real.
“Rob, what are you doing? We have got to have all your personal details in order for you to fly to the United States of America by Tuesday. There is a big government meeting and our people want you there.”
Totally stunned, Rob informed his wife and the wheels began to turn.
What led to this day of turmoil started way back in the USA in 1998.
A contingent of Australian Army personal, attached to the Anti-Terrorism Unit Special Forces, whose job it would be to respond to any security threats during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was sent to New York. Here they spent two months training with such agencies as the “US Secret Service, EMS, NYPD and the busiest rescue company in the world FDNY (Fire Department New York) Rescue 1”.
At the completion of their training, as was customary, there was an exchange of gifts. The Aussies presented FDNY Rescue 1 with a Digger’s slouch hat as a mark of respect and their Officer in Charge Kevin C. Dowdell, responded with a “battle scarred fireman’s helmet signed by members of Rescue 1 and dated December 1998.”
Among the Diggers was Captain Warwick Penrose.
When the Diggers returned home the helmet went with them and stayed in the care of Penrose.
After a time the Digger passed it on to his mother who lived in Gympie; and there it would remained until she read, in late May 2009 the story of the coming Tour of Duty Run in America.
Following this, she dropped the helmet off at the Gympie Fire and Rescue base where Rob – who, along with an Australian delegation, was in the States helping to organise the run – happened to be stationed. It was Mrs Penrose’s feeling that the helmet could be some significance to the run.
Some time ago Noosa Today told the story of the run, The Tour of Duty across America.
Starting in Los Angeles on 12 August and finishing in New York at the World Trade Centre site on 11 September, 2010, the major purpose was in remembrance and respect of the fallen – 343 fireman and 73 police who died on September 11, 2001 (9/11).
It would be a combined run of Australian and American firemen (36 in all) and among the runners would be Noosa’s Rob Frey. The run, over a distance of 7462 kilometres would take 26 days to complete.
In May 2009 while assisting with the organisation, Rob met and became good mates with a New York fireman who was also taking part in the run. His name was James Dowdell; the son of a fireman who died on 9/11.
On his return from the States, the helmet was passed to Rob. Close examination revealed several signatures of the team of Rescue 1 – and one of these left Rob totally stunned. Unbelievable. There before his eyes was the signature, Kevin C. Dowdell, the father of his new American friend, just one of the hundreds who died on 9/11.
Realising the significance of the helmet, Rob contacted event director Leading Firefighter Paul Ritchie. After discussions it was decided that the helmet would be with them when they returned to the USA for the run.
Then in August 2010 just prior to the run, during a highly emotional ceremony in the residence of the Australian Consul-General’s in Los Angeles, the helmet was passed back to the Dowdell family, by Paul Ritchie, Rob and members of their team. The helmet, “bound in duty and a poignant reminder of the dedication of those who gave all,” was finally home.
Like many of those who perished, the body of Fire Chief Kevin C. Dowdell was never found.
Then later in 2011, following the Redcliff phone call incidents, the final chapter of this incredible story was written.
The mad scramble of fittings for new uniforms and the updating of the necessary documentation completed, and Rob was on his way.
On the flight across the Pacific he was somewhat apprehensive. It was not every day that a fire officer from Noosa was about to be treated as a guest of honor and officially introduced to a Joint Sitting of Congress in Washington, by the Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard.
In her address to congress, the Prime Minister told the story of the helmet – its journey to Australia and its return to the family of the deceased.
But Rob was not the only guest of honor in attendance that day, for standing by his side was his American mate, James Dowdell.
Recognising this, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to draw attention to the mateship that now existed between these two men – men from different sides of the world.
It was the exemplifying of the International Brotherhood of Fireman and the presence of both men that resulted in the ultimate compliment; a standing ovation from the esteemed members of the Congress of the United States of America.
Apart from the honor bestowed upon them, both were overjoyed to know that seated behind were several Australian Vietnam Veterans, bedecked in service ribbons and medals.
“Having those men supporting both Kevin and I on that day gave us both a real buzz. I couldn’t help but think of the slouch hat that our training team had presented back in 1998.”
Three days later, the long trip from the USA back to No. 8 Comet Drive, Sunrise Beach, Noosa Heads, was over. He was home.
Dropping his bags on the lounge room floor it suddenly hit him – no-one was home. His wife Donna was still at work and the kids at school.
Ah well, he thought, nothing doing so I may as well mow the grass.
Having made his decision, he changed his clothes, grabbed the mower and walked on to the lawn.
Then, Rob Frey, Fire Officer of the Noosa Fire and Rescue, who just a three days prior had been the recipient of a standing ovation at a Joint Sitting of the American Congress, began to mow.
As he pushed the mower he started to laugh.
“I thought to myself this really brings a man back to earth – being introduced to the American Congress to mowing the back yard in Noosa in a matter of days – man this really is living.”
Regardless of everything – it was great to be home.
