RHINELANDER, WI (WTAQ) – Few things say Wisconsin more than a brat, fresh off the grill. It’s often the food of choice at picnics, backyard BBQ’s, and other gatherings of family and friends. So it’s no coincidence that Wisconsin brats played a role in the Badger state’s response to the horror of 9-11, in a heartfelt action that started with some cops, firefighters, and EMS drivers from Sheboygan.
“I like to think we helped in the grieving process. To let them share emotions with a fellow officer, even though we’re from a different area.”
Like many of us, Rick Hlavka remembers where he was when he first heard about the planes hitting the World Trade Center towers on 9-11. He had recently retired from police work and was teaching an EMT class at Lakeshore Technical College and watched the events of the day play out in horror with his students. But it didn’t take long for Rick and his friends with Sheboygan P-D and Sheboygan Fire to start thinking…
“Specifically our aim was to honor the firefighters, police, EMS people who had died.”
Within a few days they came up with a plan, a fund raiser in support of the families of those first responders.
“So we organized a brat fry, which turned out to be the entire county of Sheboygan.”
The goal was to raise $50 thousand dollars…..they came up with $147 thousand.
“It was exciting. I use that word carefully, because it wasn’t exciting like a sports event. It was just invigorating to see so many people come out and contribute. And do the work and support us the way they did.”
And they came up with another idea for the following spring too….How about taking donated brats, buns, condiments, and their grills to New York City and hold an old fashioned cookout to feed the people doing the recovery and clean-up work ?
“There were six of us that went out in March and set up a couple of grills at ground zero…at their commend center.”
It turned to be a hit. Some of the New Yorkers had never heard of brats, and were won over. The cops from Sheboygan became celebrities. Their actions were even portrayed in an Oliver Stone film.
“Quite a few dignitaries were interested in looking to see what some cops from Sheboygan would be doing at ground zero making brats.”
Rick Hlavka and the rest of the Sheboygan connection made friendships with their Big Apple colleagues…friendships that continue to this day. And he’s proud of that.
“I like to think that we did at least on the families, we made some sort of positive effect on them.”
He’s made many trips to New York City around the 9-11 anniversary over the last 20 years. And he very much approves of the fountains, the museum, and One World Trade Center, that’s gone up in the rubble of Ground Zero.
“Like anything, there’s going to be some people who aren’t happy with it. And I understand that. But I think overall they did a very nice job and I think it speaks well for the memory of them.”
And it’s a place where Rick Hlavka, and his friends from Sheboygan, grilled brats on a cold early spring day…and brought some much needed Wisconsin hospitality to a place that needed it.
“The after-effects and you look back and say it was successful and it must have been a great idea. It was successful because the community bought into it and supported us.”
Next up….
“Everything was just gray and dust.”
You’re going to meet someone from Green Bay, who was sent to Ground Zero within days of 9-11, and given one very much needed, but one very difficult job to do.
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