ISHPEMING — A recently retired lieutenant who served the New York Fire Department for twenty four years, which included the September 11th attacks made a trip to the U.P.

For the past few months, customers at Carpet Specialists have been asked to make a donation to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named after a fireman who gave his life to save others on September 11th. The foundation honors the 343 fallen firefighters, as well as those veterans that have sacrificed for our country while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whatever the customers decide to donate, Carpet Specialists matches it. Recently retired Lieutenant and New York Fireman Raymond Thomas made the trip to personally thank the owners for helping not only fellow members of the military, but himself as well.

“I find this experience to be very therapeutic for me personally. I’ve had some issues after 9/11, I don’t know who wouldn’t but coming out here and meeting the people has been fantastic. It’s been very healing for me also.”

If you would like to donate to the cause, you can when buying carpeting at Carpet Specialists or click here.