Woman donates 9/11 firefighter brother’s gear to museum

Henry Plowman, 44, responded to the plane crash at the Pentagon; he was diagnosed with cancer due to exposure from jet fuel

November 16, 2016 09:24 AM

By Ryan Dunn
The Blade

TOLEDO, Ohio — A Sylvania woman’s gift to the Toledo Firefighters Museum honored her brother and all firefighters who served during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Rhonda Charles donated the charred helmet of Henry Plowman, one of the Washington firefighters who responded when a plane crashed into the Pentagon. Mr. Plowman was later diagnosed with cancer, likely from exposure to jet fuel at the building, said Dennis Kookoothe, public educator for the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department.

Mr. Plowman died Jan. 22, 2014, at the age of 44.

Toledo fire officials and retirees gathered Tuesday for an installation ceremony at the museum, 918 W. Sylvania Ave. In addition to the helmet Mr. Plowman wore that day, the museum received another helmet and jacket he used.

This now-encased equipment ideally will encourage a greater respect for the country and firefighters’ efforts, said Ms. Charles, 52.

The museum provided a fitting tribute to his work, and she said she was pleased her brother’s dedication to the profession will be remembered.

“We just really want Toledo to shine. We have an excellent fire department and an excellent museum,” Ms. Charles said.

Mr. Kookoothe met Ms. Charles by chance during a presentation at the Ursuline Center. They spoke about fire service, and how the museum could provide showcase for her brother’s equipment.

“What a fitting tribute we were able to put together for it,” Mr. Kookoothe said.

He said firefighters are a tight-knit community, and he hopes exhibits like this can illustrate the dangers of the position. Mr. Plowman died just days before a Jan. 26, 2014, fire at 528 Magnolia St. killed Pvts. Stephen Machcinski, 42, and James “Jamie” Dickman, 31.

“His name is just above Steve and Jamie’s on the national memorial,” Mr. Kookoothe said.

Ms. Charles said her brother would frequently describe firefighting as “living the dream.” Even completing the more mundane chores around the station elated him.

“It was his life, his blood, his whole inner being. He loved being a fireman. That’s all he ever wanted to do was be a fireman,” she said.