The firefighters and policemen would work their normal shifts, then spend all of their "off time" at Ground Zero. To give them a little hot soup or coffee, or a quiet and clean place where they could take their boots off and close their eyes for an hour...well, I wish I could have done more.
I worked the midnight to 8am shift. A couple of times during that shift, our group would load rolling suitcases with snacks, water, soda...and a couple of us had thermoses of hot chocolate. We trudged around the perimeter (which would take well over an hour) to offer this refreshment to police officers who were guarding the perimeter.
At the NYPD's command center at the site, we had made our offer to a police sergeant who politely declined. As we were walking away, she called out..."Hey, wait a minute! Do you want to look inside?"
She opened the gate for us and we walked inside. Soon I was a mere 30 feet from all of the twisted metal. Unbelievably, even 3 1/2 months later and in 20 degree temperatures, there was still a nasty acrid smell coming from the pile.
Our group stood stunned and silent for about 10 minutes while we surveyed the devastation. All of us cried.
This photo was taken by an Amarillo (Tex.) Firefighter who was volunteering with us that night. What you are looking at is the "iron cross" that was fused by the intense heat. On the crossbar hangs a fallen firefighter's jacket. It was 2am and it had just begun to snow.
More (I'll add as I find them):
Merri shares her personal remembrance here.
3 comments:
Nigel,
You wish you could have done more, but you did so much! God bless you for being there for those who needed even just a sip of hot chocolate or coffee - in that dire situation the "littlest" things are so incredibly huge!
I remember the cross and that photo truly captures the reverence I believe it stood for, rising above such a place of destruction.
Like you, I miss the unity our country had a mere 6 years ago, but you have reminded me yet again how important it is that we keep the terrorists at bay. We don't want or need another 9/11.
God bless you!
Wow, great post.
Thanks guys. It was an HONOR for me to do just a little. I'll never forget...
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