Ground Zero Heroes
September 11,2001; a day that will go down in the history books not only as one of immense loss but for stories of bravery and heroism by countless souls.
The World Trade Center towers in New York City collapsed, the Pentagon was hit and a takeover of Flight 93 by hijackers foiled. Almost 3000 souls perished, but from the rubble came a new wave of American greatness at Ground Zero.
While we remember 9/11, let us honor the courage & sacrifice displayed by our first responders, civilians and countless courageous volunteers. Because these stories about such individuals, at Ground Zero, offer hope and inspiration as a tribute to human survival.
First Responders: The True Definition of Heroes
Local first responders, especially firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians were the initial victims to have sought out at Ground Zero.
While most people were fleeing for their lives, these 343 ran in the opposite direction — toward the flames and smoke; marching into certain destruction because of a sense of duty to save others.
This meant running into the towers for firefighters of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) draped consciously under clouds of impending collapse.
That day, 343 firefighters gave their lives — an unimaginable impact that resonated throughout the FDNY.
Firefighters ascending the burning towers, laden with heavy gear and grim resolve, is an image seared in many survivors’ and witnesses’ memories.
As civilians poured down the stairwells to safety, hundreds of these firefighters and police officers moved up toward that massive smoke plume…into intense heat…. toward danger all with one purpose in mind saving lives.
Their heroism and dedication to duty remind us of the weight that firefighters, police officers and first responders proudly bear every day.
The evacuation ENTERED NEW YORK Police and firefighters locked out of the burning building.
They worked around the clock arranging for people to be evacuated, helping the wounded and trying to keep some semblance of order through all that chaos.
Seventy-two law enforcement officers paid the ultimate price and added their names to be remembered alongside many of our unsung heroes — those that took an oath without knowing if they were going home.
The Civilians: Unsung Heroes of Ground Zero
However, civilians can also be heroes just like the first responders of 9/11 showcased (just not officially).
The twin towers were struck, and those within the World Trade Center — office workers, janitors, visitors alike–found themselves experiencing what it was like to have buildings come down on their heads.
But even under such severe threat, most did not merely run for their lives, but to help a co-worker or friend and often complete strangers.
Others who stayed helped the disabled, lending an arm or carrying them out. Still others organized evacuation in an orderly fashion, and the panic around them.
For a lot of these acts, the action resulted in their deaths because they would not let others be isolated and callously left to fend for themselves. Walsh, a BBC journalist with Sussex police at the time of publication, spoke to survivors and their families about being rescued by civilian heroes often forgotten from history — but who inspired humanity during its darkest hour.
One of the most moving stories was that of civilian heroism on United Airlines Flight 93.
Passengers fought back when they found out the hijackers intended to use that plane as a missile, aimed at their nation’s capital.
Faced with this reality, these otherwise everyday people acting heroically — whether they would have considered themselves so in life or not.
Aside from causing extreme loss of life in the hijacked plane this bravery saved many more lives since that bullet bound for DC or NY hit a field instead.
Volunteers and the Aftermath:
Not long after 9/11, there was an unprecedented increase in the number of volunteers and supporters. Thousands of volunteers and workers from around the country descended upon Ground Zero, helping in the massive cleanup. More than 300 firefighters, construction workers and others toiled day in and out sifting through the rubble in search of survivors or any traces of those lost.
Makeshift memorials erupted in the weeks after, as communities sorrowed and vowed to remake.
They fed volunteers, sat with grieving families and counseled Ground Zero workers stunned by the trauma of the scene.
The whole country turned into an unimaginable mass of resilience and unity, with millions donating their time, money and heart to pull New York City back up.
The toll on the psychiatric and emotional health of rescue workers and volunteers was great.
Thousands of first responders toiled day and night on the rescue and recovery efforts in lower Manhattan but many soon became sick from exposure to toxic dust at Ground Zero, with respiratory illnesses like asthma as well cancers being among the most common health problems.
The cost these heroes are paying for their courage and determination continues today, as they continue to battle the illnesses that afflict them; a stark reminder that 9/11 was not just another day in history but lives on instead — with those first responders who answered the call.
Ground Zero
Today Ground Zero is a hallowed and somber site of remembrance. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum serve as a lasting tribute to the lives of all those killed and lost on that one day.
The names of the nearly 3,000 men and women who were killed in New York City on September 11th are etched around the twin reflecting pools laid into footprints created by the original towers.
People from all over the globe visit Ground Zero to remember far and wide this great tragedy occurred, but also juxtaposed with that is strength — in realizing quite literally a twisted kernel of steel rose out of these ruins.
A place where the tales of heroism in sacrifice and perseverance are told and honored, so that generations to come know how important a day came from those who walked on it.
The Enduring Spirit of 9/11
On the 9/11 anniversary, we remember Ground Zero heroes What their bravery, sacrifices and selflessness reel us back to is the notion that despite heinous acts of atrocity committed against our species within specific time frames; there are counterbalancing instances where we proved just how incredibly compassionate & lenient beings true humans can be.
But those heroes of 9/11, whether first-responders or civilians or volunteers, showed us the best humanity had to offer – and for everyone who lived through that day their memory will be something held sacred forever.
Today, we commemorate not just their heroism on that tragic day but the spirit which they each leave behind- a resilience, unity and hopefulness more profound than we bear witness to everyday.
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