September 11, 2008 The attacks on the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001 tested the determination of emergency responders well beyond their experience and imagination. As emergency calls poured in,-- New York City firefighters, police and emergency personnel -- whether on or off duty -- rushed to lower Manhattan.Unaware of the impending collapse of the twin towers, their sole focus was to get in and rescue tens of thousands of people.
As those first responders conducted the search and evacuated victims, the intense heat had rapidly weakened and distorted the massive steel structures.In less than 2 hours it was all over. Just after the twin towers collapsed, casualty estimates were in the tens of thousands. With many of New York’s most seasoned rescue personnel missing in the collapses, surviving firefighters took the initiative of breaking workers into teams to begin search and rescue.
Within minutes, emergency and support personnel across the nation responded to New York City’s – call for help. It would become the greatest rescue and recovery mission in the America’s history.
I invite you to read the diary I kept at Ground Zero. Based on a series of emails to my son, who was 10 years old at the time, you'll learn about the men and women who served during one of this nation's most horrifying disasters. It is a story of bravery and dedication, and a nation coming together.
Lou Angeli
Photos: "Ground Zero Imagery"
Video: "Answering The Call"
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