On September 11, 2001, 2823 people lost their lives as a result of the cowardly act of terrorism on the World Trade Center.  The terrorists hoped to instill fear, and to show weakness on the part of Americans in their home land.  Instead they were shown the strength, and resolve that makes our country great. Amid the chaos, over 25,000 people were saved from the World Trade Center.  This was the result of heroic actions of a great number of those lost that day from all walks of life.  The heroic actions continued from that time until the last bit of material was removed from the site. Undaunted by the weather, fatigue, or the emotional stress of performing the rescue, then recovery mission, the men and women of the PORT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPT., Port Authority of NY & NJ, New York City Police Dept., New York City Corrections, New York State Police, Passaic County Sheriffs Dept., New York City Emergency Medical Services, Salvation Army, Trades unions, Engineering, New York City Fire Dept., and untold other agencies made sure that of the 2,823 people who were lost, those who were able to be recovered, were recovered with the respect and dignity that they deserved. The recovery workers set an example for the rest of the world to look up to.  Their focus and determination, resulted in what was 3 years worth of work, being done in just over 9 months. This was done without sacrificing the delicate nature of their mission and the thoroughness needed to perform it.  In doing this, they have shown the strength, not weakness, that our country is made of. On that final day of the recovery mission, when they marched out of the site, they were the foundation of goodness and the messengers of our resolve and caring. May God Bless Them All! Lt. John Ryan Port Authority Police Dept., Day Tour Task Force Commander, Rescue Recovery Operation, World Trade Center

Shortly after the first jetliner hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, until the rescue, recovery and clean-up was completed on May 30, 2002 the Heroes of Ground Zero were there. They worked feverishly, tirelessly, endlessly.  Twelve hours a day, six days a week THEY WERE THERE.  No matter the weather, no matter the season, no matter the time of day ... THEY WERE THERE ... digging, raking, listening, hoping and praying they would find your loved one, their buddy, their co-worker. The Ground Zero Heroes Ribbon The purple ribbon reminds us that these brave men and women were courageous despite the dangers involved. The white ribbon reminds us that these men and women were united in their mission.  It didn't matter what department or company they were from, they were there to do a job and together they did it. The yellow ribbon reminds us of the tremendous physical and emotional strength these men and women exhibited. These are the police officers, firemen, construction workers, and ironworkers, whose faces we didn't see; whose stories we didn't hear.  They were the ones that for 37 weeks toiled over the 7 story high, 6 story deep, pile of rubble that had once been the majestic Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.  The task seemed unsurmountable, but THEY WERE THERE.  They had a job to do, a 16 acre crime site to investigate and disaster site to clean-up and they did it!

September 11, 2001 September 11, 2001 Even as the towers were collapsing rescue workers were rushing towards the danger and devastation, to help the victims of the vicious terrorist attack.

September 11, 2001 Unbelieveable devastation!

September 11, 2001 As police officers gather for information and instructions, a lone officer is seen heading toward the disaster site carrying a fire extinguisher. September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001 Workers looking and listening for survivors     September 11, 2001 A Port Authority of NY/NJ Police Department car that was destroyed in the collapse of the towers.

September 11, 2001 Photographer Thomas E. Franklin After 6 grueling hours digging in the rubble for survivors, firefighters, police and volunteers got the call to evacuate immediately.  As FDNY Firefighter Dan McWilliams headed out with the rest, he spotted a flag flying from a yacht docked behind the World Financial Center.  He quickly made his way to the boat, rolled the flag around its pole to be sure it didn't touch the ground, and carried it back to the evacuation area.  McWilliams passed his buddy, Firefighter George Johnson, and asked, "Gimme a hand, will ya, George?"  Firefighter Billy Eisengrein jumped in and also offered to help. The three firefighters quickly found a perfect spot - a single flagpole anchored in the rubble about 20 feet off the ground on West St.  They climbed a makeshift ramp so they could easily raise the flag to it's new home

In the first days following the attacks, hundreds of volunteers along with Search and Rescue dogs joined the uniformed workers in a desperate search for those that might still be alive and trapped in the smoldering rubble.

Mayor Guiliani, President Bush, Governor Pataki President Bush and a FDNY firefighter Volunteer Workers September 14, 2002 Because of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, President Bush visited New York City on September 14th.  He met with government officials and the families of the victims, but he also took the time to visit Ground Zero and speak to those that were working so diligently in the recovery effort.

A Sacred Flag Amid the rubble, on September 14, workers found a tattered and torn American flag.  Rather than destroying it, as is the custom for flags that are old, have touched the ground or are damaged, it was salvaged and raised as a tribute to those that lost their lives in the WTC disaster.  It was flown at Yankee Stadium during the World Series, at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, and was carried into the stadium for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

September 15, 2001 September 15, 2001 Several days after the towers fell, one group of workers reach for an empty litter as others remove the remains of a victim that has been found in the rubble.

September 18, 2001 September 19, 2001 September 18, 2001 A week after the towers fell, the task at hand is still unsurmountable.  The pile of debris is 7 stories high and 6 stories deep.  Everywhere you look there are police officers, firefighters, volunteers and heavy machinery working.  The work will continue around the clock for months to come.

September 27, 2001 A worker adjusts his breathing gear, while others in the background continue their search for victims and evidence.  The acrid smell of smoke from the burning debris continues to fill the air.

A Moment of Silence On October 11th, all work was stopped as the workers at Ground Zero joined New York City and America, for a moment of silence in remembrance of those that died on September 11th.

October 3, 2001 October 3, 2001 October 3, 2001   Heavy machinery continued to be fully involved in the recovery and cleanup, while workers continued to dig and watch for remains and any evidence the machines might turn up.

November 12, 2001 November 19, 2001 By November, with much of the rubble cleared, there still remained much to do.  While fire fighters and police officers continued to search for remains and evidence, ironworkers were busy cutting the huge pieces of mangled steel so it could be removed from the site.

November 20, 2001 November 23, 2001 More than two months after the attacks on the WTC, recovery crews remain on the job.  On Thanksgiving Day, several charitable agencies served the workers a traditional dinner.  Many of the workers family members were able to join them for the meal.  Mayor Giuliani took time to come down to a site near Ground Zero and serve those who continued to work, despite the fact it was a holiday.

Almost three months after the Twin Towers were attacked, the work at Ground Zero continues around the clock.

December 20, 2002 After three months and nine days, tired firefighters leave Ground Zero.  There is still a lot of clean-up to do, but the fires are finally out!

While the rest of America and the world tried to put the events of September 11th behind them and get on with their lives, the Heroes of Ground Zero continue to work and toil at the pit, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  A lone firefighter stops to view the Christmas Tree with the flag on top, and a small replica of the Twin Towers.

Please continue to Remember the Heroes of Ground Zero - page 2 to see the WONDERFUL job these Heroes continued to do in 2002

More pages for A Day to Remember America Attacked America Still Stands Proud An Open Letter to A Terrorist America Prays A Global Tragedy Can Osama Bin Laden Come Out to Play? NY/NJ Port Authority Police Memorial Remember the Heroes of Ground Zero Remembering the Heroes of the PAPD In Memory of Officer George Howard In Memory of K-9 Sirius A K-9 Memorial Service The Hero's Cross USS New York Where was GOD? What if YOU died tonight? Cathy's World The song playing is "A Patriotic Medley"