First Responders and Residents Share Their Experiences on the 25th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, first responders, workers, and New York residents share their ongoing trauma, health issues, and sense of unity.
As 25 years pass since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, first responders and citizens who were at the scene gather for commemorative events with a deep sense of pain, trauma, and gratitude.
Beauty Amidst the Destruction
NYPD Emergency Service Unit Officers Gregory Welch and Everald Taylor state that every day passing since September 11 is both a blessing of survival and a burden due to the friends lost. Taylor expresses that he lives life one day at a time and tries to appreciate everything, big or small.
Welch tells rookie police officers not to be afraid of being afraid, as they must step into duty with sacrifice. He also emphasizes that the best lesson to take from September 11 is how the entire country united the next day to support New York.
The Battle Against Illness and Hope
Retired Con Edison worker Cheryl Hall, who worked to restore electricity at Ground Zero, shares that she was diagnosed with September 11-related uterine cancer in 2021 and underwent surgery in 2022. Thanks to Hall's efforts, uterine cancers were added to the official list of September 11 illnesses, securing treatment coverage for many women.
From Radical Thought to Patriotism
Harry Pincus, a SoHo artist and former anti-militarism protester, explains that his worldview completely shifted the moment the planes struck the twin towers. Pincus expresses that he realized that day how much he loved America despite its flaws.
The Scar on the Neck and Unforgettable Memories
NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta states that the surgical scar on his neck is from thyroid cancer he contracted during his duty at Ground Zero, and he wants to keep it as a reminder. Gulotta says his son was also affected by this event and currently works at a foundation supporting the families of September 11 victims.
The Emergence of Trauma Years Later
Shaun McGill, one of the first police officers at the scene, states that he did not speak about the personal and professional traumas he experienced until he retired. McGill expresses that the 25th anniversary further increases this weight and that he still feels anxiety when he sees low-flying aircraft.
A Legacy That Still Takes Lives
Former Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro states that for him, September 11 continues to exist alongside a cancer illness that keeps taking the lives of firefighters. Nigro expresses that every August, the painful memories of that day revive and these feelings never disappear.