Remembering 9/11/01
Posted on September 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm
As we remember the unspeakable losses of September 11, 2001, we also remember the immeasurable gallantry, courage, and devotion it inspired.
“Metal of Honor” is a heart-wrenching documentary about the iron workers who arrived as the World Trade Center buildings collapsed and stayed for eight months to make sure the area was cleared safely. “Up From Zero,” produced and distributed by the U.S. Department of Labor, is about the construction workers. The perseverance and dedication of these people is profoundly moving. Their humility, integrity, and compassion is deeply inspiring. No Hollywood version can do justice to the honesty and devotion of these people and the enormity of their contribution.
On a day when rattling sabres and thumping chests will be heard, it is a most excellent idea to remember these workers. Tremendous choices, Nell.
Nell, I was in a New York subway car ten days after the towers fell and I saw two guys in their thirties, their clothes and work boots greyed down, saturated with ash. They were holding their hard hats in their hands, coming home from Ground Zero after another day’s work and they seemed so depressed and exhausted. It was a crowded train and I walked over to them, first thanking them for all the work they were doing, and then saying all I could think of saying as a mom and chronic worrier about everyone’s health. I said, “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you’ve got to supplement your diet with massive amounts of Vitamin C.” In hindsight, it seems like such a lame and silly thing to say, but the two men perked up, actually seemed appreciative and added, “Oh no, they’re taking care of us down there. They’re feeding us. You can even get massages!”
I have thought about those two a lot in the years that have followed. I wonder how they are and wish them well. I hope they have not become chronically ill. Not everyone used masks down there. As a New Yorker, I’m somewhat ashamed of the fact that I tried to stay as far away as possible from Ground Zero. The people who worked down there for so many weeks and months, especially as the fire below was still burning, are total heroes. I’ll check out these documentaries. Thanks for alerting us all to them.
Being from the Midwest, St. Louis, my heart continually goes out to each and every New Yorker. I didn’t personally know any of the casualties of that dreadful day, but I continue to pray for all of you.
I just finished watching “102 Minutes that Changed America” on the History Channel. Gut-wrenching stuff. Can you recommend any other documentaries that capture the events of that fateful morning?
I’m glad you saw that show, which includes some of the best of the available footage. You might want to take a look at this collection of 9/11 documentaries available online. There’s a movie called 9/11 that includes footage from a documentary about a fire-fighter that happened to be filming at the WTC that day and so had some of the most immediate coverage of the events. The feature film “United 93” is a very powerful re-creation of the uprising by the passengers against the hijackers.
Thanks for bringing this documentary to my attention. I also caught “102 Minutes that Changed America” last evening. Our family had acknowledged the 9/11 anniversary early that day with a moment of silence and prayer and gone about our day. Then my husband started watching this and I put my book down and couldn’t pick it back up. The footage was so compelling and brought back such strong emotions and memories of how I felt that day. Powerful stuff!
The man Larry Keating was a friend of mine. we worked together after 9/11 and started to make too many waves getting healthcare for IronWorkers. He died shortly after the release of this film. Local 40 remains steadfast silent. I was injured and remain out of work, totally unrepresented and humiliated almost daily, or whenever I have to make a call or talk,(or beg) about any related issues and coverage. I pay most myself, on welfare and workers comp. It’s not a fair representation on healthcare available compared to what you read anywhere. I worked 3 months until November ’01. A few months in ’02,but was pulled from work as injuries worsened, haven’t worked since, not that I couldn’t, but it’s clearly out of my hands.