BY SERENA EDWARDS
Four days after the 25-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers, the impact on Ground Zero’s workers remained at HEART 9/11’s memorial service on Sept. 15. The event was in conjunction with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. Standing North of the Oculus, dozens of union workers and police gathered in remembrance of their fallen brothers and sisters on Sept. 11, 2001.
HEART 9/11 is a non-profit organization founded in 2007, by Bill Keegan a former Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) Lieutenant. HEART, standing for Healing Emergency Aid Response Team, collaborates with first responders that fall under the umbrella of the NYPD, PAPD, FDNY, and NYC Building Trades who were impacted by devastating events. With a team of volunteers they “respond first and leave last,” when it comes to crisis response.
On Sept.11, 2001 at 8:45am, two hijacked planes hit the Twin Towers. During this time, many casualties occurred from the attacks leaving a devastating mark on both the city and families near and far.
HEART 9/11, the organizer of the event, was founded on the backbones of volunteers who want to keep the legacy of those who passed as well as survivors alive. Keegan, founder of HEART 9/11, spoke about his connection to 9/11 and his decision to hold events like the one held today.
“I remember what it was like on September 11th. September 12th of 2001. It was devastating. So many people were killed,” stated Keegan. During the day of the attack, Keegan was near Port Authority; the day following the attack, he started working with other workers to remove the debris from the towers.
When talking about the foundation of HEART 9/11, the importance of community was embedded throughout the mission. “I started thinking about all of the incredible professionals that I work with down here and how they had such big hearts and how they really cared,” stated Keegan.
In collaboration with the event, the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Greater New York gathered their construction worker members for the event. Workers from all generations assembled in support of the ones that came before them. President of the council, Gary LaBarbera, spoke about the significant role construction workers played on the day of the devastating attack and how they rebuilt the area where the World Trade Center once stood.
With hopes of keeping the stories of resilience, Keegan and LaBarbera express how the next generation can play a role. “It’s the next generation that has to continue to, you know, speak that truth, and keep the memories of all those that served here in any capacity alive,” stated LaBarbera.
A theme of resilience rang throughout the event, NYPD Chief Gerald Dowling, explained that “That day was not abstract. 23 of our officers never came home. They ran towards the towers. They did what they were trained to do,” stated Dowling.
The memorial started off with a prayer from Father Brian Jordan, recognized for his emergency response during 9/11 and Pastor of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi located in Midtown Manhattan. Father Jordan prayed over those that were devastated by the event and also allowed others to see that their stories still matter.
He emphasized that it was the community that kept the liveliness going. “Together, they helped heal what had been shattered, rebuild what had been lost, and move the city forward with quiet determination and fierce love. The New York City Police Department understands that spirit because we live it every day,” expressed Dowling.
FDNY Superintendent Edward Cetnar, emphasized the somber feeling and expressed sympathy with those who lost loved ones.
Following this event, in a post event press release, impact and significance was emphasized more than ever. “Twenty-five years ago, our members didn’t hesitate when New York needed them most, and ever since, they have remained dedicated to helping our city recover and rebuild from these attacks,” stated Keegan.
Though this was a somber event impacting many lives, LaBerbra stated something that touched the hearts of many in the audience that day, “there were many people that said, Lower Manhattan will never come back. Well, 25 years later, I beg to differ because we have risen, we have come back.”