Going under ground zero, where a dangerous cleanup was underway | 60 Minutes Archive

60 Minutes Rewind. 60 Minutes Rewind. >> It all started in Manhattan nearly two >> It all started in Manhattan nearly two >> It all started in Manhattan nearly two months ago at a place that will be known months ago at a place that will be known months ago at a place that will be known forever as ground zero. An act of forever as ground zero. An act of forever as ground zero. An act of terrorism and mass murder that ignited a terrorism and mass murder that ignited a terrorism and mass murder that ignited a war that now has no end in sight. We war that now has no end in sight. We war that now has no end in sight. We have learned about the people who died have learned about the people who died have learned about the people who died there, the murderers who killed there, there, the murderers who killed there, there, the murderers who killed there, the heroes who still work there. the heroes who still work there. the heroes who still work there. Tonight, for the first time, we take you Tonight, for the first time, we take you Tonight, for the first time, we take you under ground zero to a once vibrant under ground zero to a once vibrant under ground zero to a once vibrant underground city within a city that is underground city within a city that is underground city within a city that is now a 16 acre burial ground. A place now a 16 acre burial ground. A place now a 16 acre burial ground. A place where the effort to rebuild, both where the effort to rebuild, both where the effort to rebuild, both physically and psychologically, faces physically and psychologically, faces physically and psychologically, faces extraordinary challenges. extraordinary challenges. extraordinary challenges. 7 weeks and a day after the attack on 7 weeks and a day after the attack on 7 weeks and a day after the attack on America's Twin Towers, there is still America's Twin Towers, there is still America's Twin Towers, there is still smoke in the air at ground zero. They smoke in the air at ground zero. They smoke in the air at ground zero. They can't put out the subterranean fires. It can't put out the subterranean fires. It can't put out the subterranean fires. It will be several more months before all will be several more months before all will be several more months before all the debris here will be carted away. And the debris here will be carted away. And the debris here will be carted away. And then there will be an even more daunting then there will be an even more daunting then there will be an even more daunting and dangerous and timeconsuming cleanup and dangerous and timeconsuming cleanup and dangerous and timeconsuming cleanup job. Digging up and repairing what you job. Digging up and repairing what you job. Digging up and repairing what you can't see here, the tunnels and garages can't see here, the tunnels and garages can't see here, the tunnels and garages and underground mall beneath ground and underground mall beneath ground and underground mall beneath ground zero. Ken Holden, commissioner of New zero. Ken Holden, commissioner of New zero. Ken Holden, commissioner of New York's Department of Design and York's Department of Design and York's Department of Design and Construction, is the city's pointman in Construction, is the city's pointman in Construction, is the city's pointman in the cleanup effort. He says debris from the cleanup effort. He says debris from the cleanup effort. He says debris from the tall towers crashed through the roof the tall towers crashed through the roof the tall towers crashed through the roof of this building, World Trade Center of this building, World Trade Center of this building, World Trade Center Building 6, and through the basement's Building 6, and through the basement's Building 6, and through the basement's six stories underground.

six stories underground. six stories underground. Large chunks of that heavy uh facade Large chunks of that heavy uh facade Large chunks of that heavy uh facade broke off and presumably from floor, you broke off and presumably from floor, you broke off and presumably from floor, you know, from the from the upper floors, 90 know, from the from the upper floors, 90 know, from the from the upper floors, 90 or higher, and just crashed through the or higher, and just crashed through the or higher, and just crashed through the center of this building, crashing center of this building, crashing center of this building, crashing through the nine floors of this through the nine floors of this through the nine floors of this building. And you'll see when we go building. And you'll see when we go building. And you'll see when we go underground, crashing through many of underground, crashing through many of underground, crashing through many of the uh the concrete slabs that create the uh the concrete slabs that create the uh the concrete slabs that create the parking structure. the parking structure. the parking structure. >> The debris, some of the individual >> The debris, some of the individual >> The debris, some of the individual pieces weighing 30 tons, cannonballed pieces weighing 30 tons, cannonballed pieces weighing 30 tons, cannonballed through building 6, creating an open through building 6, creating an open through building 6, creating an open space that looks like an atrium. It left space that looks like an atrium. It left space that looks like an atrium. It left much of the building unstable above much of the building unstable above much of the building unstable above ground and below. ground and below. ground and below. >> Be really careful here. It's a lot of >> Be really careful here. It's a lot of >> Be really careful here. It's a lot of these blocks are loose. these blocks are loose. these blocks are loose. >> Down below, there are cracks and >> Down below, there are cracks and >> Down below, there are cracks and fissures in the staircases and walls. fissures in the staircases and walls. fissures in the staircases and walls. regularly and everybody. regularly and everybody. regularly and everybody. >> There's a hell of a crack in this >> There's a hell of a crack in this >> There's a hell of a crack in this >> and there was worse to come. It is still >> and there was worse to come. It is still >> and there was worse to come. It is still very dangerous down here. very dangerous down here. very dangerous down here. >> A war zone. >> A war zone. >> A war zone. >> The deeper we descended, the darker and >> The deeper we descended, the darker and >> The deeper we descended, the darker and dreer and dustier it became. dreer and dustier it became. dreer and dustier it became. >> See, they got all those concrete blocks >> See, they got all those concrete blocks >> See, they got all those concrete blocks above your head. So, please just kind of above your head. So, please just kind of above your head. So, please just kind of keep an eye. Try to stay off underneath keep an eye. Try to stay off underneath keep an eye. Try to stay off underneath them. They're only being held on by them. They're only being held on by them. They're only being held on by wires.

wires. wires. >> You could smell smoke. And when the wind >> You could smell smoke. And when the wind >> You could smell smoke. And when the wind shifts in certain pockets, there is the shifts in certain pockets, there is the shifts in certain pockets, there is the uniquely unmistakable smell of death. uniquely unmistakable smell of death. uniquely unmistakable smell of death. There was devastation everywhere. There was devastation everywhere. There was devastation everywhere. >> So much damage to the superructure that >> So much damage to the superructure that >> So much damage to the superructure that quite frankly we were surprised to see quite frankly we were surprised to see quite frankly we were surprised to see anything still standing. anything still standing. anything still standing. >> And these are the huge columns, the huge >> And these are the huge columns, the huge >> And these are the huge columns, the huge exterior columns that support the exterior columns that support the exterior columns that support the exterior of the building. And you can exterior of the building. And you can exterior of the building. And you can see the the force of the fire and the see the the force of the fire and the see the the force of the fire and the explosion has basically sheared off. And explosion has basically sheared off. And explosion has basically sheared off. And so that when you look at it from the so that when you look at it from the so that when you look at it from the outside, you see that northern facade is outside, you see that northern facade is outside, you see that northern facade is leaning against this building. And leaning against this building. And leaning against this building. And that's why it's leaning because these that's why it's leaning because these that's why it's leaning because these have sheared off. have sheared off. have sheared off. >> Well, when you see a building standing >> Well, when you see a building standing >> Well, when you see a building standing intact, Ken, you don't think it's intact, Ken, you don't think it's intact, Ken, you don't think it's possible this kind of thing can happen. possible this kind of thing can happen. possible this kind of thing can happen. >> No. No. We're seeing very unusual >> No. No. We're seeing very unusual >> No. No. We're seeing very unusual circumstances throughout this building. circumstances throughout this building. circumstances throughout this building. >> We kept descending. This is [snorts] >> We kept descending. This is [snorts] >> We kept descending. This is [snorts] level B3, three floors beneath ground level B3, three floors beneath ground level B3, three floors beneath ground zero. We walked into what used to be a zero. We walked into what used to be a zero. We walked into what used to be a garage for the federal government garage for the federal government garage for the federal government employees who worked in the building. employees who worked in the building. employees who worked in the building. The daylight you see filters in from The daylight you see filters in from The daylight you see filters in from that giant crater at the bottom of what that giant crater at the bottom of what that giant crater at the bottom of what Holden calls the atrium.

Holden calls the atrium. Holden calls the atrium. >> I call it the atrium. Obviously, it was >> I call it the atrium. Obviously, it was >> I call it the atrium. Obviously, it was not an atrium. And you can you can see not an atrium. And you can you can see not an atrium. And you can you can see cars hanging off here. cars hanging off here. cars hanging off here. Cars down here. Cars down here. Cars down here. >> Good god. This is an automobile hanging >> Good god. This is an automobile hanging >> Good god. This is an automobile hanging like this like this like this >> with its uh tires burnt off. Obviously, >> with its uh tires burnt off. Obviously, >> with its uh tires burnt off. Obviously, the rubber has been burnt off. The fire the rubber has been burnt off. The fire the rubber has been burnt off. The fire here was so hot. Obviously, these cars here was so hot. Obviously, these cars here was so hot. Obviously, these cars are all burnt out. But you'll be able to are all burnt out. But you'll be able to are all burnt out. But you'll be able to see over, I believe it's over here. I see over, I believe it's over here. I see over, I believe it's over here. I see the aluminum hubcap is just melted see the aluminum hubcap is just melted see the aluminum hubcap is just melted right off. That's a puddle of aluminum right off. That's a puddle of aluminum right off. That's a puddle of aluminum from the fire. from the fire. from the fire. >> Oh, this is what's left of the hubcap. >> Oh, this is what's left of the hubcap. >> Oh, this is what's left of the hubcap. >> Yep. There's a car right down there. >> Yep. There's a car right down there. >> Yep. There's a car right down there. >> Careful. There's a muffler. That's a car >> Careful. There's a muffler. That's a car >> Careful. There's a muffler. That's a car down there. [snorts] down there. [snorts] down there. [snorts] This is really eerie because you realize This is really eerie because you realize This is really eerie because you realize it's not only a graveyard for it's not only a graveyard for it's not only a graveyard for automobiles. automobiles. automobiles. There's a graveyard for some people. There's a graveyard for some people. There's a graveyard for some people. Tens of thousands of people used to come Tens of thousands of people used to come Tens of thousands of people used to come to these underground tunnels every day. to these underground tunnels every day. to these underground tunnels every day. Not just to work in the towers and park Not just to work in the towers and park Not just to work in the towers and park their cars, but also to visit a vast their cars, but also to visit a vast their cars, but also to visit a vast underground shopping mall.

underground shopping mall. underground shopping mall. >> Thousands of people came here to shop >> Thousands of people came here to shop >> Thousands of people came here to shop every day. every day. every day. >> Sure. >> Sure. >> Sure. >> It was a city >> It was a city >> It was a city >> underneath the city. >> underneath the city. >> underneath the city. >> A very very vibrant place. Very vibrant >> A very very vibrant place. Very vibrant >> A very very vibrant place. Very vibrant place. place. place. >> Shops were down here. In addition to >> Shops were down here. In addition to >> Shops were down here. In addition to >> restaurants, 15 to 25,000 people per >> restaurants, 15 to 25,000 people per >> restaurants, 15 to 25,000 people per building between people who actually building between people who actually building between people who actually work there. You have the uh what the one work there. You have the uh what the one work there. You have the uh what the one and the nine train going through the and the nine train going through the and the nine train going through the middle of the complex. You've got the middle of the complex. You've got the middle of the complex. You've got the the path trains. I mean, this is a huge the path trains. I mean, this is a huge the path trains. I mean, this is a huge This was a mini mini city This was a mini mini city This was a mini mini city >> below ground. >> below ground. >> below ground. >> All below ground. >> All below ground. >> All below ground. >> We still had three stories to go to get >> We still had three stories to go to get >> We still had three stories to go to get down to the rail tunnels. down to the rail tunnels. down to the rail tunnels. >> It was pitch black, disorienting, >> It was pitch black, disorienting, >> It was pitch black, disorienting, >> and it was slippery. The floor was slick >> and it was slippery. The floor was slick >> and it was slippery. The floor was slick with oil and gas from the abandoned with oil and gas from the abandoned with oil and gas from the abandoned cars, and we were warned the floor could cars, and we were warned the floor could cars, and we were warned the floor could collapse at any minute. You see these collapse at any minute. You see these collapse at any minute. You see these cracks right here? cracks right here? cracks right here? >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Right along here. This is a cracked >> Right along here. This is a cracked >> Right along here. This is a cracked slab. You can see slab. You can see slab. You can see >> see it goes all the way. >> see it goes all the way. >> see it goes all the way. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Under a normal in a normal world, this >> Under a normal in a normal world, this >> Under a normal in a normal world, this is not a place I would recommend taking is not a place I would recommend taking is not a place I would recommend taking anyone to walk.

anyone to walk. anyone to walk. >> Well, that's the reason we want to keep >> Well, that's the reason we want to keep >> Well, that's the reason we want to keep moving here because this is unstable. moving here because this is unstable. moving here because this is unstable. >> The path commuter rail line is six >> The path commuter rail line is six >> The path commuter rail line is six stories below ground zero. Miraculously, stories below ground zero. Miraculously, stories below ground zero. Miraculously, perhaps, no one died in this station the perhaps, no one died in this station the perhaps, no one died in this station the day the towers came down. standard day the towers came down. standard day the towers came down. standard operating procedure for the port operating procedure for the port operating procedure for the port authority and the and the TA is when authority and the and the TA is when authority and the and the TA is when there's a fire to evacuate. So all these there's a fire to evacuate. So all these there's a fire to evacuate. So all these both the PATH trains and the subways both the PATH trains and the subways both the PATH trains and the subways were evacuated when the buildings were were evacuated when the buildings were were evacuated when the buildings were on fire. So when they did collapse, no on fire. So when they did collapse, no on fire. So when they did collapse, no one was injured. I mean we lost a lot of one was injured. I mean we lost a lot of one was injured. I mean we lost a lot of people but we saved a lot more than we people but we saved a lot more than we people but we saved a lot more than we than we lost. than we lost. than we lost. >> 35,000 commuters used to arrive in this >> 35,000 commuters used to arrive in this >> 35,000 commuters used to arrive in this station from New Jersey every day. But station from New Jersey every day. But station from New Jersey every day. But everything stopped just 5 minutes after everything stopped just 5 minutes after everything stopped just 5 minutes after Tower 1 tumbled down six stories Tower 1 tumbled down six stories Tower 1 tumbled down six stories overhead. overhead. overhead. >> Of all the things we've seen, we've seen >> Of all the things we've seen, we've seen >> Of all the things we've seen, we've seen some incredible things today. Seeing some incredible things today. Seeing some incredible things today. Seeing this empty train, this empty train, this empty train, >> it's pretty eerie. It's pretty eerie. >> it's pretty eerie. It's pretty eerie. >> it's pretty eerie. It's pretty eerie. And the sign that says next stop home. I And the sign that says next stop home. I And the sign that says next stop home. I mean, that's really kind of poignant. mean, that's really kind of poignant. mean, that's really kind of poignant. >> Fortunately, there was nobody in the >> Fortunately, there was nobody in the >> Fortunately, there was nobody in the train.

train. train. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> And this got evacuated. >> And this got evacuated. >> And this got evacuated. >> This was all evacuated. No one was hurt >> This was all evacuated. No one was hurt >> This was all evacuated. No one was hurt down here. But it may take 2 years down here. But it may take 2 years down here. But it may take 2 years before the trains will start rolling before the trains will start rolling before the trains will start rolling here again and even longer before a here again and even longer before a here again and even longer before a nearby subway line will be fixed. There nearby subway line will be fixed. There nearby subway line will be fixed. There are hundreds of miles of wires, pipes, are hundreds of miles of wires, pipes, are hundreds of miles of wires, pipes, and cables to be replaced. By the end of and cables to be replaced. By the end of and cables to be replaced. By the end of next year, Commissioner Holden hopes to next year, Commissioner Holden hopes to next year, Commissioner Holden hopes to have his area above and below ground have his area above and below ground have his area above and below ground zero cleared up. Price tag $2.5 billion. zero cleared up. Price tag $2.5 billion. zero cleared up. Price tag $2.5 billion. >> Ken, estimated, how much debris have you >> Ken, estimated, how much debris have you >> Ken, estimated, how much debris have you already removed? We've probably removed already removed? We've probably removed already removed? We've probably removed somewhere in the area of 400,000 tons. somewhere in the area of 400,000 tons. somewhere in the area of 400,000 tons. Uh the initial estimates that we worked Uh the initial estimates that we worked Uh the initial estimates that we worked out with FEMA, the Federal Emergency out with FEMA, the Federal Emergency out with FEMA, the Federal Emergency Agency, were somewhere in the area and Agency, were somewhere in the area and Agency, were somewhere in the area and with the Port Authority were somewhere with the Port Authority were somewhere with the Port Authority were somewhere in the area of 1.2 million tons. So in the area of 1.2 million tons. So in the area of 1.2 million tons. So we're probably about a third of the way we're probably about a third of the way we're probably about a third of the way through. through. through. >> That's 1.2 million tons >> That's 1.2 million tons >> That's 1.2 million tons >> of steel and debris. >> of steel and debris. >> of steel and debris. >> Most of that from the surface, >> Most of that from the surface, >> Most of that from the surface, >> almost all of that from the surface. >> almost all of that from the surface. >> almost all of that from the surface. We're just beginning to get below grade. We're just beginning to get below grade. We're just beginning to get below grade. And to those who say, "I appreciate And to those who say, "I appreciate And to those who say, "I appreciate their spirit, but they must be kidding their spirit, but they must be kidding their spirit, but they must be kidding themselves. It just can't be done." You themselves. It just can't be done." You themselves. It just can't be done." You say, "What?"

say, "What?" say, "What?" >> We will get it done. We took one on the >> We will get it done. We took one on the >> We will get it done. We took one on the chin, knocked us on our butt, but like chin, knocked us on our butt, but like chin, knocked us on our butt, but like all New Yorkers, we'll pick ourselves all New Yorkers, we'll pick ourselves all New Yorkers, we'll pick ourselves up. We'll dust our clothes off, and up. We'll dust our clothes off, and up. We'll dust our clothes off, and we'll get back to doing what we do best. we'll get back to doing what we do best. we'll get back to doing what we do best. >> But removing the debris that is >> But removing the debris that is >> But removing the debris that is underground is a logistical dilemma, an underground is a logistical dilemma, an underground is a logistical dilemma, an engineering nightmare. When the World engineering nightmare. When the World engineering nightmare. When the World Trade Center complex was built 30 years Trade Center complex was built 30 years Trade Center complex was built 30 years ago, an enormous retaining wall called a ago, an enormous retaining wall called a ago, an enormous retaining wall called a slurry wall was constructed below slurry wall was constructed below slurry wall was constructed below ground. The wall is 3 ft wide and 60 to ground. The wall is 3 ft wide and 60 to ground. The wall is 3 ft wide and 60 to 70 ft deep. It was designed to prevent 70 ft deep. It was designed to prevent 70 ft deep. It was designed to prevent water from the Hudson River, just blocks water from the Hudson River, just blocks water from the Hudson River, just blocks away, from flooding the six-story away, from flooding the six-story away, from flooding the six-story basements. basements. basements. >> Here is your slurry wall. This is >> Here is your slurry wall. This is >> Here is your slurry wall. This is probably an old tieback. probably an old tieback. probably an old tieback. >> The other side of this is the Hudson >> The other side of this is the Hudson >> The other side of this is the Hudson River. River. River. >> Well, the other side of this is is mud. >> Well, the other side of this is is mud. >> Well, the other side of this is is mud. is but but the water table here is is but but the water table here is is but but the water table here is extremely high because we're so close to extremely high because we're so close to extremely high because we're so close to the to the to the river that special the to the to the river that special the to the to the river that special construction techniques were needed. construction techniques were needed. construction techniques were needed. >> The massive underground containing >> The massive underground containing >> The massive underground containing structure is nicknamed the bathtub. structure is nicknamed the bathtub. structure is nicknamed the bathtub. >> That's the difference. The bathtub in >> That's the difference. The bathtub in >> That's the difference. The bathtub in your house is designed to keep the water your house is designed to keep the water your house is designed to keep the water in.

in. in. >> This keeps it out so that they could >> This keeps it out so that they could >> This keeps it out so that they could build the parking structures underground build the parking structures underground build the parking structures underground here. here. here. >> For 30 years now, the wall has been >> For 30 years now, the wall has been >> For 30 years now, the wall has been supported by the floors in the basement supported by the floors in the basement supported by the floors in the basement levels. floors that have now buckled. levels. floors that have now buckled. levels. floors that have now buckled. >> Because of all the damage, Kin Holden's >> Because of all the damage, Kin Holden's >> Because of all the damage, Kin Holden's engineers will have to shore up the wall engineers will have to shore up the wall engineers will have to shore up the wall with more than a thousand cables to with more than a thousand cables to with more than a thousand cables to prevent it from collapsing. prevent it from collapsing. prevent it from collapsing. >> You know, we're drilling through the >> You know, we're drilling through the >> You know, we're drilling through the 3-foot wall, drill 85 ft or so down to 3-foot wall, drill 85 ft or so down to 3-foot wall, drill 85 ft or so down to bedrock. Then we drill 35 ft into bedrock. Then we drill 35 ft into bedrock. Then we drill 35 ft into bedrock. Then we take basically the same bedrock. Then we take basically the same bedrock. Then we take basically the same kind of cables that they use on bridges, kind of cables that they use on bridges, kind of cables that they use on bridges, grout it up, basically concrete it up, grout it up, basically concrete it up, grout it up, basically concrete it up, wait three days for it to cure, and then wait three days for it to cure, and then wait three days for it to cure, and then they tension those cables and and that they tension those cables and and that they tension those cables and and that that sustained the wall. >> Something fell. >> Something fell. >> Something fell once the permanent >> Something fell once the permanent >> Something fell once the permanent >> Are we all right here? >> Are we all right here? >> Are we all right here? >> We're fine. >> We're fine. >> We're fine. >> Okay. Commissioner Holden knows he can >> Okay. Commissioner Holden knows he can >> Okay. Commissioner Holden knows he can never let his guard down here and he has never let his guard down here and he has never let his guard down here and he has concerns about the structural integrity concerns about the structural integrity concerns about the structural integrity of the wall when he starts demolition of the wall when he starts demolition of the wall when he starts demolition nearby. nearby. nearby. >> As we talk right now, parts of the >> As we talk right now, parts of the >> As we talk right now, parts of the slurry wall have been damaged a little.

slurry wall have been damaged a little. slurry wall have been damaged a little. Is there some water seeping through or Is there some water seeping through or Is there some water seeping through or not much? not much? not much? >> There is no more water seeping through >> There is no more water seeping through >> There is no more water seeping through the slurry wall now than there is in in the slurry wall now than there is in in the slurry wall now than there is in in normal circumstances. But it's a normal circumstances. But it's a normal circumstances. But it's a constant battle to keep it dry down here constant battle to keep it dry down here constant battle to keep it dry down here to keep the floods out. Even when the to keep the floods out. Even when the to keep the floods out. Even when the wall is intact, there are several inches wall is intact, there are several inches wall is intact, there are several inches of water in these tunnels. of water in these tunnels. of water in these tunnels. >> But this water is not seeping in from >> But this water is not seeping in from >> But this water is not seeping in from the river. This comes from the river. This comes from the river. This comes from >> fireman's water. >> fireman's water. >> fireman's water. >> Saving the wall is critical. >> Saving the wall is critical. >> Saving the wall is critical. >> If the tunnels flood, the water could >> If the tunnels flood, the water could >> If the tunnels flood, the water could pour into train and subway lines and pour into train and subway lines and pour into train and subway lines and destabilize nearby buildings. destabilize nearby buildings. destabilize nearby buildings. >> I don't know about you, but is the hair >> I don't know about you, but is the hair >> I don't know about you, but is the hair on the back of your neck beginning to on the back of your neck beginning to on the back of your neck beginning to raise a little bit? raise a little bit? raise a little bit? >> Too much. I've been I've been down there >> Too much. I've been I've been down there >> Too much. I've been I've been down there too many times. My my hairs are kind of too many times. My my hairs are kind of too many times. My my hairs are kind of worn away. worn away. worn away. >> Well, maybe you forgive some of the rest >> Well, maybe you forgive some of the rest >> Well, maybe you forgive some of the rest of us. of us. of us. >> Kin Holden is under enormous pressure to >> Kin Holden is under enormous pressure to >> Kin Holden is under enormous pressure to get the job done below ground and above, get the job done below ground and above, get the job done below ground and above, but he knows he can't lose his but he knows he can't lose his but he knows he can't lose his sensitivity or perspective. sensitivity or perspective. sensitivity or perspective. >> This is probably about two weeks ago >> This is probably about two weeks ago >> This is probably about two weeks ago where a father firefighter was uh where a father firefighter was uh where a father firefighter was uh walking around uh asking us to hold off walking around uh asking us to hold off walking around uh asking us to hold off on the road building operation. Uh he on the road building operation. Uh he on the road building operation. Uh he basically pointed to a road to his left.

basically pointed to a road to his left. basically pointed to a road to his left. He said, "You you guys have already He said, "You you guys have already He said, "You you guys have already buried my best friend over here and uh buried my best friend over here and uh buried my best friend over here and uh and I'm looking for my son over here." and I'm looking for my son over here." and I'm looking for my son over here." And he was pointing to the area where And he was pointing to the area where And he was pointing to the area where we're building another road. I saw out we're building another road. I saw out we're building another road. I saw out of the corner of my eye the uh father of the corner of my eye the uh father of the corner of my eye the uh father going climbing up to the debris pile going climbing up to the debris pile going climbing up to the debris pile with a spade and picking up uh spadefuls with a spade and picking up uh spadefuls with a spade and picking up uh spadefuls of uh of debris uh looking for a son in of uh of debris uh looking for a son in of uh of debris uh looking for a son in that manner and then threw the spadefuls that manner and then threw the spadefuls that manner and then threw the spadefuls back and continued to climb and look for back and continued to climb and look for back and continued to climb and look for spadefuls. It was probably probably spadefuls. It was probably probably spadefuls. It was probably probably ranks as one of my more poignant ranks as one of my more poignant ranks as one of my more poignant moments. moments. moments. It's been 7 weeks and a day. It's been 7 weeks and a day. It's been 7 weeks and a day. Firefighters and other rescue workers Firefighters and other rescue workers Firefighters and other rescue workers still search round the clock at ground still search round the clock at ground still search round the clock at ground zero, looking for the bodies of the zero, looking for the bodies of the zero, looking for the bodies of the thousands of people who have died here. thousands of people who have died here. thousands of people who have died here. They don't want to leave anyone behind. They don't want to leave anyone behind. They don't want to leave anyone behind. >> Do you consider it sacred ground or is >> Do you consider it sacred ground or is >> Do you consider it sacred ground or is it now moving to a construction it now moving to a construction it now moving to a construction demolition and construction site? In demolition and construction site? In demolition and construction site? In order for me to work here every day, I order for me to work here every day, I order for me to work here every day, I think I have to segue away from the think I have to segue away from the think I have to segue away from the sacred ground considerations and move sacred ground considerations and move sacred ground considerations and move towards a a a construction site. But I towards a a a construction site. But I towards a a a construction site. But I think you can't work here without being think you can't work here without being think you can't work here without being cognizant of the fact that there that cognizant of the fact that there that cognizant of the fact that there that there people here, there's suffering there people here, there's suffering there people here, there's suffering here, there's dead bodies here, and uh here, there's dead bodies here, and uh here, there's dead bodies here, and uh and there's a need to treat treat this and there's a need to treat treat this and there's a need to treat treat this ground in a manner different from you ground in a manner different from you ground in a manner different from you would than you would in any other would than you would in any other would than you would in any other construction site. Since the attack at construction site. Since the attack at construction site. Since the attack at ground zero, Kin Holden and his troops ground zero, Kin Holden and his troops ground zero, Kin Holden and his troops have been down in the rubble almost have been down in the rubble almost have been down in the rubble almost every day. It hasn't been easy, but every day. It hasn't been easy, but every day. It hasn't been easy, but America is at war and Commissioner America is at war and Commissioner America is at war and Commissioner Holden plans to win.

Holden plans to win. Holden plans to win. >> I think my attitude is probably the same >> I think my attitude is probably the same >> I think my attitude is probably the same attitude that most of the guys have down attitude that most of the guys have down attitude that most of the guys have down here, working on a day-to-day basis, here, working on a day-to-day basis, here, working on a day-to-day basis, working on the pile. 60 years ago when working on the pile. 60 years ago when working on the pile. 60 years ago when the uh when the Nazis were bomb were the uh when the Nazis were bomb were the uh when the Nazis were bomb were bombing uh Great Britain and the uh bombing uh Great Britain and the uh bombing uh Great Britain and the uh British people were pulling out their British people were pulling out their British people were pulling out their family and their friends and their family and their friends and their family and their friends and their neighbors from the rubble. Uh Winston neighbors from the rubble. Uh Winston neighbors from the rubble. Uh Winston Churchill said um We shall not weary. We shall not we We shall not weary. We shall not we shall not tire. Just give us the tools shall not tire. Just give us the tools shall not tire. Just give us the tools and we'll finish the job.