Ground zero responders recount their haunting 9/11 experiences | 60 Minutes Archive

60 Minutes rewind. 60 Minutes rewind. >> On 911, Dr. Benjamin Luff prepared >> On 911, Dr. Benjamin Luff prepared >> On 911, Dr. Benjamin Luff prepared Stonybrook University Medical Center on Stonybrook University Medical Center on Stonybrook University Medical Center on Long Island for the massive number of Long Island for the massive number of Long Island for the massive number of casualties he expected to overwhelm the casualties he expected to overwhelm the casualties he expected to overwhelm the emergency room, but none came through emergency room, but none came through emergency room, but none came through the door that day. So few had survived. the door that day. So few had survived. the door that day. So few had survived. As it turned out, Dr. Love's casualties As it turned out, Dr. Love's casualties As it turned out, Dr. Love's casualties were coming, but they would arrive much were coming, but they would arrive much were coming, but they would arrive much later. Although nearly 3,000 people were later. Although nearly 3,000 people were later. Although nearly 3,000 people were killed at the World Trade Center, 70,000 killed at the World Trade Center, 70,000 killed at the World Trade Center, 70,000 others responded to ground zero and others responded to ground zero and others responded to ground zero and worked for months amid toxic smoke and worked for months amid toxic smoke and worked for months amid toxic smoke and dust. Dr. Lu helped start a clinic to dust. Dr. Lu helped start a clinic to dust. Dr. Lu helped start a clinic to treat the chronic illnesses and treat the chronic illnesses and treat the chronic illnesses and psychological trauma suffered by the psychological trauma suffered by the psychological trauma suffered by the 9/11 responders. Over time, Lu 9/11 responders. Over time, Lu 9/11 responders. Over time, Lu discovered something that he never discovered something that he never discovered something that he never expected. He began to hear their expected. He began to hear their expected. He began to hear their stories, honest, raw, irreplaceable stories, honest, raw, irreplaceable stories, honest, raw, irreplaceable stories. And almost two years ago, he stories. And almost two years ago, he stories. And almost two years ago, he began to record the definitive history began to record the definitive history began to record the definitive history of ground zero, remembering 9/11 in the of ground zero, remembering 9/11 in the of ground zero, remembering 9/11 in the words of the people who lived it. The words of the people who lived it. The words of the people who lived it. The problem that came up was that our problem that came up was that our problem that came up was that our society began to look at the responders society began to look at the responders society began to look at the responders in terms of their disease. They became in terms of their disease. They became in terms of their disease. They became an issue in terms of their liability.

an issue in terms of their liability. an issue in terms of their liability. And my feeling was that that's not who And my feeling was that that's not who And my feeling was that that's not who the responders were. Let's find out who the responders were. Let's find out who the responders were. Let's find out who they are as human beings, what their they are as human beings, what their they are as human beings, what their motivation was, what values they had, motivation was, what values they had, motivation was, what values they had, what sacrifices they made, how they were what sacrifices they made, how they were what sacrifices they made, how they were able to renew themselves. It was almost able to renew themselves. It was almost able to renew themselves. It was almost take like taking a civics class as to take like taking a civics class as to take like taking a civics class as to what is important about being a citizen. what is important about being a citizen. what is important about being a citizen. What is important about being a human What is important about being a human What is important about being a human being? What is important to being an being? What is important to being an being? What is important to being an American? American? American? >> I worked at the makeshift morg. You know, saying I'm sorry for your loss You know, saying I'm sorry for your loss was very difficult because it almost got was very difficult because it almost got was very difficult because it almost got to be like wrote, you know. to be like wrote, you know. to be like wrote, you know. >> Stacy Goodman, a police detective, is >> Stacy Goodman, a police detective, is >> Stacy Goodman, a police detective, is one of the voices Dr. Lu recorded in one of the voices Dr. Lu recorded in one of the voices Dr. Lu recorded in what is now called the World Trade what is now called the World Trade what is now called the World Trade Center Oral History Project. Center Oral History Project. Center Oral History Project. At one point, this uh senior, I think he At one point, this uh senior, I think he At one point, this uh senior, I think he was a retired fireman. He comes in, his was a retired fireman. He comes in, his was a retired fireman. He comes in, his hands are cupped, and he's got bones in hands are cupped, and he's got bones in hands are cupped, and he's got bones in his hands.

his hands. his hands. And he goes over to the medical And he goes over to the medical And he goes over to the medical examiner. He puts the bones in front of examiner. He puts the bones in front of examiner. He puts the bones in front of him. He goes, "This is my son." >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> No one could possibly know 9/11 the way >> No one could possibly know 9/11 the way >> No one could possibly know 9/11 the way these people do. We asked several of the these people do. We asked several of the these people do. We asked several of the responders to give us a sense of the responders to give us a sense of the responders to give us a sense of the hours of testimony that they've put into hours of testimony that they've put into hours of testimony that they've put into Dr. Lu's project. Dr. Lu's project. Dr. Lu's project. >> The debris and the people rushing out at >> The debris and the people rushing out at >> The debris and the people rushing out at us. I couldn't even make it tower one. I us. I couldn't even make it tower one. I us. I couldn't even make it tower one. I made it to the base of tower 2. made it to the base of tower 2. made it to the base of tower 2. >> Carol was a cop on the scene before the >> Carol was a cop on the scene before the >> Carol was a cop on the scene before the towers fell. this big brawy FBI guy had towers fell. this big brawy FBI guy had towers fell. this big brawy FBI guy had his shield around his neck and uh I his shield around his neck and uh I his shield around his neck and uh I looked up at him and he's telling there looked up at him and he's telling there looked up at him and he's telling there was about six officers there with me and was about six officers there with me and was about six officers there with me and he's like uh if you want to live you you he's like uh if you want to live you you he's like uh if you want to live you you might as well leave now. He said uh might as well leave now. He said uh might as well leave now. He said uh we're all going to die. I'm like I can't we're all going to die. I'm like I can't we're all going to die. I'm like I can't we can't leave. I'm I'm not leaving. and we can't leave. I'm I'm not leaving. and we can't leave. I'm I'm not leaving. and the officers that I were there with were the officers that I were there with were the officers that I were there with were not leaving either. And we continued to not leaving either. And we continued to not leaving either. And we continued to evacuate and do our jobs, but you know, evacuate and do our jobs, but you know, evacuate and do our jobs, but you know, we were all like, "Wow, we're gonna we were all like, "Wow, we're gonna we were all like, "Wow, we're gonna die." You know, die." You know, die." You know, >> Paulner was trapped when the first tower >> Paulner was trapped when the first tower >> Paulner was trapped when the first tower collapsed. That's her on the left after collapsed. That's her on the left after collapsed. That's her on the left after she pulled herself out of the wreckage.

she pulled herself out of the wreckage. she pulled herself out of the wreckage. She's with a fellow cop and a woman that She's with a fellow cop and a woman that She's with a fellow cop and a woman that they rescued. they rescued. they rescued. >> I was one of the guys that was able to >> I was one of the guys that was able to >> I was one of the guys that was able to pull somebody out alive. So few were pull somebody out alive. So few were pull somebody out alive. So few were saved, but police sergeant Richard Doer saved, but police sergeant Richard Doer saved, but police sergeant Richard Doer helped pull out one rare survivor, a helped pull out one rare survivor, a helped pull out one rare survivor, a fellow cop named John Mclofflin. fellow cop named John Mclofflin. fellow cop named John Mclofflin. >> They were given John was [clears throat] >> They were given John was [clears throat] >> They were given John was [clears throat] uh given John McLaclin uh morphine uh given John McLaclin uh morphine uh given John McLaclin uh morphine because the uh the plan was that if we because the uh the plan was that if we because the uh the plan was that if we couldn't extricate him, they were going couldn't extricate him, they were going couldn't extricate him, they were going to cut his legs off. to cut his legs off. to cut his legs off. John screamed in pain when we pulled him John screamed in pain when we pulled him John screamed in pain when we pulled him initially. initially. initially. So, uh, we let him rest and, uh, So, uh, we let him rest and, uh, So, uh, we let him rest and, uh, we simultaneously pulled again and we we simultaneously pulled again and we we simultaneously pulled again and we broke him free broke him free broke him free and we pulled him out. we pulled him out. >> Boy, take some nice deep breaths. >> Boy, take some nice deep breaths. >> Boy, take some nice deep breaths. Benjamin Luft is a medical doctor who Benjamin Luft is a medical doctor who Benjamin Luft is a medical doctor who volunteered to help create a clinic for volunteered to help create a clinic for volunteered to help create a clinic for the 9/11 responders at Stonybrook the 9/11 responders at Stonybrook the 9/11 responders at Stonybrook University Medical Center, part of the University Medical Center, part of the University Medical Center, part of the State University of New York. More than State University of New York. More than State University of New York. More than 6,000 responders enrolled in his World 6,000 responders enrolled in his World 6,000 responders enrolled in his World Trade Center Health Program. One study Trade Center Health Program. One study Trade Center Health Program. One study shows that nearly a third of those who shows that nearly a third of those who shows that nearly a third of those who worked at ground zero have asthma. 42% worked at ground zero have asthma. 42% worked at ground zero have asthma. 42% suffer with sinusitis. Nearly 40% have suffer with sinusitis. Nearly 40% have suffer with sinusitis. Nearly 40% have gastroesophageal reflux disease known as gastroesophageal reflux disease known as gastroesophageal reflux disease known as gird and many have reactive airways gird and many have reactive airways gird and many have reactive airways dysfunction syndrome that the patients dysfunction syndrome that the patients dysfunction syndrome that the patients just call rads.

just call rads. just call rads. >> When you're a physician and you see >> When you're a physician and you see >> When you're a physician and you see patients you tend to reduce them to patients you tend to reduce them to patients you tend to reduce them to their symptoms and signs to their their symptoms and signs to their their symptoms and signs to their medical conditions and that's how you medical conditions and that's how you medical conditions and that's how you think of them. Lu listened to their think of them. Lu listened to their think of them. Lu listened to their stories in the examining room for eight stories in the examining room for eight stories in the examining room for eight years when he realized that his patients years when he realized that his patients years when he realized that his patients were the authors of one of the most were the authors of one of the most were the authors of one of the most dramatic chapters of American history. dramatic chapters of American history. dramatic chapters of American history. >> Your story of what happened on 9/11. She >> Your story of what happened on 9/11. She >> Your story of what happened on 9/11. She became hysterical. She had got a cell became hysterical. She had got a cell became hysterical. She had got a cell phone call that her uh the trade center phone call that her uh the trade center phone call that her uh the trade center was hit with a plane. was hit with a plane. was hit with a plane. >> With his own money, a few donations, and >> With his own money, a few donations, and >> With his own money, a few donations, and a small mostly volunteer staff, Lu a small mostly volunteer staff, Lu a small mostly volunteer staff, Lu started his interviews. So far, he's started his interviews. So far, he's started his interviews. So far, he's recorded recorded recorded 137. 137. 137. >> When the building imploded down, it blew >> When the building imploded down, it blew >> When the building imploded down, it blew me out of the building, and I was able me out of the building, and I was able me out of the building, and I was able to hold on to the doorway with my left to hold on to the doorway with my left to hold on to the doorway with my left arm. arm. arm. >> The first thing I found was >> The first thing I found was >> The first thing I found was an entire body burned into rebar.

an entire body burned into rebar. an entire body burned into rebar. >> They uh they put a line around our >> They uh they put a line around our >> They uh they put a line around our waist. I'm like, "Well, I'm going in waist. I'm like, "Well, I'm going in waist. I'm like, "Well, I'm going in this way. I'm snaking around on my belly this way. I'm snaking around on my belly this way. I'm snaking around on my belly around." Says, "There's no way you can around." Says, "There's no way you can around." Says, "There's no way you can pull me out. M pull me out. M pull me out. M >> and the guy just looked at me. It wasn't >> and the guy just looked at me. It wasn't >> and the guy just looked at me. It wasn't It wasn't to pull us out. It wasn't to pull us out. It wasn't to pull us out. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It was just to find us if we died. Yeah. >> It was just to find us if we died. Yeah. >> It was just to find us if we died. Yeah. >> Where we expected to see two tall >> Where we expected to see two tall >> Where we expected to see two tall buildings, we just saw buildings, we just saw buildings, we just saw a skeleton, a skeleton, a skeleton, the most powerful nation in the world. the most powerful nation in the world. the most powerful nation in the world. How could this happen? How could this happen? How could this happen? >> There's no clearer rendition of what >> There's no clearer rendition of what >> There's no clearer rendition of what happened at 9/11 than are in these happened at 9/11 than are in these happened at 9/11 than are in these histories. Who are these people? So, of histories. Who are these people? So, of histories. Who are these people? So, of course, we have the firemen and the course, we have the firemen and the course, we have the firemen and the policemen and the EMS workers, and then policemen and the EMS workers, and then policemen and the EMS workers, and then we have the volunteer firemen, and then we have the volunteer firemen, and then we have the volunteer firemen, and then you have the iron workers and the you have the iron workers and the you have the iron workers and the construction workers and the laborers. construction workers and the laborers. construction workers and the laborers. On 911, On 911, On 911, all Americans responded from all walks all Americans responded from all walks all Americans responded from all walks of life. of life. of life. >> I was a senior in high school. Uh >> I was a senior in high school. Uh >> I was a senior in high school. Uh realized that I have to go down there. realized that I have to go down there. realized that I have to go down there. I'm not I don't know how I'm going to I'm not I don't know how I'm going to I'm not I don't know how I'm going to help. I don't know what it can do.

help. I don't know what it can do. help. I don't know what it can do. >> My whole family's cops. I'm the 13th in >> My whole family's cops. I'm the 13th in >> My whole family's cops. I'm the 13th in my family to be a New York City police my family to be a New York City police my family to be a New York City police officer. officer. officer. >> I am a licensed massage therapist. I >> I am a licensed massage therapist. I >> I am a licensed massage therapist. I just felt like I had to be down there just felt like I had to be down there just felt like I had to be down there helping these people, knowing what I do helping these people, knowing what I do helping these people, knowing what I do for a living can help these people. for a living can help these people. for a living can help these people. >> I work for New York Highway Department. >> I work for New York Highway Department. >> I work for New York Highway Department. I um you know, road work, construction, I um you know, road work, construction, I um you know, road work, construction, stuff like that. Never trained for stuff like that. Never trained for stuff like that. Never trained for anything like this. And I learned quick, anything like this. And I learned quick, anything like this. And I learned quick, though. though. though. >> We spent a few hours with some of the >> We spent a few hours with some of the >> We spent a few hours with some of the responders at Stony Brook University. responders at Stony Brook University. responders at Stony Brook University. And as we listened, we realized that for And as we listened, we realized that for And as we listened, we realized that for them, today, Sunday, isn't the 10th them, today, Sunday, isn't the 10th them, today, Sunday, isn't the 10th anniversary of something that happened. anniversary of something that happened. anniversary of something that happened. It's the 10th year of something that It's the 10th year of something that It's the 10th year of something that never ends. In a sense, it's always never ends. In a sense, it's always never ends. In a sense, it's always 9/11. 9/11. 9/11. >> John Gallagher is a former New York City >> John Gallagher is a former New York City >> John Gallagher is a former New York City fire captain suffering with pulmonary fire captain suffering with pulmonary fire captain suffering with pulmonary fibrosis, scarring of the lungs that fibrosis, scarring of the lungs that fibrosis, scarring of the lungs that only gets worse. only gets worse. only gets worse. >> The World Trade Center is still claiming >> The World Trade Center is still claiming >> The World Trade Center is still claiming lives. lives. lives. People have had their lives shortened.

People have had their lives shortened. People have had their lives shortened. People have lost their fathers, their People have lost their fathers, their People have lost their fathers, their their mothers to cancers to lung their mothers to cancers to lung their mothers to cancers to lung diseases, diseases, diseases, anything that you can imagine. anything that you can imagine. anything that you can imagine. Bloodborne diseases, Bloodborne diseases, Bloodborne diseases, people are still dying. Show of hands, people are still dying. Show of hands, people are still dying. Show of hands, how many of you have been living through how many of you have been living through how many of you have been living through medical problems as a result of the work medical problems as a result of the work medical problems as a result of the work that you did in those days? Almost all of you. Bill, give me a sense Almost all of you. Bill, give me a sense of what you've been working through of what you've been working through of what you've been working through healthwise. healthwise. healthwise. >> I have asthma. >> I have asthma. >> I have asthma. I have uh nodules on both lungs. I have uh nodules on both lungs. I have uh nodules on both lungs. Sinusitis, Ryanitis. Sinusitis, Ryanitis. Sinusitis, Ryanitis. >> Bill Fischer was a New York City cop, >> Bill Fischer was a New York City cop, >> Bill Fischer was a New York City cop, now retired. now retired. now retired. >> I I I never smoke. I don't drink. I'm I >> I I I never smoke. I don't drink. I'm I >> I I I never smoke. I don't drink. I'm I go to the gym as often as I can, and go to the gym as often as I can, and go to the gym as often as I can, and it's not as much as I would like to it's not as much as I would like to it's not as much as I would like to anymore. I literally have a bucket of anymore. I literally have a bucket of anymore. I literally have a bucket of about 20 medicines, a plastic bucket about 20 medicines, a plastic bucket about 20 medicines, a plastic bucket that I have to take something during the that I have to take something during the that I have to take something during the day. day. day. >> This is Bill Fiser. He worked at ground >> This is Bill Fiser. He worked at ground >> This is Bill Fiser. He worked at ground zero for 4 months and like thousands of zero for 4 months and like thousands of zero for 4 months and like thousands of others, he was covered in dust that others, he was covered in dust that others, he was covered in dust that contained carcinogens, asbestous, and contained carcinogens, asbestous, and contained carcinogens, asbestous, and toxins too numerous to list. Ken George toxins too numerous to list. Ken George toxins too numerous to list. Ken George was there, too.

was there, too. was there, too. >> He helped recover human remains. >> He helped recover human remains. >> He helped recover human remains. >> Ken, what what has your health >> Ken, what what has your health >> Ken, what what has your health experience meant? experience meant? experience meant? >> Oh, I got a list. Everybody's got a >> Oh, I got a list. Everybody's got a >> Oh, I got a list. Everybody's got a list. It sounds like list. It sounds like list. It sounds like >> it started with uh the 9/11 cough I had >> it started with uh the 9/11 cough I had >> it started with uh the 9/11 cough I had which led me to have RADS restricted which led me to have RADS restricted which led me to have RADS restricted airway disease which means I can't get airway disease which means I can't get airway disease which means I can't get enough oxygen in or out. Like these enough oxygen in or out. Like these enough oxygen in or out. Like these people said the sinuses I have all that. people said the sinuses I have all that. people said the sinuses I have all that. So it's just snowballing out of control. So it's just snowballing out of control. So it's just snowballing out of control. You know what I mean? And who knows in 5 You know what I mean? And who knows in 5 You know what I mean? And who knows in 5 years down the line if I'm going to wind years down the line if I'm going to wind years down the line if I'm going to wind up with cancer, you know? I just want to up with cancer, you know? I just want to up with cancer, you know? I just want to make sure my family's taken care of if make sure my family's taken care of if make sure my family's taken care of if anything happens. You know, I don't want anything happens. You know, I don't want anything happens. You know, I don't want them out in the street. them out in the street. them out in the street. >> Any pain? >> Any pain? >> Any pain? >> Paying their medical bills has been a >> Paying their medical bills has been a >> Paying their medical bills has been a struggle. Funding for the World Trade struggle. Funding for the World Trade struggle. Funding for the World Trade Center Health Program was never certain Center Health Program was never certain Center Health Program was never certain until this year when Congress guaranteed until this year when Congress guaranteed until this year when Congress guaranteed coverage, but that guarantee lasts only coverage, but that guarantee lasts only coverage, but that guarantee lasts only the next 5 years. The illnesses and the the next 5 years. The illnesses and the the next 5 years. The illnesses and the mental trauma are likely to last a mental trauma are likely to last a mental trauma are likely to last a lifetime. One thing nobody's mentioned, lifetime. One thing nobody's mentioned, lifetime. One thing nobody's mentioned, but we all have it. It's like luggage but we all have it. It's like luggage but we all have it. It's like luggage and we have it forever, is the and we have it forever, is the and we have it forever, is the post-traumatic stress. Yep.

post-traumatic stress. Yep. post-traumatic stress. Yep. >> Tyrie Bacon was a senior court officer >> Tyrie Bacon was a senior court officer >> Tyrie Bacon was a senior court officer who worked 10 blocks from the World who worked 10 blocks from the World who worked 10 blocks from the World Trade Center. He reached the towers Trade Center. He reached the towers Trade Center. He reached the towers before they collapsed. before they collapsed. before they collapsed. >> Um, those of us who wear uniforms make a >> Um, those of us who wear uniforms make a >> Um, those of us who wear uniforms make a living out of the worst 10 minutes of living out of the worst 10 minutes of living out of the worst 10 minutes of everybody's lives. 911 was a hell of a everybody's lives. 911 was a hell of a everybody's lives. 911 was a hell of a lot longer than 10 minutes long. Um, lot longer than 10 minutes long. Um, lot longer than 10 minutes long. Um, post-traumatic stress is something that post-traumatic stress is something that post-traumatic stress is something that I have a issue with. Spent a month after I have a issue with. Spent a month after I have a issue with. Spent a month after being caught in the collapse, waking up being caught in the collapse, waking up being caught in the collapse, waking up on the floor trying to feel my my way on the floor trying to feel my my way on the floor trying to feel my my way out of my own bedroom. That went on for out of my own bedroom. That went on for out of my own bedroom. That went on for over a month. over a month. over a month. >> This is Tyrie Bacon in the Oral History >> This is Tyrie Bacon in the Oral History >> This is Tyrie Bacon in the Oral History Project, remembering a woman who grabbed Project, remembering a woman who grabbed Project, remembering a woman who grabbed him by the shirt as one of the towers him by the shirt as one of the towers him by the shirt as one of the towers fell. fell. fell. >> And I told her, I said, "Sweetheart, >> And I told her, I said, "Sweetheart, >> And I told her, I said, "Sweetheart, don't worry. I promise we're getting out don't worry. I promise we're getting out don't worry. I promise we're getting out of here." I flat out lied to her. I of here." I flat out lied to her. I of here." I flat out lied to her. I thought we would going to die where we thought we would going to die where we thought we would going to die where we were. Um, were. Um, were. Um, if I didn't have her, I probably would if I didn't have her, I probably would if I didn't have her, I probably would have curled up in a fetal position have curled up in a fetal position have curled up in a fetal position and just waited to die. When that and just waited to die. When that and just waited to die. When that responder went down to ground zero, responder went down to ground zero, responder went down to ground zero, they were they were they were experiencing experiencing experiencing traumatic events in rapid succession.

traumatic events in rapid succession. traumatic events in rapid succession. buildings falling, girders falling, buildings falling, girders falling, buildings falling, girders falling, tripping, you know, uh people jumping tripping, you know, uh people jumping tripping, you know, uh people jumping out of buildings, seeing tremendous out of buildings, seeing tremendous out of buildings, seeing tremendous amounts of carnage, amounts of carnage, amounts of carnage, >> the fires, >> the fires, >> the fires, >> the fires. Now, it's not occurring over >> the fires. Now, it's not occurring over >> the fires. Now, it's not occurring over a 10-second period of time. It's a 10-second period of time. It's a 10-second period of time. It's occurring over weeks and months, and the occurring over weeks and months, and the occurring over weeks and months, and the same person is experiencing it over and same person is experiencing it over and same person is experiencing it over and over and over again. over and over again. over and over again. >> The jumpers, I think, were the worst. >> The jumpers, I think, were the worst. >> The jumpers, I think, were the worst. you know, to actually see them jump and you know, to actually see them jump and you know, to actually see them jump and and pulverize just in front of you, you and pulverize just in front of you, you and pulverize just in front of you, you know, know, know, that was just horrible. that was just horrible. that was just horrible. >> There was a sound. >> There was a sound. >> There was a sound. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That that made. >> That that made. >> That that made. >> That was first. I'm like, I didn't know >> That was first. I'm like, I didn't know >> That was first. I'm like, I didn't know what that sound was at first and then what that sound was at first and then what that sound was at first and then you go to see what that sound was and you go to see what that sound was and you go to see what that sound was and you realize that it was a person that you realize that it was a person that you realize that it was a person that had just jumped. had just jumped. had just jumped. If it's that bad up there that you have If it's that bad up there that you have If it's that bad up there that you have to jump, you know, a lot we couldn't to jump, you know, a lot we couldn't to jump, you know, a lot we couldn't see. see. see. >> Almost invariably, >> Almost invariably, >> Almost invariably, people come to us afterwards and say, people come to us afterwards and say, people come to us afterwards and say, you know, doc, this is the first time you know, doc, this is the first time you know, doc, this is the first time that I've been able to talk about this.

that I've been able to talk about this. that I've been able to talk about this. This is the first time that I can tell This is the first time that I can tell This is the first time that I can tell others what really happened on 911. In others what really happened on 911. In others what really happened on 911. In the three months that I was there, we the three months that I was there, we the three months that I was there, we found very very few uh found very very few uh found very very few uh victims victims victims found pieces but found pieces but found pieces but not bodies. That was the first time I not bodies. That was the first time I not bodies. That was the first time I ever spoke of uh my experiences at 911. ever spoke of uh my experiences at 911. ever spoke of uh my experiences at 911. I found it uh therapeutic. I found it uh therapeutic. I found it uh therapeutic. >> How many years was it that you didn't >> How many years was it that you didn't >> How many years was it that you didn't talk about 9/11? talk about 9/11? talk about 9/11? >> Seven years. >> Seven years. >> Seven years. >> Why? >> Why? >> Why? >> I didn't want to replay it. I didn't >> I didn't want to replay it. I didn't >> I didn't want to replay it. I didn't want to, you know, I lived it. I didn't want to, you know, I lived it. I didn't want to, you know, I lived it. I didn't want to relive it. want to relive it. want to relive it. >> I didn't think it was such a great idea >> I didn't think it was such a great idea >> I didn't think it was such a great idea because I think a lot of us buried that because I think a lot of us buried that because I think a lot of us buried that day. day. day. >> Christine Fameleti was a New York City >> Christine Fameleti was a New York City >> Christine Fameleti was a New York City cop, now retired. cop, now retired. cop, now retired. >> And to to really bring it up and hash it >> And to to really bring it up and hash it >> And to to really bring it up and hash it up again and really discuss in depth was up again and really discuss in depth was up again and really discuss in depth was uh was a little fe, you know, I was a uh was a little fe, you know, I was a uh was a little fe, you know, I was a little fearful of that. In the long run, little fearful of that. In the long run, little fearful of that. In the long run, I I I was glad I did it. I I I was glad I did it. I I I was glad I did it. >> That's how I've gotten through my PTSD >> That's how I've gotten through my PTSD >> That's how I've gotten through my PTSD is by talking about it. And sometimes is by talking about it. And sometimes is by talking about it. And sometimes it's difficult, sometimes it's not, but it's difficult, sometimes it's not, but it's difficult, sometimes it's not, but it it's helped me a great deal talking it it's helped me a great deal talking it it's helped me a great deal talking about it, you know, helps me sleep at about it, you know, helps me sleep at about it, you know, helps me sleep at night. I think a lot of folks at home night. I think a lot of folks at home night. I think a lot of folks at home would like to know after 10 years, would would like to know after 10 years, would would like to know after 10 years, would you consider in terms of their mental you consider in terms of their mental you consider in terms of their mental health? Would you consider a lot of health? Would you consider a lot of health? Would you consider a lot of these patients to be better? I do these patients to be better? I do these patients to be better? I do believe that they are better from the believe that they are better from the believe that they are better from the point of view of moving on with their point of view of moving on with their point of view of moving on with their lives and be having become much more

lives and be having become much more lives and be having become much more adaptable. adaptable. adaptable. But I don't think they ever let leave it But I don't think they ever let leave it But I don't think they ever let leave it behind. It's a constant part of their behind. It's a constant part of their behind. It's a constant part of their life. I think that that's true for any life. I think that that's true for any life. I think that that's true for any great event that occurs, but especially great event that occurs, but especially great event that occurs, but especially true for this event which was etched true for this event which was etched true for this event which was etched into their consciousness. into their consciousness. into their consciousness. >> Dr. Love's interviews are now a >> Dr. Love's interviews are now a >> Dr. Love's interviews are now a documentary and also a book called We're documentary and also a book called We're documentary and also a book called We're Not Leaving, the memorable quote from Not Leaving, the memorable quote from Not Leaving, the memorable quote from Officer Carol Paulner to that FBI agent Officer Carol Paulner to that FBI agent Officer Carol Paulner to that FBI agent who had urged her to run. The profits who had urged her to run. The profits who had urged her to run. The profits will go to scholarships and job training will go to scholarships and job training will go to scholarships and job training for the responders and their families. for the responders and their families. for the responders and their families. John Field was a demolition expert who John Field was a demolition expert who John Field was a demolition expert who helped move the wreckage. helped move the wreckage. helped move the wreckage. >> These men and women to the left and >> These men and women to the left and >> These men and women to the left and right of me and behind me did the best right of me and behind me did the best right of me and behind me did the best of the best of what America offered 10 of the best of what America offered 10 of the best of what America offered 10 years ago. years ago. years ago. we can't change history. And through we can't change history. And through we can't change history. And through their eyes, they're telling America what their eyes, they're telling America what their eyes, they're telling America what they've seen, what they did, and what they've seen, what they did, and what they've seen, what they did, and what they're going through 10 years later. they're going through 10 years later. they're going through 10 years later. And and that is priceless. And and that is priceless. And and that is priceless. >> Now, the Library of Congress is looking >> Now, the Library of Congress is looking >> Now, the Library of Congress is looking into adding the interviews to its into adding the interviews to its into adding the interviews to its permanent collection to be kept for all permanent collection to be kept for all permanent collection to be kept for all time so that generations can hear the time so that generations can hear the time so that generations can hear the unedited, unvarnished reality as unedited, unvarnished reality as unedited, unvarnished reality as experienced by the people who were experienced by the people who were experienced by the people who were there.

there. there. >> One thing I want to say, the real heroes >> One thing I want to say, the real heroes >> One thing I want to say, the real heroes out of this stuff are dead. out of this stuff are dead. out of this stuff are dead. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you. Absolutely. >> They're not here. Nobody here is a is a >> They're not here. Nobody here is a is a >> They're not here. Nobody here is a is a hero. We just did what everybody else hero. We just did what everybody else hero. We just did what everybody else did. did. did. >> The the true heroes are people went into >> The the true heroes are people went into >> The the true heroes are people went into those buildings and they never made it those buildings and they never made it those buildings and they never made it out.