We lost my mother, Mary Ellen Smith, née O'Connor last April, 2002. She was 86 years old. She emigrated from Ireland in 1929 when she was almost 14 years old from the Derries, Co. Mayo, a small village near Ballinrobe. At that time she came to the States with her older brothers James and Pat, 15 and 16 respectively.
Mom settled in with her mother's sister Aunt Mary Weimer, née … [Read more...] about Photo Album:
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September 11: A Year in Pictures
Photographer Peter Foley spent many months documenting the aftermath of September 11. His images, though unobtrusive, capture the emotion of the tragedy and offer a glimpse into the lives of those left behind. View Peter Foley's photographs of Ground Zero. … [Read more...] about September 11: A Year in Pictures
Why the Towers Fell
Dennis Smith, former firefighter and author, talks to Tom Deignan. ℘℘℘ If retired firefighter and best-selling author Dennis Smith had his way, the Twin Towers that once dominated the New York City skyline would be built again. Not in downtown Manhattan, however. Smith believes the towers should have been rebuilt as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic events of … [Read more...] about Why the Towers Fell
Fathers & Sons
Amidst the hundreds of rescue workers searching at Ground Zero in the months after the 9/11 attacks, many were fathers looking for their sons. Some were firefighters still on the job, some retired, and some never officially with the Department, but all joined in the search for their boys. This is a story about five of them. As you approach the church, you see the fire trucks … [Read more...] about Fathers & Sons
Caught in the Crossfire
We're circling Abercorn Street in Derry and Richard Moore, my sunglassed passenger, is pointing out focal points of his native city. He acts as navigator, advising me to turn left at the shop, then right at the gap in the green railings to reach our destination. The remarkable thing is Richard is totally blind. Not that he was born this way. Ever since May 4, 1972 he has … [Read more...] about Caught in the Crossfire