"One hundred and fifty years after the Famine, the spirit of the Irish people was the backbone which America relied upon during the worst attack in our nation's history." – Rudy Giuliani at the Irish Famine memorial dedication in New York. It's hard to believe it's only a year. So much has changed, it seems as if it should have taken several lifetimes. The oddest thing is … [Read more...] about The First Word: What Falls Away
9/11
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
NYC’s Famine Memorial
The haunting Irish Hunger Memorial, unveiled on July 16 in downtown Manhattan, offers visitors a stunning view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This is fitting, given that these landmarks have greeted generations of Irish immigrants to New York City. Sadly, however, as visitors will learn, your eyes cannot avoid another site -- Ground Zero, just footsteps from the … [Read more...] about NYC’s Famine Memorial
Street Renamed for 9/11 Hero
Fallen September 11 hero firefighter Michael Brennan had a rare posthumous bestowed on him recently when a street (at 41st and 50th Avenue) in Queens, New York, was renamed "Michael Brennan Way". Michael grew up on the street and his mother, Eileen Walsh still lives there. The ceremony to unveil the new street sign was held on Friday, July 19, and was attended by family, … [Read more...] about Street Renamed for 9/11 Hero