On September 11, Peter Foley was riding his bicycle near the West Side Highway in Manhattan when his cell phone rang with the terrible news that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Not yet realizing the scale of the disaster, but following his instincts as a photographer, Foley immediately set off for the place we now know as Ground Zero, stopping off at his studio … [Read more...] about Peter Foley: Photographer
September 11th
Gerry Grant: Court Officer
On September 11, Gerard Grant, 41, an 11-year veteran court officer at 60 Center Street was assigned to the officers' academy on William Street, a block-and-a-half away from the World Trade Center. Sitting in a room waiting for re-certification at 8:45, Grant thought the air-conditioning had kicked in on the unusually hot September morning. The building shook around him. … [Read more...] about Gerry Grant: Court Officer
Michael Rice:
Prudential Securities
Michael Rice is Executive Director for the Private Client Group at Prudential Securities, located at One Seaport Plaza, six blocks east of the World Trade Center.
Though he emphasizes that the efforts of others in his company were just as important, Rice played a significant part in Prudential's evacuation and rescue efforts on the day. Prudential also had personnel in One New … [Read more...] about Michael Rice:
Prudential Securities
The Chief’s Last Stand
Chief Ray Downey, one of the most respected firefighters of all, will be remembered for his courage, passion and commitment. Firefighter Chuck Downey stands on First Avenue in Manhattan and nods his head to the south and west, in the general direction of what used to be the World Trade Center. The silent gesture is instantly understood, a bit of body language that since … [Read more...] about The Chief’s Last Stand
Ronan Tynan: Fireman’s Friend
In December, as a tribute to his contribution to the Fire Department both before and since the September 11 attacks, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan was made an honorary firefighter. Tynan's affinity with the New York Fire Department goes back a long way. In 1984, at the New York Paralympics, he became friendly with some firefighters. This longstanding friendship led him to offer to … [Read more...] about Ronan Tynan: Fireman’s Friend