September 11th

The tragic event is etched in my my mind as it is with too many people in NY, around the country and around the world. The horror of it won't go away but what I choose to remember is the love, courage, and compassion. I was a young Sgt. in the  NYPD that responded to the first attack in 1993 and then as a volunteer recovering the remains of the victims after the second attack.  The number of men and women that responded to help was overwhelming. It goes without saying what the first responders did was heroic but they were not alone in their efforts. There were sanitation workers, Red Cross volunteers, ironworkers, volunteer ministers from the Church of Scientology, tow truck drivers, office workers, and store owners, and average men and women all there doing what they could, from clearing wreckage to applying first aid to feeding and comforting the first responders. Civilians helping people escape ground zero, helping them find there way back home without public transportation, or just giving their fellow Americans a shoulder to cry on. This went on for months and all the unsung heroes( I was reminded of all this from this article in PMQ magazine about Goodfellas feeding the police officers who were sifting through the rubble for human remains day after day for months.) People from all walks of life were there just doing what they could to help from there own ability is recognized and appreciated. From the young lady handing out water to the elderly veteran that donated work gloves to the responders. The school kids from all over the world that sent letters of support, the men and women that fought to make sure the ill were taken care of and their families cared for after their loss. The priests and doctors that had to administer to the survivors still and the list goes on and even on down to the smallest act of kindness that was displayed - like waving and smiling or letting a vehicle go without contest or traffic dispute. A simple bow of the head to those working "the pile" meant a lot.  I want to acknowledge all of you that rose to the occasion and showed the best of humanity and represented mankind for what it truly is. Thank you all, my admiration and respect are yours, you earned it.  Marc Cosentino