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| Thursday,
August 1, 2002 Return to Ground Zero
Special guest article by Paul B. Morgan
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I'm not
sure why I did it but I guess I needed some closure to my experience at
Ground Zero on Sept 12th, 2001. On that date my buddy Hal Wilson and I
volunteered to search for missing firemen with our dogs Cody Bear and
Tsunami.
I took the same train ride to New York City on the Long Island Railroad,
arriving at Penn Station, 34th Street and 8th Avenue. This time I rode
with my wife. I just had to show her what the area looked like. And I had
to see the American Express building.
It was hot and humid this July day ten months after the attack on the
World Trade Center so we decided to take the New York subway downtown. In
September 2001 the weather was clear and cool except for the smoke at
ground zero. When we entered the 23rd Street station we inquired at the
change booth, "How do you get to ground zero?" The attendant
told us, "Take this train to the World Trade Center!"
But there is no World Trade Center I told myself. Being a good soldier I
followed orders. My wife and I loaded up on the next train and sure enough
it was marked "World Trade Center." I was sitting next to an
attractive woman and asked her, "Does this train go to ground
zero?" With a very serious expression on her face she told me,
"Yes, this is the train to World Trade Center."
"But there is no World Trade Center!" I replied. "Sure
there is...it's under construction...they won't change the signs to read
Ground Zero!" she answered back with a smile.
Twenty minutes later my wife and I heard the conductor say, "Last
stop. World Trade Center!" We exited the train and climbed to the
street above to find a chain link fence covered with green canvas with
numerous holes cut through it. It surrounded 16 acres of open ground
covered with dust and dirt. In the center of this construction site we saw
an enormous cross made of steel girders and wood on a concrete pedestal.
It had been discovered by steel workers near building six, underground, on
a loading platform on September 14th, 2001. This symbol of Christianity
stood defiantly on this hallowed ground where 3000 people had died
in a flash on 9-11-01. Hundreds of tourists walked by staring in
disbelief. Not a word could be heard. Many took photos. So did I.
We walked south to the viewing platform where thousands of tourists walked
silently, watched and whispered to their friends and family, trying to
explain what had happened ten months before. One construction worker on a
break told anybody who would listen, "This is where it's at and we'll
rebuild it ...taller I hope!"
My wife and I headed for the American Express Building. I had to see it
and tell my wife all about that place. On September 12th, my buddy Hal
Wilson and I with our search dogs walked through the American Express
Building at 11 AM to take our turn at search and rescue with Cody Bear and
Tsunami. The dogs recovered the remains of three fire fighters.
Back then we passed two fully stacked bars and two restaurants with white
and red and white checkered table cloths, chairs, wine bottles, menus in
hallways.....all covered with a fine layer of concrete dust and glass. At
the entrance to the building we passed a morgue truck filled with human
remains in orange body bags.
This time we found the place clean and shining. One restaurant was open.
One bar was open. I asked my wife if she wanted to stop and have lunch.
"No...this place is just too sad!"
We'll return to ground zero many times in the future to monitor the
reconstruction of the World Trade Center as tens of millions have during
the past ten months. We'll also monitor the big debate in New York City
right now. Do we rebuild the twin towers? Or do we build a memorial park?
I'm not sure what will take place but I know for sure that the enormous
steel and wooden cross found under the debris of building six will be part
of the new World Trade Center. I also know they won't change the
signs on the subway.
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