Remembering 9-11, 20 years later

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Sir Winston Churchill

  • Fires remained burning two weeks post attack; rescuers searched in the rubble, fi rst for survivors, then remains. Courtesy photo.
    Fires remained burning two weeks post attack; rescuers searched in the rubble, fi rst for survivors, then remains. Courtesy photo.
  • Texas Task Force 1 was provided military transport in this C-17. The plane carried 80,000 pounds of equiptment on pallets, 73 human team members, and 4 highly trained search and rescue canines. All air traffic was grounded at this point, but they were given clearance to travel and were escorted by F-16 fighter jets.
    Texas Task Force 1 was provided military transport in this C-17. The plane carried 80,000 pounds of equiptment on pallets, 73 human team members, and 4 highly trained search and rescue canines. All air traffic was grounded at this point, but they were given clearance to travel and were escorted by F-16 fighter jets.
  • The size and scope of the damaged building s in New York is unimaginable. Pulvarized concrete and remains completly coated mutiple city blocks, not just the area directly affected.
    The size and scope of the damaged building s in New York is unimaginable. Pulvarized concrete and remains completly coated mutiple city blocks, not just the area directly affected.
  • Rescue crews repel into pockets of space, descending deep into the unknown, hoping for a rescue. Steel beams from the Trade Center plunged through the surface rubble and through the 6 story parking garage under the tower, impelling into the ground below the parking garage.
    Rescue crews repel into pockets of space, descending deep into the unknown, hoping for a rescue. Steel beams from the Trade Center plunged through the surface rubble and through the 6 story parking garage under the tower, impelling into the ground below the parking garage.
  • The American people wanted to help, especially those living near ground zero. It seemed everyone wanted to be a part of the clean up and solution. From showing up at the site in solidarity, to setting up memorial shrines, to opening prayer stations, people stepped up to help in whatever way they could. Donations began to pour in as well.
    The American people wanted to help, especially those living near ground zero. It seemed everyone wanted to be a part of the clean up and solution. From showing up at the site in solidarity, to setting up memorial shrines, to opening prayer stations, people stepped up to help in whatever way they could. Donations began to pour in as well.
  • Commercial vehicles and equipment were apart of the massive wreckage that littered a large area of the city. The debris field spanned many blocks.
    Commercial vehicles and equipment were apart of the massive wreckage that littered a large area of the city. The debris field spanned many blocks.
  • High Trained Search and Rescue dogs like Sam, pictured above, were a valuable asset searching for trapped individuals. They are not trained to find remains and quickly became depressed after many missions without finding survivors. Fire Fighters and the Task Force played with the dogs to help keep them from becoming depressed. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them, just as the human members of the team.
    High Trained Search and Rescue dogs like Sam, pictured above, were a valuable asset searching for trapped individuals. They are not trained to find remains and quickly became depressed after many missions without finding survivors. Fire Fighters and the Task Force played with the dogs to help keep them from becoming depressed. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them, just as the human members of the team.
  • Above are actual samples of concrete, granite, and tiles from Ground Zero along with a patch the Task Force members wore on their sleeve, and the hard hat with head lamp Retired Chief Corbin wore while on site. Everyone working at the site also wore respirators to and radiological sensors in case of exposure to dirty bombs or other gases and airborne particles in the rubble.
    Above are actual samples of concrete, granite, and tiles from Ground Zero along with a patch the Task Force members wore on their sleeve, and the hard hat with head lamp Retired Chief Corbin wore while on site. Everyone working at the site also wore respirators to and radiological sensors in case of exposure to dirty bombs or other gases and airborne particles in the rubble.
  • After the area was proven structurally sound by engineers, Texas Task Force 1 members climbed up and repelled, cutting through the steel to search for survivors with in the pockets of space trapped below.
    After the area was proven structurally sound by engineers, Texas Task Force 1 members climbed up and repelled, cutting through the steel to search for survivors with in the pockets of space trapped below.
  • Remembering 9-11, 20 years later
    Remembering 9-11, 20 years later
  • Unfortunately, the reality of the situation became clear and after weeks of searching, there were no survivors to be found. In fact, in his 2 weeks of 12 hour shifts and following up with the night crew, the largest human remains Chief Corbin saw were part of a leg. Most bodies were pulverized into the concrete, dust, and steel. Let this gruesome image remind us of the evil we were and still are up against. Never forget. All photos courtesy of retired Chief Randy Corbin.
    Unfortunately, the reality of the situation became clear and after weeks of searching, there were no survivors to be found. In fact, in his 2 weeks of 12 hour shifts and following up with the night crew, the largest human remains Chief Corbin saw were part of a leg. Most bodies were pulverized into the concrete, dust, and steel. Let this gruesome image remind us of the evil we were and still are up against. Never forget. All photos courtesy of retired Chief Randy Corbin.

    Last week, Randy Corbin presented a slide show regarding his experience as a leader (day crew Safety Chief) with the Texas Task Force 1, to the Business Association and then later to the MKM Retired Teacher Association. I was fortunate to be in attendance of the later presentation.

    Chief Corbin was on the front lines, literally in charge of safety for the 76 member team (73 human and 3 canine), com…