As I mentioned yesterday, I have been keeping journals for many years. Below are random notes transcribed from my journal taken on a bus leaving NYC back to Kingston a few months after the bombing on the WTC. I had arranged to take three students and one additional staff person to volunteer for the relief effort.... This was all part of AmeriCorps’ efforts to assist with the relief efforts in cooperation with the Salvation Army. I stayed at Steve and Pam’s apartment (sister/brother in-laws) with two students, and the others stayed with friends. We were assigned to the food tent right outside the medical examiner’s office where morticians, funeral directors, forensic examiners, and dentists worked round the clock. Relief workers from Ground Zero were also present. We were there for three days. Again, the notes are random – written on a dark bus heading home and I was very sleep deprived, so I hope it makes some sense.
Diary entry – January 11, 2001
It’s been four months since the WTC Bombings have occurred and here I am in NYC – still a magnificent city – still in a state of shock. The past three days I’ve been volunteering with the Salvation Army – an incredible experience. I have with me three students and Jim Tinger from the Youth Center. I am feeling sad combined with feelings associated with admiration for the relief workers. The men and women I have met here all have big hearts with sorrow still in their eyes. Everyone was friendly and kind. We always thanked them (relief workers), after serving them a meal – yet, they thanked us.
Officer Mike and Officer Darryl -Mike lost his best friend at the WTC. He died a hero. Mike also saved a person while escaping the dangerous situation which was upon him. When the students praised him, he was adamant about not being a hero. He told us that those who died were the real heroes. After spending 2 hours with Mike and Darryl, the girls and I received a ride home in their unmarked police car. They sped down the avenue with their lights and sirens on. Mike tried to give us his badge as a memento, but we declined.
Vinnie – A mortician from Utica. He has rotated 2-4 times here already. He’s part of the DMORT crew which helps identify bodies from airplane crashes and other disasters. He tells me that the number of people who have died exceed the numbers that are being reported. He says that people come to him with pictures asking if they’d seen their children and/or loved ones.
The Waiting Room – Being stationed at the medical examiners’ office, we continually saw families reporting in to identify the bodies of loved ones. There was a sign on the door which said “family ID only”.
The makeshift morgue consisted on a large while hanger tent – open like an airplane hanger. There were 17 large refrigerated trucks each containing remains. Flowers were placed in front of the trucks. A memorial park was erected outside the morgue. The girls were asking me lots of questions, including what was in the trucks. I stayed strong and told them. Thank god Jim Tinger was with me. He is much better at these things.
POSTSCRIPT: Wow. Typing in these words just now - I had forgotten how intense this experience was. Interesting how I tried to capture the people - Mike and Darryl and Vinny. I wonder how they all are now. I had forgotten that Mike wanted to give us his badge. I also wonder how the girls (students) are doing. Jennifer is probably in med school on rotation, and Kristin is probably just starting another year teaching a group of elementary school kids. Nicole is writing something very important. Jim is still at the Youth Center - a positive influence on the community....I used to call him Saint James...I'm sure they think of this experience often as do I. We were a great team....
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