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Opinion The pain of 9/11 & the days after: Det. James Zadroga's Login Register
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REVS1981
jpyanks
Morgan65
eagle4life
Arnie
The pain of 9/11 & the days after: Det. James Zadroga's statement to the 9/11 CommissionFriday, October 23rd 2009, 4:00 AM
RELATED NEWS
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they helped save from World Trade
Center hotel
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saved at World Trade Center hotel
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for first responders
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Felder and Vallone: Some laws are
hurting our kids
The following is a June 2003 submission to
the 9/11 Commission by NYPD Detective
James Zadroga. Zadroga, who worked in
the rescue and recovery efforts
immediately following the attacks, died
Jan. 5, 2006, of health complications
related to his service at Ground Zero.
It was a clear blue sky without a cloud in
sight. The day was Tuesday, Sept. 11,
2001. I had just finished working at
midnight and went to court early that
morning tired as a dog. As I finished up at
court at around 8:15 a.m., I started my
journey home, a 90-mile drive. Halfway
home I turned my Kenny Chesney CD off
and put on the radio. Oh my God, I couldn't
believe what I just heard - a plane crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade
Center. The first thing that crossed my mind was it was deliberate. Within five minutes or
so they announced that a second plane crashed into the other tower. I was only miles
from my home, so I rushed into the house to find my wife just waking up, walking down
our hallway. I asked her if she saw the TV, and she replied no. I then told her what had
happened, and the disbelief and fear in her eyes told it all. Now it's the Pentagon. What's
going on here? We are under terrorist attack. As the news reports were all claiming
terrorism, I watched the twins I grew up with burning on TV. I couldn't help but think I have
to get there to help. The next problem was explaining to my wife that I had to go. I knew
she wouldn't understand, but a cop's mind works differently than ordinary people. When I
started collecting my clothes, she asked me what I was doing. I explained to her that I
have to return to work. She went hysterical at this time - "You're not leaving this house" -
but I had to. Not 'cause it was my job but because it was my heart and soul. I had to go. I
couldn't live with myself.
As I started leaving the house, my wife was begging and pleading for me to stay home,
but I just got into my car after a long hug and kiss, not knowing if I would ever return. As I
drove down my long driveway, I can see my 71/2 months' pregnant wife on her knees,
with her hands on her face, crying, "Don't leave." This was the hardest decision of my life
to keep driving. When I reached the highway, it was unexplainable, as if people knew to
leave the left lane open for police, firemen and other emergency workers to get to the city.
I made it to the Bronx at record speed. For a good one-quarter of my drive I just stared at
the burning towers. That blue sky I mentioned was now black. It now was in my memory
forever, such as a lot of things I won't talk about in this speech, like the smell of the
burning buildings from miles away. When I arrived in the Bronx, traffic was at a standstill.
Everyone was fleeing the city for their lives and here I was, racing to get there. Finally I
arrived at work. They told us to suit up, which means to put our uniforms on in case of
being lost in the rubble, it would be easier to ID our bodies with our shields and name
plates. As myself and numerous other officers boarded a city bus to be transported to the
disaster site, everyone voiced their opinion. Some I can't repeat, others I don't want to or
care to repeat.
Related Topics
Opinions Guest Contributor
James Zadroga
New York City
War and Conflict
Terrorism
September 11 Attacks
World Trade Center
The Bronx
New York City Police
Department
National Commission on
Terrorist Attacks Upon the
United States
Kenny Chesney
The Pentagon
Ads by Yahoo!
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Tax Credits.
(www.ClassesUSA.com)
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School. Start Now.
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RECENT COMMENTS FROM DAILY NEWS READERS
5 comments | See All Comments » To comment, Register or Log In
[Discussion guidelines]
7:58:04 AM
Oct 23, 2009
This statement is a great reminder of what a mealy mouthed
scumbag Bloomberg is.
Report Offensive Post
7:29:05 AM
Oct 24, 2009
The way our mayor and the chief medical examiner treated this man's
death is one of the most disgusting abuses of power & politics in this
city. It was done to deny these heros any benefits for their suffering.
Shame on anyone that votes for Bloomberg.
Report Offensive Post
8:33:25 AM
Oct 24, 2009
Bloomberg disgracefully treated this heroic man and his family with
utter contempt! Mike publicly stated that Detective Zadroga "was no
hero," despite the fact that the man had already won 40 citations for
bravery even before 9/11. Not only did Mike make many vile
statements about this hero and refused to attend his funeral, he also
fought tooth and nail to deny the Detective's orphaned 4 year old
daughter the right to her father's pension! RIP, Jimmy you are a hero
and God Bless Jimmy's father and daughter for having to endure the
vile and obscene spoutings of Bloomberg!
Report Offensive Post
9:49:29 AM
Oct 24, 2009
Bloomberg doest care about anyone but himself congress gave the
city 1 billion dollars to take care of these herosof 9/11 who are sick
Bloomberg has spent to this day over 200 million from that fund
meant for the sick fighting each and every claim and hasn gave out 1
dime this is criminal the person that runs the 9/11 wtc captive fund
gets 350 k a year who is a friend of bloomberg that money is meant
for 9/11 heros please vote this man out our heros deserve more
Report Offensive Post
6:24:24 AM
Oct 25, 2009
Thought this would be of interest to readers. Since September 2001 I
have maintained a free and confidential "9/11 list-serv". The "9/11 list-
serv" distributes daily e-mails containing newspaper articles and
other relevant information re: 9/11 issues of interest to 9/11 families,
9/11 organizations and interested individuals. The 9/11 List-serv
archives can be accessed at http://groups.google.com/group/911-list-
serv If you would like to 'subscribe' to this free news service - send an
e-mail to amkorotkin at aol dot com with the word "subscribe" in the
subject box. Arnie
Report Offensive Post
Click Here to see all comments or to Report Abuse
EDITORS' PICKS
Phillies fan arrested for
offering sex for World
Series tickets
She wanted to get World Series
tickets in the worst way.
Shocking silence: Teen
raped, beaten as crowd of
boys does nothing
15-year-old raped while a dozen-
plus look on in silence.
Cracked Philly fans' hate
mail a window into
inferiority complex
Molloy: The potty-mouths in
Philadelphia want war - and
we're ready to give it to them.
Autobiography: Agassi
used meth during career
The tennis legend used crystal
meth, failed a drug test and
boldly lied to tennis officials.
Yankees World Series
heroes: Where are they
now?
The Daily News catches up with
Bombers champs.
Stars sweat under
spotlight's glare
Is it the paps' flashbulbs? The
throngs of fans? Check out
these hot and bothered celebs.
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3. Bolton: Obama's Af-Pak imperative
4. Editorial: Good for some, good for all
5. Editorial: Rosa Parks they ain't
6. Editorial: The most loved lady
7. Voice of the People for Oct. 28, 2009
8. Felder and Vallone: Some laws are hurting our
kids
9. Editorial: The most loved lady
10. Crouch: Unbalanced, even for Abe
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Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. © Copyright 2009 NYDailyNews.com. All rights reserved.
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Autos Real Estate Jobs Classifieds Shop Contests Place an Ad DailyNewsPix More NYDN: NYDN Home Feeds Services Delivery
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Weather in NYC5 5°F Forecast Traffic
Opinion The pain of 9/11 & the days after: Det. James Zadroga's Login Register
Article Comments (5) Email Print RSS Share
Previous Page 1 2 3 Next Page
REVS1981
jpyanks
Morgan65
eagle4life
Arnie
The pain of 9/11 & the days after: Det. James Zadroga's statement to the 9/11 CommissionFriday, October 23rd 2009, 4:00 AM
RELATED NEWS
9/11 heroes to reunite with women
they helped save from World Trade
Center hotel
9/11 heroes reunite with women they
saved at World Trade Center hotel
100 rally at WTC for health care bill
for first responders
Bolton: Obama's Af-Pak imperative
Felder and Vallone: Some laws are
hurting our kids
The following is a June 2003 submission to
the 9/11 Commission by NYPD Detective
James Zadroga. Zadroga, who worked in
the rescue and recovery efforts
immediately following the attacks, died
Jan. 5, 2006, of health complications
related to his service at Ground Zero.
It was a clear blue sky without a cloud in
sight. The day was Tuesday, Sept. 11,
2001. I had just finished working at
midnight and went to court early that
morning tired as a dog. As I finished up at
court at around 8:15 a.m., I started my
journey home, a 90-mile drive. Halfway
home I turned my Kenny Chesney CD off
and put on the radio. Oh my God, I couldn't
believe what I just heard - a plane crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade
Center. The first thing that crossed my mind was it was deliberate. Within five minutes or
so they announced that a second plane crashed into the other tower. I was only miles
from my home, so I rushed into the house to find my wife just waking up, walking down
our hallway. I asked her if she saw the TV, and she replied no. I then told her what had
happened, and the disbelief and fear in her eyes told it all. Now it's the Pentagon. What's
going on here? We are under terrorist attack. As the news reports were all claiming
terrorism, I watched the twins I grew up with burning on TV. I couldn't help but think I have
to get there to help. The next problem was explaining to my wife that I had to go. I knew
she wouldn't understand, but a cop's mind works differently than ordinary people. When I
started collecting my clothes, she asked me what I was doing. I explained to her that I
have to return to work. She went hysterical at this time - "You're not leaving this house" -
but I had to. Not 'cause it was my job but because it was my heart and soul. I had to go. I
couldn't live with myself.
As I started leaving the house, my wife was begging and pleading for me to stay home,
but I just got into my car after a long hug and kiss, not knowing if I would ever return. As I
drove down my long driveway, I can see my 71/2 months' pregnant wife on her knees,
with her hands on her face, crying, "Don't leave." This was the hardest decision of my life
to keep driving. When I reached the highway, it was unexplainable, as if people knew to
leave the left lane open for police, firemen and other emergency workers to get to the city.
I made it to the Bronx at record speed. For a good one-quarter of my drive I just stared at
the burning towers. That blue sky I mentioned was now black. It now was in my memory
forever, such as a lot of things I won't talk about in this speech, like the smell of the
burning buildings from miles away. When I arrived in the Bronx, traffic was at a standstill.
Everyone was fleeing the city for their lives and here I was, racing to get there. Finally I
arrived at work. They told us to suit up, which means to put our uniforms on in case of
being lost in the rubble, it would be easier to ID our bodies with our shields and name
plates. As myself and numerous other officers boarded a city bus to be transported to the
disaster site, everyone voiced their opinion. Some I can't repeat, others I don't want to or
care to repeat.
Related Topics
Opinions Guest Contributor
James Zadroga
New York City
War and Conflict
Terrorism
September 11 Attacks
World Trade Center
The Bronx
New York City Police
Department
National Commission on
Terrorist Attacks Upon the
United States
Kenny Chesney
The Pentagon
Ads by Yahoo!
Obama Gives $31 Billion for Student Aid
Students Can Now Qualify For Pell Grants and Tuition
Tax Credits.
(www.ClassesUSA.com)
Online Degrees
Get Your AA, BA, Masters or PhD at a Top Online
School. Start Now.
(Education.Nextag.com/Online-Degrees)
Obama Urges Homeowners to Refinance
See Rates - No Credit Check Needed. ($90,000
Refinance under $499/mo)
(SeeRefinanceRates.com)
Email to a friend
RSS
Digg This
StumbleUpon
Newsvine
Post on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
RECENT COMMENTS FROM DAILY NEWS READERS
5 comments | See All Comments » To comment, Register or Log In
[Discussion guidelines]
7:58:04 AM
Oct 23, 2009
This statement is a great reminder of what a mealy mouthed
scumbag Bloomberg is.
Report Offensive Post
7:29:05 AM
Oct 24, 2009
The way our mayor and the chief medical examiner treated this man's
death is one of the most disgusting abuses of power & politics in this
city. It was done to deny these heros any benefits for their suffering.
Shame on anyone that votes for Bloomberg.
Report Offensive Post
8:33:25 AM
Oct 24, 2009
Bloomberg disgracefully treated this heroic man and his family with
utter contempt! Mike publicly stated that Detective Zadroga "was no
hero," despite the fact that the man had already won 40 citations for
bravery even before 9/11. Not only did Mike make many vile
statements about this hero and refused to attend his funeral, he also
fought tooth and nail to deny the Detective's orphaned 4 year old
daughter the right to her father's pension! RIP, Jimmy you are a hero
and God Bless Jimmy's father and daughter for having to endure the
vile and obscene spoutings of Bloomberg!
Report Offensive Post
9:49:29 AM
Oct 24, 2009
Bloomberg doest care about anyone but himself congress gave the
city 1 billion dollars to take care of these herosof 9/11 who are sick
Bloomberg has spent to this day over 200 million from that fund
meant for the sick fighting each and every claim and hasn gave out 1
dime this is criminal the person that runs the 9/11 wtc captive fund
gets 350 k a year who is a friend of bloomberg that money is meant
for 9/11 heros please vote this man out our heros deserve more
Report Offensive Post
6:24:24 AM
Oct 25, 2009
Thought this would be of interest to readers. Since September 2001 I
have maintained a free and confidential "9/11 list-serv". The "9/11 list-
serv" distributes daily e-mails containing newspaper articles and
other relevant information re: 9/11 issues of interest to 9/11 families,
9/11 organizations and interested individuals. The 9/11 List-serv
archives can be accessed at http://groups.google.com/group/911-list-
serv If you would like to 'subscribe' to this free news service - send an
e-mail to amkorotkin at aol dot com with the word "subscribe" in the
subject box. Arnie
Report Offensive Post
Click Here to see all comments or to Report Abuse
EDITORS' PICKS
Phillies fan arrested for
offering sex for World
Series tickets
She wanted to get World Series
tickets in the worst way.
Shocking silence: Teen
raped, beaten as crowd of
boys does nothing
15-year-old raped while a dozen-
plus look on in silence.
Cracked Philly fans' hate
mail a window into
inferiority complex
Molloy: The potty-mouths in
Philadelphia want war - and
we're ready to give it to them.
Autobiography: Agassi
used meth during career
The tennis legend used crystal
meth, failed a drug test and
boldly lied to tennis officials.
Yankees World Series
heroes: Where are they
now?
The Daily News catches up with
Bombers champs.
Stars sweat under
spotlight's glare
Is it the paps' flashbulbs? The
throngs of fans? Check out
these hot and bothered celebs.
MORE FROM OPINION
Editorial: Good for some, good for all
Editorial: The most loved lady
Editorial: Rosa Parks they ain't
Voice of the People for Oct. 28, 2009
Felder and Vallone: Some laws are hurting our
kids
MOST POPULAR
1. Voice of the People for Oct. 28, 2009
2. Singer: Make meat-eaters pay
3. Bolton: Obama's Af-Pak imperative
4. Editorial: Good for some, good for all
5. Editorial: Rosa Parks they ain't
6. Editorial: The most loved lady
7. Voice of the People for Oct. 28, 2009
8. Felder and Vallone: Some laws are hurting our
kids
9. Editorial: The most loved lady
10. Crouch: Unbalanced, even for Abe
Most Discussed Most Emailed
BEST OF NYDN.COM
Movies you'll
NEVER see at the
multiplex
Check out our movie
spoofs - and share
YOURS.
The ladies who love
the Yankees... and
other pro sports
stars
Hottest sports wives
and girlfriends -- who
made the cut?
Most gruesome
sports injuries
EVER
Shattered legs, sliced
arteries... the most
horrific injuries in sports
history.
PHOTOS: The ESPN
sex scandal
Steve Phillips' allegedly
troubled paramour says
she filed a restraining
order.
Stars hit the beach
-- for their closeups
Are these celebs
relaxing or working it for
the camera?
Media Kit Services Home Delivery Newsletter Place an Ad About Our Ads Contact Us Sitemap Latest Feeds
Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. © Copyright 2009 NYDailyNews.com. All rights reserved.
News Sports Gossip Entertainment NY Events Local Opinion Lifestyle Travel Money Tech Topics Photos Video Blogs
Yahoo! Buzz
Most Read
DON’T Pay For White Teeth!Learn the trick discovered
by a mom to turn Teeth
White w/under $3 Get details...
Scranton, Mom Makes$58/Hour!Mom makes $6,000/Month!
Read her story to find out
how she did it. Get details...
Mom Had YELLOW TeethLearn the trick, discovered
by a mom, to turn yellow
teeth white. See the results...