As the years since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, passed, many things changed, and many stayed the same. The issues and stories about people always are the most interesting and, certainly, the most important. I’d like to take a look at some of the people who were very involved or very affected by the events of 9/11.
Joe Angelini Sr.
My friend, Ray Phillips, was a firefighter in Rescue 3 in the FDNY, and, on that day, he responded to the World Trade Center with a tactical unit along with Firefighter Joe Angelini Sr. of Rescue 1, who was one of the most senior firefighters with the department. Joe had a son on the job in Ladder 4, and that unit was operating at the WTC as well. When Joe arrived with Ray, Joe set out to find and check up on his boy. Tragically, both Joe and his son were lost that day.
Ray Phillips
Ray is another story. Ray survived that day and worked at Ground Zero, just as many other firefighters did for many days, searching for both civilian and FDNY survivors. Eventually, Ray retired from the FDNY. He lived until 2017, when he died as a result of a WTC-related illness.
The small, upstate community where Ray and his family lived was home to five FDNY firefighters who perished on Sept. 11, 2001, and a beautiful monument was erected in the community. Now, a second monument is being constructed. It will stand in the same Memorial Park. This monument will bear the names of the community members who died of WTC-related illnesses. Ray’s name will be the first one that’s etched on the black granite.
Jay Jonas
Another friend of mine, Jay Jonas, is another well-known survivor of the WTC attacks. Jay was the captain of Ladder 6, and he and his company were operating up inside of the North Tower when it collapsed. As unbelievable as it is that they all survived that catastrophic collapse, the civilian who they were rescuing from the building also survived.
Jay went on to be promoted to battalion chief and continued studying and made deputy chief. After landing a spot in Division 7 in the Bronx, he eventually was designated as the division commander, where he mentored and inspired another whole generation of FDNY firefighters and officers.
Never Forget!
What else has changed since 9/11? Well, as the years go by, the memories fade, and the stories are told less frequently. Many of the firefighters who I know that either are survivors of or rescuers on that fateful day talk little about it: Each of us deals with events and experiences differently, and the events of that day in September of 20 years ago are no different.
However, many events and ceremonies continue to be held, and they give all of us a chance to do the most important thing that we can do concerning 9/11: Remember! That term has been uttered thousands of times since 2001. So has, “Never Forget!” Whether it’s the dozens of stair climbs around the country or the Tunnel to Towers run in New York City, we who are in the fire service are keeping our promise to never forget the events of that day, the sacrifices that so many of our brothers and sisters made that day.
I have heard many current and retired firefighters say about the actions that they took that day that they would do them all over again. Even now, knowing that many were exposed to dangerous conditions while working at Ground Zero, the urgency and immensity of the situation would inspire and propel many rescue workers, police officers, firefighters, EMS providers, construction workers, members of the military and many others to cast caution to the wind for the sake of their fellow citizens and fellow firefighters.
As the 20th anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history is upon us, it also is a time to reflect on the greatest nation in the world, which is occupied by the greatest people on Earth. America is that shining city on the hill, and those of us who occupy the firehouses and police stations, the military bases and the schools, the grocery stores and the village halls, should remember to be proud of the society that we live in and the role that we play in the world.
John J. Salka Jr. | Battalion Chief
JOHN J. SALKA JR., who is a Firehouse contributing editor, retired as a battalion chief with FDNY, serving as commander of the 18th battalion in the Bronx. Salka has instructed at several FDNY training programs, including the department’s Probationary Firefighters School, Captains Management Program and Battalion Chiefs Command Course. He conducts training programs at national and local conferences and has been recognized for his firefighter survival course, “Get Out Alive.” Salka co-authored the FDNY Engine Company Operations manual and wrote the book "First In, Last Out–Leadership Lessons From the New York Fire Department." He also operates Fire Command Training, which is a New York-based fire service training and consulting firm.
