Anthony Palmieri and his Department of Sanitation partner Joe were on duty uptown the morning of September 11th. Palmieri - along with a number of strangers he drove to New Jersey amid severe traffic congestion - was able to get home later that day. Ultimately, though, he would spend the next nine months working with the DSNY at the World Trade Center site. 

Throughout the month, we've been profiling those involved with the massive clean-up effort, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero. Here, Palmieri answers some questions about his 9/11 experience and work he did in the aftermath. 

Where were you on 9/11?  
I was working for the New York City Department of Sanitation around 215th Street in Manhattan. I had been with the department since 1984. That day, I was with my partner, Joe, doing our regular collection route. Someone passed us and said, “Did you hear a plane hit the World Trade Center?” We thought, like most New Yorkers, that it was a terrible accident. When we heard the second plane hit, we knew it was more than a coincidence. It was a day that you wish you could forget, but you can’t.  

From the Sanitation garage, we could see the smoke from the towers. It was far, but you could see it. My first thoughts were about my wife and children, because we didn’t know the extent of what was going to happen. I tried to get home as fast as possible to make sure they were safe. At the time, I was also a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey, and I thought my company would be called in. I got in my car to go home, but the traffic was horrendous. I wasn’t too far from the George Washington Bridge, and I knew a lot of backroads from working with Sanitation, but every road was a mess. When I finally got to the bridge, everything was held up. I thought I could get out and talk to the police officers and show them my fireman’s badge and let him know my company might be called. At that point, I was hoping we would be called.  

There were hundreds of people walking around. I got an eerie feeling because you don’t know who these people are. A man knocked on my door and said, “Please, are you going to New Jersey?” I was terrified. I was really scared. I wasn’t going to let him in, but I did. While we were waiting to cross the bridge, two other gentlemen got in the car with us. Eventually, the bridge opened, and we got over. We were talking on the way over, and they had very worried looks on their faces. When we got over the bridge, two of the gentlemen got out near the bus stops. The gentleman who stayed in the car didn’t live too far from me, the same exit off the highway. I offered to drive him home, but he said no. It was very humbling because we were three strangers, but we were supporting each other. Unfortunately, I never saw any of them again. I went home and spoke to my children. The rest of the day was chaos, watching TV, going back and forth from the firehouse and home.  

What role did you play in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts?  
The Department of Sanitation’s role, when we first got down there, was anything and everything that had to be cleaned or moved. We started on the outer perimeter, cleaning buildings, washing streets, throwing out rotting food from vacant stores. It was non-stop, 24 hours a day. Most of the time, I was cleaning up in that capacity. For a few days, I also drove a truck which carried steel out from the pit and brought it over for transfer to the barges on the East River. As time progressed, we had to start handling the garbage that accumulated from places of rest for volunteers. I was there working for about nine months.  

Can you describe the bond you feel with other rescue and recovery workers? How has this community impacted you?  
I’ve met some wonderful people. It’s an incredible situation how this brought so many people together. I met some construction workers and volunteers that I keep in touch with to this day. 

My time down there was so meaningful. The people that I met, I really bonded with. While we were down there, there was a closeness that you found from everyone. Each year on September 11th, you see people you knew but haven’t seen in years, and you pick up right where you left off. I wish everyone could experience the goodness that has come to me from September 11th and not just the memories of the badness.  

What does May 30th mean to you?  
The hardest part of me being there for nine months was when I left. I had the honor of standing on the ramp with these heroes. I felt that even though it was bad down there, the majority of people did not want to leave. I had a hard time leaving as well. When you first got to Ground Zero, and the things you continued to see, it was awful, but leaving was so difficult. People say to me, “You spent nine months there, how did you do it?” I wanted to be there; I was not forced to be there. I volunteered to go there. My job allowed me to go down there, and I was so grateful.  

When May 30th comes around, I reflect that it was the end of something I didn’t want to end but, it was needed to get back to normalcy. It was a good thing. I’m happy and proud that I was part of the ceremony. Twenty years later, I feel like a pretty lucky guy.

Do you have any health issues connected to your time at Ground Zero?  
I’ve had some problems and I was operated on. Knock on wood, that’s subsided. I go to check-ups through the World Trade Center Health program. I am scared about several things, but there are so many more people that have so many more problems. I think I’m pretty lucky.  

Why is important to share your story - and the stories of others - with the generation now growing up with no memory of September 11th?  
They need to know this is their history. They should know that for every person that was murdered on September 11th, there is a family member that is still alive that deals with this every single day. These people suffer with this every day. It never ends. It is not something that happened 20 years that you can get over. Their families are still suffering.  

Anything else you’d like to add?  
I remember cleaning up a lot around St. Paul’s Church. Right after everything happened, people were walking around with pictures of loved ones and signs that said, “Have you seen my loved one?” I remember thinking, “That could be me. That could be anyone’s mother, father, brother, sister, not knowing where their loved one is.” It just stuck in my brain, how hard it is for those people to have to do that. People saw it on television, but when you saw the disaster, you could see that their loved ones were not coming home. That is embedded in my brain more than anything. The people that survived and how they could ever get over it.  

Compiled by Caitlyn Best, Government and Community Affairs Coordinator

See Also:
MEMO Blog 

Phil Alvarez was a Suffolk County Police detective on 9/11. His brother Luis, an NYPD detective, spent months at Ground Zero and ultimately died in 2019 from a related illness. The following Q&A with Alvarez is part of our ongoing series highlighting the stories of those most closely involved with the rescue and recovery efforts, which formally came to an end 20 years ago this coming Monday. 

Ahead of our May 30th commemoration, Alvarez will speak as a panelist at our special public program, "Advocacy and Activism," alongside fellow first responder Rob Serra and film director Bridget Gormley, whose firefighter father also succumbed to 9/11-related illness.

Where were you on 9/11? 
I was a Suffolk County Police Detective, living on Long Island, watching the terror unfold on television.  
 
What role did you and/or your family member play in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts? 
My brother, NYPD Detective Luis (Lou) Alvarez, and his unit were mobilized to Ground Zero for search, rescue, and recovery. Many including Lou were there for three months or more.  

What role did you play in the rescue & recovery efforts?
From September 12 to May 30, I was assigned as a district superintendent for New York City Department of Sanitation at Ground Zero. On September 12, I led convoys of about 300 people and equipment. On the site, we were given sectors to oversee. For months, we did everything. We were involved with the fire department, police department, FBI, doing search and rescue. In all my time there, I never saw a desk, a phone, a chair. It was all pulverized. 

When we first started, I was involved with hauling the fire trucks out of the area. The first firetruck I worked on removing, there was an excavator trying to load it onto the back of a flatbed truck. The firetruck was too large to fit on the flatbed, so we made the decision to cut it in half. As we were doing so, it caught on fire. It hurt me to tell the commander we needed help putting out the fire on the truck. When I got close to the truck as we were loading it, the side door opened, and a dress uniform hat tumbled out. As I watched it fall to the ground and land at my feet, I felt the souls of these lost firemen rush through me, and I passed out right there for a moment.  

Can you describe the bond you feel with other rescue & recovery workers? How has this community impacted you?
I made a lot of friends down there and helped a lot of people down there. I met people from all over the world. On Facebook, I have four groups that I’ve started for DSNY, for souls that we’ve lost, and some other groups. The group has helped so many people, including me. At the same time, it has taken a huge toll on me because I’ve helped so many widows and people who are sick cope. 

We're just over a week out from May 30, the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. Today, we continue our look at rescue, recovery, and relief workers - both human and canine - in recognition of their tireless efforts, sacrifice, and spirit.  

The following Q&A features Robert (Bob) Schnelle, who served along with his rescue dog Atlas in the NYPD on and after 9/11.

Where were you on 9/11?  
I was in Bayside, Queens, where the NYPD K-9 Unit was based. I stepped out for a cup of coffee and suddenly my radio was going crazy. Everyone reported that a plane went into the World Trade Center, so I rushed there as fast as I could. On my way, the second plane hit, but I couldn’t see the towers, so I didn’t understand how bad it was. When I arrived on scene, I finally understood the scope of it.  

I wasn’t a firefighter, but I knew I could help evacuate people. At the time, I had a dog with me, Atlas. I couldn’t bring Atlas, so I put the AC on for him, rolled the window down and went to help. As I was walking away from the car, the first tower came down. I ducked under someone’s truck as the debris fell. I ran back to the car to get Atlas, because I knew I couldn’t leave him in the car after that. Together, we went to start helping people out. That’s when the second tower started to come down. I remember running for my life, I grabbed the dog, and we ran. 

I thought about letting Atlas go. I knew he could run faster than me, and maybe he could outrun this because I didn’t know if I would be able to. I thought that he could survive, and I just had to hope I would see him again some time. He helped me though, he was a young dog, and he was helping pull me faster. It was a run for your life situation.  

Afterwards, I found someone from the police department. The radios didn’t work, we didn’t know where anyone was, or who was alive. We found a few firemen and decided to go on our own to try and help people. Eventually, I found a high-ranking person and they got us to re-group and come up with a plan to start looking for people. We had to come up with a plan before searching, because if you went into the pile alone and nobody knew, nobody would’ve known if you didn’t come back.  

At some point, I was assigned to start searching WTC 7. I had a bad feeling. A sergeant told me he felt the same thing. The six of us in our search team gave ourselves 15-20 minutes, and we agreed if we didn’t find anyone in that time we would leave. There were fires everywhere in the building and we just felt something eerie. I don’t think we were out of there for more than an hour before the building collapsed.   

When I got back to where I had parked my car, I was glad I chose to bring Atlas. The windows were blown out, things were crushed. I doubt he would’ve survived if I left him there.  

What role did you and Atlas play in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts? 
For the first few weeks, we were doing 12-hour shifts, almost non-stop. A mobile veterinary [clinic] was set up for the dogs. We would bring them there so they could fix their pads, clean their eyes out, put IVs in the dogs to hydrate them. The dogs were working hard. We were taking a beating with safety equipment, but the dogs had nothing. Nothing on their feet, nothing for their breathing. It was amazing that they were able to perform. I’m sure Atlas was traumatized by surviving that first day. Even then, he re-focused to help people. I was proud of him. Some of the dogs shut down on their handlers, they just couldn’t do it.  

At some point, the decision had to be made to switch from rescue to recovery. That was hard to hear. You always hope you can find someone tucked away, safely, in a pocket of air. With the fires burning, you knew it wasn’t the case, but you had to hope. After we made that switch, we started to scale back. We rotated people out to make sure they were staying safe. We were there until May.

Can you describe the bond between you and Atlas? 
Atlas was my partner. I spent every day with him. I was with him more than I was with my family during that time. He was a good dog. At one point, I had to start telling people to leave him alone. I didn’t want to be rude, but he was exhausted. He was such a nice dog that people wanted to be around him. The dogs were really helping emotionally. He was a search and rescue dog and a therapy dog. He was giving help to those who were having breakdowns. My other dog Zeus, and Atlas, were both so good at helping people.  

What does May 30th mean to you?  
I did talk about 9/11 a lot, so I didn’t internalize as much. People think I’m cold to it, and I’m not. I went through it, I survived it, and I mourn the people we lost, but I can’t reflect on it every day. The anniversaries are hard for me. I’ll always reflect on those days, and they are hard for me to get through. I watch the ceremonies, reflect, say a prayer, and try to spend the day by the ocean.   

Do you/did Atlas have any health issues connected to your time at Ground Zero? 
I was told to join the WTC Health Program early. They told me that I could never imagine what I could get years down the road. I do have esophagus issues, GERD, asthma, and breathing issues. I consider myself healthy when compared to the other people who are suffering.  

Atlas died from cancer in 2008, at 10 years old. 

To the generation who is growing up with no memory of September 11th, why is it important to share your story and the stories of others with them?  
I heard it’s being taught in high schools as part of history lessons. It’s part of their curriculum. It took years, but it’s history now. I’m a history buff, like Pearl Harbor. They think “How did Pearl Harbor happen?” and we do the same thing with 9/11. How did this happen? I just hope it never happens again, here, or anywhere. Sometimes I wish we could go back to 9/10 and none of this happened. But it did, and here we are. We deal with it and we move on. We just do the best with it.

Anything else you’d like to add?
In February of 2003, Atlas and I were invited to the Westminster Dog Show. This show is made for the elite of the dogs, not police dogs. We get there with these police dogs, these rough and tough German Shepherds. Normally, we wouldn’t be let in Madison Square Garden, much less be honored. We did it because money was being donated to search and rescue for it. Normally, the next morning, the Westminster dog is honored on TV. When we were backstage that night, my boss told me that Good Morning America would like to interview us, live, in Times Square. I think they even put make-up on me that morning. Atlas was so good, the lights were blinding, but he just sat there. I think he even fell asleep at the end. I was getting calls all day from people telling me they saw me on TV. Of course, they all say, “The dog looked really good.” Nothing about me, just Atlas.  

Compiled by Caitlyn Best, Government and Community Affairs Coordinator

See Also:
CBS News: The Story of Atlas
K-9 Courage: The Working Dogs of 9/11

Two weeks from today, on May 30,  an official ceremony will mark the 20th anniversary of the formal end to rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. As we lead up to the commemoration, we're highlighting a diverse range of rescue, recovery, and relief workers in recognition of their tireless efforts, sacrifice, and spirit.  

The following Q&A features Rafe Greco, sculptor, welder, and metalworker with the Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 79.

As the day progressed, I made the decision to make my way down to the World Trade Center to volunteer. By 1 p.m., I was working at the base of World Trade Center 7. Around 5 p.m., I watched the collapse of WTC 7. As I was a welder with certifications in the use of the oxyacetylene torch, I entered the Ground Zero site around 11 p.m., where I began to cut and pull steel out with other volunteers. I worked there for three straight days, weathering falling debris and several collapse scares.

Tell us a little more about the role you played in the rescue and recovery operations? 
Two weeks later, I had secured a job with a demolition company that was clearing WTC 7. By December, I was assigned to clear the sites of the two towers. One of my tasks was to cut steel to enable human remains to be removed. It felt good to be part of the recovery and it felt good to accomplish our goal.  

Can you describe the bond between yourself and other recovery workers? How has this community impacted you?
Many workers were struggling to come to terms with the horrific events, many of us were aware that families were counting on us to help recover the remains of their loved ones. I wanted to be able to fabricate a tangible reminder. What I did for families, for me and my crew, was cut out some crosses. When family would come down, I could give those crosses to the family. They really appreciated the gesture and it made us feel good. I knew that for years to come, people would look at it and remember that it came from the World Trade Center.

Working at Ground Zero led me to my wife. Bianca is a Tower 1 survivor and was a recovery worker with Turner Construction.

What does May 30 mean to you?
When the top of the Last Column first surfaced above the debris at Ground Zero, I kept track of it as it acquired its flag and gradually accumulated inscriptions and images. I worked hard to be involved in the final cutting ceremony on May 28, 2001. I was one of four workers selected to represent the trades by ceremonially burning through the corners of the column before it was lowered onto the flatbed truck. I was proud to be there with fellow members of Local 79, New York General Building Laborers, and other workers. That was our night, and that was the night that all the construction workers filed down into the hole together.  

Do you have any health issues connected to your time at Ground Zero?
No, I have been blessed and very lucky that I don’t. I have guys that worked down there for six months who have passed.

To the generation who is growing up with no memory of September 11th, why is it important to share your story and the stories of others with them?
I have never been to war, but I imagine it was like this. The difference was that our response was construction workers and volunteers. Our “boots on the ground” were first responders.  As a community, we stood up and said that this couldn’t keep us down. We were going to recover. I worked with a lot of great people, some of whom have passed. They need to be remembered.

Anything else you'd like to add? 
The toughest part of my experience was when we would leave Ground Zero for lunch. We’d just go a couple of blocks away to grab some food. Every time we left, there would be crowds of people gathered. There was always someone who was crying in that crowd. That was devastating because it was obvious they had lost someone they loved.  Coming face to face with someone’s loss was difficult. For years, I had nightmares about the site- fire, debris, and death.

Compiled by Caitlyn Best, Government and Community Affairs Coordinator

See Also:
The MEMO Blog: Symbols Forged From World Trade Center Steel
Wisconsin WTMJ: Local First Responder Pleased With Bill Passage

Yesterday, we welcomed nearly 3,000 walkers and runners for the annual 9/11 Memorial & Museum 5K, presented by RXR. It was a special event made even more meaningful by the fact that it took place in person for the first time since 2019.

Before setting out on the route that followed the very path rescue and recovery workers took as they made their way to Ground Zero more than 20 years ago, participants acknowledged several of those heroes. Tribute was paid to Joe Agron (NYPD); Sonia Agron (American Red Cross); Lt. Bill Keegan (PAPD); Chris Pillai (Ironworkers NYC Local 40); and Bill Spade (FDNY), introduced by his son John.

First and second to cross the finish line were runners from Austria and Colombia respectively, underscoring the global impact of 9/11 and how the events of that horrific day touched us all, near and far. We are so thankful to all who ran, walked, fundraised, and volunteered. Your efforts help ensure the Memorial & Museum remains a sacred place of remembrance, reflection, and learning.

“This was our first time running the 5K — and my children’s first race altogether. We came to honor my dad, Alan Feinberg, and to remember his bravery and that of all the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Tara Feinberg Edgette, pictured above, center. "It was an unforgettable day running alongside survivors, family members, and individuals who continue to 'never forget.' We are looking forward to participating in this race for years to come and can’t wait for the 2023 5K!”

The 2022 5K may be behind us, but there's still time to donate and support our mission. 

Watch our Instagram stories for videos and more photos. 

By 9/11 Memorial Staff 

This Sunday, thousands will gather in lower Manhattan for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum 5K, in person for the first time since 2019. The route of the race follows the path rescue and recovery workers took to access Ground Zero on 9/11 and in the days and weeks that followed. Participants pay tribute to them by running and walking in their footsteps. We spoke with Nykiah Morgan, whose mother Dorothy was killed on 9/11, about her mom's memory and why she participates in the event. 

I lost my mother, Dorothy Morgan, on 9/11. My mother was the most beautiful, kind, loving and genuine human being you could ever meet. Everyone that she met absolutely loved her. A memory about her that has stayed with me is standing behind her, in the bathroom, looking at her reflection the mirror as she did her hair and put on her makeup. She was absolutely beautiful. 

For the past 20 years, I’ve been mourning the sudden tragic loss of her life. I wish people understood how hard it was to lose a mother that’s your best friend, especially in the early stages of adulthood. I’ve lost out on sharing so many experiences with her. When I became a mom for the first time, I missed out on having her guidance on how to raise a child. My children are missing out on the love of a grandmother.

That’s why, this year I’m participating in the 9/11 Memorial 5K to publicly honor my mother. I’ll be running to celebrate her life, and to remember all those that were killed that day. Join me on April 24: register at runwalk.911memorial.org.

By Nykiah Morgan