Take a minute to remember these brave men

[pickel]

Remains of 10 More Firefighters’ Bodies Found

N E W Y O R K, March 22 — The remains of one of the city fire department's highest-ranking Sept. 11 victims, as well as those of as many as nine other firefighters, have been retrieved by workers at the World Trade Center site, officials say.

Assistant Chief Donald Burns, 61, was among seven firefighters found late Wednesday or early Thursday, said firefighter Mike Prendergast, a department spokesman. The remains of what appeared to be another three firefighters were discovered Thursday evening, he said.

Two civilians also were found, Prendergast said.

Burns was setting up a command post when the trade center's south tower collapsed. He had been cited for valor five times during his 39-year career.

His remains were found along with personal possessions and were identified using dental records, department spokesman Frank Gribbon said.

Workers have been excavating the last mountain of debris at the site, a six-story heap where the south tower once stood.

Recovery crews at the twin towers complex have said they believe so many remains are being found in the south tower pile because the 110-story building collapsed first, leaving those inside little time to escape.

The fire department lost 343 members in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The remains of about 160 have been recovered and identified.

When the remains of uniformed officers are found in the rubble, recovery efforts are temporarily halted and the remains are removed on a stretcher covered with an American flag while colleagues salute.


May they ALL rest in peace

[TheBurningCat]

hmmm....

It's inconceivable to me that after over 6 months of 24/7 excavation, they are still pulling out bodies. It's incredibly hard to think about. But we can't ever forget.

Thanks, pickel.

[CERuppel]

Always remembered.

[MegalosSkylaki]

The amount of area to be excavated is relatively small relative to the mass of debris sitting on top of it.

The area is surrounded by high density urban area. Traffic is allowed up to within about two or three blocks.

I would think it is a logistical nightmare to remove debris from such a scenario.

There are considerations of safety to the ecavators as the are working over a convoluted mass of objects;e.g. a subway train from Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) was found.

There is a large surrounding wall with tubes large enough to pass a train car cut though it to contain the buildings during the original construction.

Ther are many underground levels under the structures.

Given these complications , the excavators have done an astounding job. I was amazed when I saw a photo a month ago.

I had expected the excavation to take three years back in September. God willing, I would expect two years now.

Further excavation to the point the site is buidable would probably take longer, given the infrastracture that was there.

With each new finding of bodies New Yorkers take notice. And many pray.

MegalosSkylaki

[Knothead]

Pickel, Thank You for this post.

Megalos, your words truly give me pause. The rest of us really don't know what it's like there.

It's hard to imagine. And frankly, I think that we don't like to think about it, but we can't help wondering...what on earth is it like there...I think if I were walking those grounds, there would be a deafening scream in my soul. Much as those firemen are experiencing, as they deal with the horror of digging....and digging...duty demands this unholy effort. The fact that they are meeting that demand speaks of COURAGE above and beyond the call of duty.

Salutations. Their efforts illustrate the GOOD of mankind, and how we can bear up under the most hideous of circumstances.

-Todd

[vass0922]

Amen....

I have no idea the scope of the destruction as I've never been to NYC to get an idea of the destruction... I'm sure the tragedy of the pentagon pales in comparison to the WTC

These are amazing people that can day in and day out work looooooooooooooooooooong hours trying to clean that up... knowing that at any time you may find another person..

Everyday I see the reconstruction efforts here, and think how amazed I am at the progress being made here... yet by the time the reconstruction is completed here.. they still will not have finished even cleaning up, up there

[Knothead]

yet by the time the reconstruction is completed here.. they still will not have finished even cleaning up, up there

Amen, Brother.

Let's hope it all evens out...eventually...

-Todd