by Robert Erikson
Dozens of 9/11 responders gathered downtown Saturday to recount their stories of heroism and ask for more help from the government.
The first World Trade Center Responders Day was designed as a "day of appreciation" for rescuers and laborers who spent months at Ground Zero, said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who is sponsoring a bill that would mandate healthcare funding for sick 9/11 workers.
One by one, rescuers approached an open microphone at Vesey and Greenwich Sts. to tell their stories before attending an interfaith church service.
"Politicians are looking to forget about this, but today is to remind them that we are here and we are slowly but surely dying," said Frank Silecchia, 54, a laborer with Local 731 who suffers from sleep apnea, respiratory problems and posttraumatic stress disorder after working at Ground Zero for 10 months.
"It has become a nightmare every night and a daymare every day," he said. "The pain just doesn't go away."
Susan Sidel, an attorney, volunteered for three months in supply tents and also lives downtown, so she's doubly concerned about her health.
"The real tragedy is the betrayal of these heroes by the city we worked to help save," she said.
 |
