NYC fire truck lowered into 9/11 display (all 11 firefighters, including Freeper, died)

Associated Press ^ | By CRISTIAN SALAZAR

[dead]

A fire truck that rushed to the aid of victims on 9/11 returned to the World Trade Center site Wednesday as it was lowered like a huge flag-draped coffin into exhibition space for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

The truck was from the city fire department's Ladder Company 3, which helped civilians escape from the trade center's north tower on Sept. 11, 2001. The vehicle had sped to the twin towers from its firehouse in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood with 11 firefighters aboard - all of whom died when the towers collapsed and their rig was mangled by debris.

Battalion Chief John Moran (freeper BCM), who was assigned to the company's firehouse, also was killed.

A crane lowered the 60,000-pound battered remains of the truck, shrouded in a white protective covering and decorated with the flags of the Fire Department of New York and the United States, 70 feet into the site as family members of firefighters who died on 9/11 wept, dozens of firefighters saluted and bagpipers played the national anthem.

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Michael Moran, a member of Ladder Company 3 who got relieved from duty on Sept. 10, 2001, and whose brother was the battalion chief from the company's firehouse who died on 9/11, said bringing the rig back to the trade center was part of the healing process.

"I think it's a nice tribute to the guys of Ladder 3," he said. He also hoped people would see the rig as a symbol of the firefighters' sacrifices. "They gave up all their tomorrows on Sept. 11."

"They didn't ask any questions. They went to those buildings, not knowing who they were going to rescue," he said. "They knew people were in trouble. Unselfishly they gave their lives."

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[ken5050]

The BEST way to remember what it was like BEFORE 9/11...the opening credits from "Working Girl"....the Staten Island Ferry pulls into Manhattan, with the Twin Towers filling the screen..and that great driving Carly Simon track "Let the River Run.." playing....I cry every time I see it.

Windows on the World was a wonderful place...Decent food..but the view..unreal...you could look out at the jets flying BELOW your eye level heading into LaGuardia..

Probably ate there 50 times since the Towers opened. All special occasions, very happy memories..

[OldNewYork]

Rest in peace, heroes.

Keep in mind also that many of their surviving colleagues and relatives opposed the mosque a couple of blocks away, but were denied and labeled like other defenders by some of the same people that are going to show up for photo-ops around the anniversary and remembrances of this.

[jnygrl]

Tunnel to Towers is on my list of things to do this year. Let’s Freepmail.