9/11 Firefighter Sets the Historical Record Straight

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9/11 Firefighter Sets the Historical Record Straight

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By Manny Badillo, Victim’s Family Member, August 7th, 2007

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Firefighter John Schroeder, assigned to Engine Company 10 directly across the street from the World Trade Center complex, holds back tears and describes his first-hand experience on Sept. 11th.
His story directly contradicts many aspect of the National Commission
on Terrorist attacks though corroborates many other eyewitness
testimony.

“Standing
outside the firehouse with my buddies, we were talking about how
beautiful the day was. Then just like that, our lives changed forever.
Some of those guys I would never see again.”

In
this exclusive interview, Firefighter Schroeder recollects in great
detail how he was one of the first firefighters to rush to the complex.
“We first assembled on West Street,
where we saw someone burnt beyond recognition. We were like ‘What is
going on here?’ and then went straight into the Marriot building” From
there, Firefighter Schroeder made his way to the lobby of the North Tower. “It looked like a bomb went off, and we started making our way up the stairs to rescue as many people as we could.”

As
they were making there way up the floors, Firefighter Schroeder heard a
huge explosion. “The elevators just blew right out. We couldn’t believe
it. The plane hits 80 floors up but the elevators explode at least five
minutes later? It was unreal.”

Firefighter Schroeder made it all the way up to the 23rd floor before barely hearing on the failing radios that another plane was coming in. That plane would hit the South Tower
though for some reason “We were tossed like a rag doll by another
explosion in our building. People were making there way down the
stairwells burnt like you couldn’t believe. We were all shocked because
it seemed as if there was fire everywhere, on so many floors. It just
didn’t make sense”.

The
stairwells were black, and at that point, firefighters were making the
decision to head back down stairs. In making there way down to the
third floor, they were not able to find an exit. “The lobby was like a
war zone. We could not find our way out. Then, all of a sudden, one of
the maintenance workers had a key that opened a back door that got us
out of there. He saved my life.” That worker was Willie Rodriguez. “I
want to thank him from the bottom of my heart.

Firefighter
Schroeder today has lost 40% of his lung capacity. “We haven’t been
treated properly at all. From the day of the attack, our physical and
mental health has deteriorated and it seems as if no one cares. To lose
friends, to have to recover their bodies in the days after, to be
offered no protections against that horrific-smelling dust that was
everywhere even though the government said the air was OK to breathe is
just not right.” Some of Firefighter’s Schroeder’s best friends have
gotten out of the FDNY altogether while others accepted money and trips
to help. “I stayed right here and did the right thing and now it feels
as if I’m suffering the most. Where is our government to help the one’s
with the toughest jobs on that day and the days after?”

John Schroeder, we want to thank you for being as brave as your job requires in speaking out about your experiences on Sept/ 11th.
You have set the historical record straight by explaining your story.
This Nation is forever greatful to you as your account will help to
save and protect many more lives.

Today,
tens of thousands of such 9/11 first responders are in dire need of
medical care due to the environmental conditions after the 3 towers
imploded at Ground Zero. Diagnosed with cancers and debilitating
respiratory illnesses, these true American heroes have been denied the
financial benefits required to save their lives. While suffering and
deteriorating, their health crisis has been ignored by state and
federal policy. Many have already died.

Composed
of family members, friends and fellow Americans of individuals who
perished on that fateful day, We are Change will fight to raise
awareness and consciousness to the first responder's illnesses and
hardships. We are determined to put a face to the thousands of
forgotten victims of the 9/11 attacks 6 years later.

We Are CHANGE version

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