21 episodes

For the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, this podcast tells 20 stories of heroism that will make sure our country doesn't forget that fateful day and its meaning. Our host Niels Jorgensen served as an FDNY firefighter for almost 22 years until a forced medical retirement because of the leukemia he contracted from cleaning up Ground Zero. Niels also drove the truck in the Emmy-nominated Rescue Me with Denis Leary.

20 for 20 Iron Light Labs

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 245 Ratings

For the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, this podcast tells 20 stories of heroism that will make sure our country doesn't forget that fateful day and its meaning. Our host Niels Jorgensen served as an FDNY firefighter for almost 22 years until a forced medical retirement because of the leukemia he contracted from cleaning up Ground Zero. Niels also drove the truck in the Emmy-nominated Rescue Me with Denis Leary.

    The First-Ever Group Conversation About Responding On 9/11

    The First-Ever Group Conversation About Responding On 9/11

    FDNY Ladder Company 114, nicknamed Tally Ho, heroically served on 9/11. We hear from four of the six on-duty members who responded to the attacks in a unique group conversation, which they had not yet done before. Out of this crew, three have gotten cancers from Ground Zero's toxic environment and two have gotten multiple cancers. Our host Niels Jorgensen was a proud member of Tally Ho. 

    • 1 hr 41 min
    Alison Crowther: My Son Saved 12 Lives

    Alison Crowther: My Son Saved 12 Lives

    Alison’s son Welles was 24 years old on 9/11 and saved at least 12 people in the South Tower before it collapsed on him. She didn’t know about his heroic actions that day until several survivors said that a stranger wearing a red bandana saved their lives, and she knew that it had to be her son who always carried one. He’s famously been called “The Man in the Red Bandana” ever since. 

    • 49 min
    Ken Kendrick: How The President's First Pitch And Baseball Helped With Healing

    Ken Kendrick: How The President's First Pitch And Baseball Helped With Healing

    After 911, Major League Baseball temporarily postponed its season. With several iconic moments, its return helped America to heal. Arizona Diamondbacks’ principal owner and managing general partner Ken Kendrick tells this story and in particular President Bush’s first pitch in their first World Series game at Yankees Stadium, only 49 days after the attacks. 

    • 28 min
    Joe LaPointe: Organizing 9/11's Funerals

    Joe LaPointe: Organizing 9/11's Funerals

    FDNY firefighter Joe LaPointe was off-duty on 9/11 and raced down to Ground Zero. After the attacks, so many funerals needed more leaders to coordinate them, and Joe was suddenly thrust into a new calling. Since 2007, he's been the Commanding Officer of the Ceremonial Unit, organizing every wake and funeral of all FDNY firefighters & EMS personnel and all those who've died from 9/11 related illnesses. 

    • 45 min
    Nancy Carbone: The Friend of Firefighters

    Nancy Carbone: The Friend of Firefighters

    Nancy Carbone felt compelled to do something after 9/11 and started by collecting items that firefighters needed. They later told her what was most needed is a counseling center that their work wouldn’t know about. “Friends of Firefighters” was born inside of a former firehouse. The group has helped countless firefighters heal from the trauma of 9/11 and other tragedies. 

    • 55 min
    Michael Daly: The FDNY Chaplain, My Friend, Who Died With His Firefighters

    Michael Daly: The FDNY Chaplain, My Friend, Who Died With His Firefighters

    Michael Daly is the author of “The Book of Mychal”, the biography of the most loved FDNY Chaplain, Father Mychal Judge. Father bravely entered the World Trade Center with those he served and died with them. One of the most fascinating characters in our history, he was close friends with firefighters, AIDS patients, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, alcoholics, and the homeless.

    • 1 hr 49 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
245 Ratings

245 Ratings

DL173 ,

20 for 20

I have been truly blessed to have found this podcast. I was in an inservice class for work and we were told by the instructor to check the podcast out. I can not find the appropriate word to describe how I have enjoyed this podcast. I know enjoyed is a very bad word to describe what I have been listening too, but… I don’t know how to say it was very well done, heartbreaking, inspiring, and interesting all at the same time. I have suggested this podcast to so many people and re-told stories that I have listened too. I was in high school when 9/11 happened and I agree when folks were saying that anyone not born or very young don’t understand the magnitude of what happened that day and the weeks, months and years to follow. I am finding this podcast after the survey has concluded, so I am not able to put my input that way, so I will leave it here in case someone still reads this. If, you plan on doing this again, a person to interview would be the 911 dispatchers. That insight would be very interesting to hear. Has a 911 dispatcher myself, I can hope to never have to experience the devastation that they must have felt that day. I pray to everyone and anyone who was affected by 9/11. 🇺🇸

shankadoodle ,

Great but they stopped

Great listening. It’s unfortunate they stopped making them.

jmjmjk63 ,

Outstanding

These podcast episodes should be part of the curriculum in each middle school in the nation. Never Forget! Thank you Niels

God Bless 🇺🇸

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