New York Times Editorial - Veterans of Sept. 11
New York Times Editorial - Veterans of Sept. 11
Copyright by The New York Times
Published: September 13, 2006
One of the worst things about listening to those who rushed to ground zero after the attacks on Sept. 11 is that you can barely hear their stories. For many, the lungs hardly work. As Mount Sinai Medical Center reported last week, as many as 7 in 10 of the 40,000 people who worked at ground zero and Fresh Kills on Staten Island have felt their lungs deteriorate because of their heroism.
What the veterans of Sept. 11 need now is a national response, which is not a strong suit these days in Washington. There are a number of partial efforts to help by city, state, federal and private sources. But somebody has to make sure that those who are suffering don't fall through the gaps.
In a week when homage is being paid to those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, it is worth remembering what happened on May 28, 2002. That evening - a scant 37 weeks after the attack - workers took down the last column from that smoldering mound and officially cleared the site. As one worker said, "You found out who you were, what it means to be an American, what it is to stand up."
They came when America was attacked. Taking care of them now is a national obligation.
Copyright by The New York Times
Published: September 13, 2006
One of the worst things about listening to those who rushed to ground zero after the attacks on Sept. 11 is that you can barely hear their stories. For many, the lungs hardly work. As Mount Sinai Medical Center reported last week, as many as 7 in 10 of the 40,000 people who worked at ground zero and Fresh Kills on Staten Island have felt their lungs deteriorate because of their heroism.
What the veterans of Sept. 11 need now is a national response, which is not a strong suit these days in Washington. There are a number of partial efforts to help by city, state, federal and private sources. But somebody has to make sure that those who are suffering don't fall through the gaps.
In a week when homage is being paid to those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, it is worth remembering what happened on May 28, 2002. That evening - a scant 37 weeks after the attack - workers took down the last column from that smoldering mound and officially cleared the site. As one worker said, "You found out who you were, what it means to be an American, what it is to stand up."
They came when America was attacked. Taking care of them now is a national obligation.
posted by Carlos T Mock @ 11:14 AM
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