On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was leaning against a railing talking to my boss as we prepared to open for business. We watched in horror as the first and then the second plane flew into the World Trade Towers in NYC. We watched the towers collapse and the people running away to safety. It was an unbelievable sight. One I will never forget.
But through the chaos, one image stands out above all others. Police officers, firefighters, EMT's all running towards the buildings. Running! Towards the buildings! Stopping to help those in need along the way but still moving towards the center of the destruction. Not thinking about their own safety. Not concerned about the consequences. Running!
For days, weeks and months they worked on the site. Sifting through the rubble to find any trace of the victims who died within the buildings. Long shifts in horrible conditions. All this time though the air quality is awful. Dust and asbestos debris floating in the air. Getting on their clothes and into their lungs. The exposure is excessive.
Fast forward eighteen years. Too many of these brave souls are battling cancers and lung diseases. Some of the cancers associated with asbestos take many years to develop. So while they are at their weakest, their most vulnerable the program that pays for all of these selfless heroes healthcare treatments is out of money. Bills are being denied. Claims unpaid. Adding stress to an already difficult situation.
Jon Stewart, who has been advocating for these men and women for years, goes and speaks to the US Congress. He shows up with many of those battling diseases that are directly caused by that day and its aftermath. Yet only five of the twenty members of the House Judiciary Committee bother to show up! Only five! It is beyond disrespectful.
Of the twenty members, all have repeatedly gone to 911 ceremonies. They have all said, "We must never forget". They have all tweeted about the great sacrifice of these men and women. Yet only five could bother showing up. And Jon Stewart was pissed. As he should have been.
His speech was eloquent. He was moved to tears talking about the health issues facing these lifesavers. And he could not control his anger. Pointing and raising his voice. Telling those that did show up that their counterparts should be ashamed. All the time knowing they would not.
"They responded in five seconds. They did their jobs. With courage, grace, tenacity, humility. Eighteen years later DO YOURS." -Jon Stewart
**As I was getting ready to post this I just heard Congress passed a bill today with funding up til 2090 for the 911 rescuers. Better late than never.**
Ang
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