LOOKING BACK . . . personal photos from 9/11

(Click on the image for details about a special conference held last year at the United States Air Force Academy to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Two friends and fellow Beta Phi Epsilon members were among the featured speakers.)

Last year at this time, we talked about the “Quiet Heroes of 9/11” and reprinted a story about the death of Osama Bin Laden —  a post titled, “Men with Brass Balls chasing Ghosts”.

Like most of us, I watched from the sidelines as the aftermath of 9/11 unfolded, but these two post were dedicated to the men and women who had an active role in the events that day — and in the pursuit of Osama Bin Laden.  Today my hat is off to these people again, and my heart-felt thanks — my respect and even awe go out to the friends of mine from from Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity (SUNY Cortland, NY) who were personally involved.  As members of the US Navy SEALS, the FBI, anti-terrorism and counter-intelligence networks, police officers and firefighters, they –and all the others directly participating in this battle — deserve a moment of recognition for their unselfish efforts.

I think the following photos, taken by them or of them, tell a small part of their individual stories.

Ground Zero at the World Trade Center on 9/11. (Photo by Charlie “Buff” Kerrigan)

Charlie “Buff” Kerrigan was called to ground zero the afternoon the World Trade Towers collapsed.  As Captain of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, Charlie was highly trained in “confined space and high angle rescue.”  He and his crew labored 18 straight hours trying to help contain the damage and rescue survivors.  Charlie said the devastation was the most horrible thing he’d ever witnessed, . . . and something that he hoped he’d never see again.

I know as a fireman Charlie puts his life on the line every time he goes on a call — but his work at ground zero was above and beyond.  He was asked to speak at the Air Force Academy Conference to share this experience.  He’s a former chairman of the Beta Phi Epsilon Alumni Association.

Bob Guzzo Sr. was also a featured speaker at the Air Force Academy Conference.  A life-time Navy SEAL, a friend and fellow Beta Phi Alumnus, Bob was awarded the The Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism for his efforts at the Pentagon on 9/11.  After helping to secure the area, he made repeated trips back into the burning building to rescue survivors.  Following 9/11 Bob worked at the highest levels of US anti-terrorism and counter-intelligence.  “It was like chasing ghosts,” Bob said later of the effort to contain the terrorist threats, and to capture or kill Bin Laden.

 

(Bio from the Air Force Conference speaker’s roster. Photo of the Navy and Marine Corps plaque below.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(A few of his military awards hang on the walls of a small patriotic study in Bob’s home –to me, he’s the kind of guy who makes you want to say “God Bless America.”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next two photos were taken by Mike Garcia, Bob’s close friend and fellow anti-terrorism officer who was with him at the Pentagon on 9/11.  “Half of the photos you see from the Pentagon that day were taken by Mike,” Bob says.  Some of Garcia’s photos are in the Smithsonian Institute and at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in NYC.

The Pentagon after the 9/11 attack. (Photo by Mike Garcia)

 

A lone fireman struggles in the debris following the 9/11 Pentagon attack. (Photo by Mike Garcia)

 

Rob Guzzo JR. during the Iraq War.

In college, Bob’s son Rob Guzzo JR. was a member of his dad’s fraternity, Beta Phi Epsilon — and when he later joined the Navy SEALS right after 9/11, he was awarded Bob SR.’s old SEAL Trident.  It’s the first medal Navy SEALS receive on completion of their training.  Rob JR. was a member of Navy SEAL Team 5 and went into battle in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006.

His buddy Marc Lee lost his life there, the first Navy SEAL killed in the war.  Marc and Rob had gone though SEAL BUD/S training together.  (In background of the picture you can see the name LEE — the camp at Ramadi was renamed CAMP MARC LEE in Marc’s honor.)

Rob Jr. made it through the Iraq war and he’s back home now.  He’s pursuing a career in acting (in action films, go figure.)

 

 

 

A giant American flag was unfurled over the famous “Green Monster” wall at Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox) the day after Osama Bin Laden was silenced.

Photo by our club’s (Johnny D’s) GM, John Bonaccorso

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Guzzo SR. and Rob JR. later, in a more relaxed moment . . . at the wedding of their daughter/sister, Danielle.

Thanks for bearing with me in this little tribute.  New post coming this Saturday.

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8 Responses to LOOKING BACK . . . personal photos from 9/11

  1. Starbucks8294 says:

    Every time I tried to get on your site today I got “a bad connection” message or something like that. Good to see you’re back. Great photos do tell a story.

  2. Jean says:

    This is a moving tribute, thank you. I’m glad you ended with the wedding photo and brought us back to normal times after the crisis.

  3. MikeQ says:

    Starbucks8294: I guess it was a bad day at GoDaddy, Starbucks. A few people let me know and I couldn’t get on myself, or access the anything on GoDaddy (that’s where this site is hosted.) Seems to be working now … thanks for hanging in there, my friend. 🙂

    Jean: Thank YOU, Jean. The wedding picture is of Bob Guzzo at his daughter’s wedding, standing with his son Rob JR. — two of the absolutely toughest guys I know — but also really good people. We should all be thankful they’re on our side.

  4. JT says:

    It’s nice to hear about the real heroes out there. Sometimes that word is thrown around to freely. It does take a very special personality and character to pursue the paths these individuals had chosen and endured. They should be financially compensated like the magget figure head heartless CEO’s that run Corp. America!

  5. MikeQ says:

    JT: Well you were never one to mince words, JT … “the maggot figure head heartless CEO’s!” 🙂 I agree with your assessment of the character these 9/11 guys have. They are unbelievable. See you at the Blues Jam on Sunday. (How about “It’s Cold in the City”, with you on drums and vocals?)

  6. Case says:

    Amen to that they’re heroes for sure. I read the stories before but the pictures still impress. God bless America and thank God they’re on our side. Like I said I’ve seen the story before but its a flag raiser the second time too.

  7. MikeQ says:

    Case: These guys amaze me, Case. I guess it’s like professional athletes … it’s unbelievable when you watch the games what a professional athlete can do. The guys I talked about here are the best at what they do … and they do it in life-and-death situations. I really am a little in awe.

  8. Paula Buckovitch says:

    Just read this today, 1/6/2017; it is great tribute you put together
    Nicely done, Mike. Somehow this was the last piece of
    your blog I read as I’ve been skipping around here.
    But so glad I got to this one!
    I sent you an email but haven’t heard back so I don’t
    Know if you recd it or it wound up in your spam catcher
    As I’ve never emailed you before
    Well I only wish you the very best Mike
    Hope all is well
    Paula

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