- BROOKLYN, NY -- 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."
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- 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."
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- 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."
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- 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".
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- 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.
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- 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?"
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7471885217846396761
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