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The Story behind the
Photos:
(28 photos)
Originally published in the South Shore Press,
May 2004
© 2004 Lally Communications dba South
Shore Press
 On
the evening of September 10, 2001, Manorville resident Pete D'Ancona
called in to his New York City firehouse to report that he had been
summoned to court and could not report to work the next morning.
A fellow fireman covered for D'Ancona's shift.
That
fireman and four others from Engine 10/Ladder 10 of the Ten House died
in the rubble of the World Trade Center that were attacked by
terrorists.
For
weeks following the attacks, D'Ancona searched, along with his
comrades, for the fallen. And, three years later, as president
of the Firefighters New York Motorcycle Club, D'Ancona wanted to do
still more. Ten House sits precariously on the rim of the
monstrous hole that was left after Ground Zero recovery operations
were completed. The old station house suffered from the attacks.
The classic building was re-built by the city - red brick replaced by
sleek stainless steel.
We
want a permanent memorial inside the House, D'Ancona explained.
We want something that we can reflect upon now and in the future.
That day and the guys who died should never be forgotten.
D'Ancona
and his Suffolk County-based motorcycle club began announcing the
benefit run a few months ago. Flyers were printed, the South
Shore Press featured D'Ancona's mission and word spread throughout the
motorcycle and firefighter communities. Last Sunday, over 2,800
motorcycles, along with more than 5,000 people, descended upon the Ten
House, located at the end of Liberty Street and bordered by the Ground
Zero excavation site. I just can't believe how much support
we've received, D'Ancona said as he hoarsely shouted parking direction
to still more late arriving bikers, some of whom traveled from as far
as the west coast to attend the benefit. Bikers from Long Island
alone accounted for a seven-mile stretch of Harleys, Indians and BMW
motorcycles. When D'Ancona, who led the Long Island cavalcade of
motorcycles, pulled up to Ten House, the tail end of the contingent
was still navigating the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway far from downtown
New York. In all D'Ancona said that over $28,000 was raised.
Every penny is going toward a memorial, he said. I just want to
thank everyone who made this possible.
NOTE:
The Memorial was built and dedicated November 19, 2005 and stands
proudly in the Ten House as a Memorial to our lost brothers. See
story and photos on the 9-11 Chronicles pages. |
