Staying Fit
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- Inspired by 9/11: Volunteer firefighter John Battistoni. Watch
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- 5 tips for finding the best 9/11 volunteer opportunity. Read
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- At Ground Zero, a retired firefighter keeps stories alive. Read
- Essay: What I really know about 9/11. Read
- Poll: Did 9/11 change the U.S. for the worse? Read
Of the thousands of heartfelt messages and placards on the fence surrounding Ground Zero, one posted by the New York Fire Department's Ladder Co. 20 raised a defiant cry: "You have destroyed our buildings, but not our foundation."
Ten years later, the buildings are slowly being rebuilt by 3,000 workers at the site each day.
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But how about the foundation? With a fragile economy, a dysfunctional government, devalued institutions and angry, dispirited citizens, our nation's foundation needs some work, too. Our generations, better than most, know the state of that foundation. We have borne the brunt of the Great Recession — our homes have lost value, our retirement savings have shrunk, and the unemployment rate among those over 55 is at historic highs. All the while and in unprecedented numbers, our children and our parents look to us for support.
Looking for optimism? Visit St. Paul's Chapel, the tiny 245-year-old stone chapel across the street from Ground Zero.
Miraculously, as the twin towers collapsed, this tiny chapel survived and overnight became an oasis of hope and rest for thousands of rescue and recovery workers. After arranging the first supper of hot dogs on Sept. 12, the chapel coordinated an effort that grew day by day and organized, cooked and served up to 3,000 meals daily. Eventually, the chapel, with an army of 14,000 volunteers, offered health care, rest and relief — even music. It was a heroic effort. The lessons learned are worth recalling as we seek to fulfill the promise of Ladder Co. 20 and restore our foundation.
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