January
29, 2006
James Zadroga, a highly decorated
NYC Police detective died from respiratory ailments
on January 5, 2006 and is the latest victim of the
9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center
following his grueling 470 hours spent searching
the toxic rubble for survivors and remains of victims
at what has become known as Ground Zero . During
the past 7 months John has become the third rescue
worker to die. For more information visit http://www.townhall.com/news/ap/online/regional/us/D8F6K40O8.html
.
As big a tragedy as was the terrorist attacks on
September 11, 2001 is the fact that somehow many
people (both citizens and in government) tend to
forget the rescuers who not only served at Ground
Zero, but those who devote their lives to training
and disaster preparedness and saving lives . No
one can tell this story better than Captain Scott
Shields, now President of the Bear Search and Rescue
Foundation (dedicated to and the largest non government
provider of grants, training and equipment to search
and rescue volunteers across the country). Captain
Shields and his dog Bear were among the first to
arrive at Ground Zero on 9/11/2001. Captain Shields
suffered multiple broken bones and fractures as
well as developing chronic respiratory problems
that still plague him today. Following his return
from New Orleans in September, 2005 where he led
the small boat brigade that transported the 3rd
Brigade of the 82nd Army Airborne division rescuing
over 11,000 victims, his respiratory symptoms were
worsened. On the other hand, Bear, his faithful
canine companion at Ground Zero (and credited with
finding the most victims and the only survivors
at Ground Zero) died a year later on September 23,
2002 from multiple forms of cancer. This story is
best told in Captain Shield's book Bear-Heart of
a Hero (co-authored with Nancy West), published
by Hero Dog Publishing and can be obtained directly
from the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation by visiting
www.bearsearchandrescue.org |
