Public Employee Press

2001-2011
We pay tribute to 9/11 heroes

By JANE LaTOUR

On Sept. 11, 2001, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Lee Saunders, then heading DC 37, was in Brooklyn when he got the call that planes had attacked the World Trade Center. He immediately ordered staff to evacuate union headquarters on Barclay Street, one short block north of Ground Zero.

Keynoting DC 37's memorial ceremony Sept. 12, Saunders recalled the sacrifices of the members who answered the call that day and worked throughout the coming months to help the city recover.

"It was a collective effort and a challenge like never before," he said. Though the union was displaced from its building and dispersed to sites across the city for six months, services to members continued. And the union members continued to provide essential services to the people of New York City.

"It's ironic that many of the folks who praised public-sector workers at that time are now trying to tarnish you in every way possible, as if you are not worthy of the benefits you earn," Saunders told the assembly of local leaders, members and staff. "We all need to remember the sacrifices DC 37 made that day," Saunders said.

Recognition and remembrance

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts began the day's ceremonies outside the union building, next to the plaque bearing the names of DC 37's 9/11 dead, under a banner extolling their service. She called for a moment of silence in their honor and noted that while the Firefighters and Police Officers have often been honored for their outstanding service, others have gone without recognition.

"We honor our members who perished and we recognize all the members who were involved on that day and in the following months," said Roberts. The outdoor banner was designed by Public Employee Press Art Director Alyce Archer, and another on the stage inside was designed by Juan Manzano of the Information Technology Dept.

Associate Director Oliver Gray pointed out that members of 30 DC 37 locals participated in the rescue and recovery work on and after Sept. 11. Associate Director Henry Garrido introduced "We Remember," a video produced by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, DC 37's parent union, which features some of the many union members who gave selflessly to help others.

The video concludes, "As we remember and mourn the fallen, let us continue to take pride in the vital services public employees provide, day in and day out, in every region of our country." The video is available at http://www.afscme.org/we-remember

"I remember the lives - not the lives lost," said Patrick Bahnken, president of Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors Local 2507. "Each of these heroes was an amazing person. The sadness I feel is that men and women are still dying from the effects of that day." For much of his career as a Paramedic, Bahnken partnered with Paramedic Carlos Lillo, who died saving lives at Ground Zero on 9/11.

Eddie Rodriguez, president of DC 37 and Local 1549, remembered the members' sacrifices on "the day I will never forget," and said, "Today, it is our job to make our world a better place."

Local 1549 Executive Vice President Alma Roper told the hushed assembly how the 911 call takers had put their hearts and souls into answering the calls of 9/11. "They rose to the challenge under a tremendous amount of stress, they made promises, they prayed with dying victims, they gave of themselves," she said.