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CNN Live Today

Interview With NYC Firefighters Tiernach Cassidy

Aired May 30, 2002 - 14:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: It was an especially emotional ceremony for New York firefighters, many of whom worked at ground zero where they lost hundreds of their comrades. CNN's Jason Carroll joins us live from a New York City with more on that -- and, Jason, not just any firehouse?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Carol. This is engine company #3. This is the firs station where they lost five of their own members back on September 11. Take a look behind me; you can see this permanent memorial that has been set up in front of the fire station. The five men, firefighters Steve Dalson (ph) and battalion chief Oriole Palmer (ph), Lieutenant Phil Petty (ph), firefighter Michael Mullen (ph) and firefighter Angel Juarve (ph).

At 10:29 a.m., a number of the victims' relatives gathered here at the fire station. All of this area was set up; everyone back here watching the ceremony on television. There was a minute of silence when this room was filled with some of the victims' family members, firefighters as well. It was a very emotional moment, Carol. Being an outsider and being invited in to witness this with these people here -- it was an intimate setting, a very moving setting. A number of people here crying when that lone stretcher was brought out of ground zero, and then everyone in the room, the firefighters saluted as that steel girder, that symbolic steel girder that has been standing there at ground zero for so very long, a symbol of strengths, finally brought out of the pit.

Joining me right now to talk a little bit more about how today's ceremony went, this is firefighter Tiernach Cassidy. Tierhach, thanks very much. I know that you were actually down there on 9-11. You were there when the second tower collapsed. You were also very involved with the recovery effort going on down there. Now that you've seen the ceremony, any particular thoughts that you have?

TIERNACH CASSIDY, FIREFIGHTER: It was a moving day, like I say, to see all the families here, and you know, it makes it seem all worth it when everybody gets involved like that. No one was left out. Tried to include everybody, because everybody was effected by this.

CARROLL: It seems the attention was really focused where it should have been, namely on the firefighters, the police officers, those from Port Authority. No speeches given.

CASSIDY: Well, just today, just because it was the official last day of recovery efforts at ground zero, specifically for, you know, firefighters, police officers -- I mean, for everybody, but today in general, I mean, for everybody -- civilians -- where they'd be a New Yorker or not. It effects everybody.

CARROLL: Also, there was a moment of silence here. I know that a number of people were thinking about their fallen comrades. What were your thoughts at the time?

CASSIDY: It was emotional. It was -- I teared up a few times. You know, just seeing some of the sort of parents of firefighters that we lost here -- it's still tough to talk about. And it will get easier over time, but it's something that will stay with us forever.

CARROLL: All right. Well, I know that the entire country is standing behind all of you guys. Tank you so very, very much. Thanks again.

Carol, once again, Tiernach and the rest of some of the men here telling me that today was a day about reflection, also a day about recovery, and hopefully pretty soon we can get on to rebuilding -- Carol.

LIN: A new phase begins as of today. Thanks very much, Jason Carroll.

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