September 11 + a Playlist
By: Maggie Laubscher
Nineteen years ago, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was a single, brutal day of mayhem. Terrorists overtook commercial airplanes and flew them directly into The Twin Towers and Pentagon. Scratch that: it was months of mayhem. And then rebuilding. And fighting for help for those injured in the attacks. And now, a new report shows the current administration has been depleting funds meant to help some of the injured.
According to a New York Daily News piece this week, the Trump administration has siphoned roughly $4 million from the New York City Fire Department’s fund for its September 11 first responders. The fund is part of the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program, which provides healthcare to first responders who have suffered illnesses from 9/11. For the past four years, the U.S. Treasury Department has been withholding parts of payments meant to cover medical services for first responders. No explanation has yet come forth.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks caused thousands of injuries, at least $10 billion in property damage and countless long-term health issues. First responders came out strong in the hours and days following the attacks. They searched and cleared rubble, found survivors and in general put themselves in harm’s way. They suffered a range of long-term illnesses from dust inhalation and other factors.
The New York City Fire Department’s fund for first responders was a beautiful way of trying to help those that helped others in one of our country’s darkest times. And now it’s being threatened. Correction: it has been threatened for the past four years, by the Trump administration. So here is yet another reminder to vote this November 3. Please vote.
September 11 remains the deadliest terrorist attack in human history. It’s also arguably the deadliest job that firefighters, police and first responders ever undertook. Here at The Nelle, we thank all first responders for their service. That day and always.
