Video of Loose Change/We Are Change interview with firefighter Manny Badillo at
the Official Loose Change Blog
By Manny Badillo, Victim’s Family Member, August 7th, 2007
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Firefighter John Schroeder, assigned to Engine Company 10
directly across the street from the World Trade Center complex, holds back tears
and describes his first-hand experience on Sept. 11th. His story directly contradicts
many aspects of the National Commission on Terrorist attacks any corroborates
many other eyewitnesses testimony.
“Standing outside the firehouse with my buddies, we were talking about
how beautiful the day was. Then just like that, our lives changed forever. Some
of those guys I would never see again.”
In this exclusive interview, Firefighter Schroeder recollects in great detail
how he was one of the first firefighters to rush to the complex. “We first
assembled on West Street, where we saw someone burnt beyond recognition. We
were like ‘What is going on here?’ and then went straight into the
Marriot building” From there, Firefighter Schroeder made his way to the
lobby of the North Tower. “It looked like a bomb went off, and we started
making our way up the stairs to rescue as many people as we could.”
As they were making there way up the floors, Firefighter Schroeder heard a
huge explosion. “The elevators just blew right out. We couldn’t
believe it. The plane hits 80 floors up but the elevators explode at least five
minutes later? It was unreal.”
Firefighter Schroeder made it all the way up to the 23rd floor before barely
hearing on the failing radios that another plane was coming in. That plane would
hit the South Tower, though for some reason, “We were tossed like a rag
doll by another explosion in our building. People were making there way down
the stairwells burnt like you couldn’t believe. We were all shocked because
it seemed as if there was fire everywhere, on so many floors. It just didn’t
make sense”.
The stairwells were black, and at that point, firefighters were making the
decision to head back down stairs. In making there way down to the third floor,
they were not able to find an exit. “The lobby was like a war zone. We
could not find our way out. Then, all of a sudden, one of the maintenance workers
had a key that opened a back door that got us out of there. He saved my life.”
That worker was Willie Rodriguez. “I want to thank him from the bottom
of my heart."
Firefighter Schroeder today has lost 40% of his lung capacity. “We haven’t
been treated properly at all. From the day of the attack, our physical and mental
health has deteriorated and it seems as if no one cares. To lose friends, to
have to recover their bodies in the days after, to be offered no protections
against that horrific-smelling dust that was everywhere even though the government
said the air was OK to breathe is just not right.” Some of Firefighter’s
Schroeder’s best friends have gotten out of the FDNY altogether while
others accepted money and trips to help. “I stayed right here and did
the right thing and now it feels as if I’m suffering the most. Where is
our government to help the one’s with the toughest jobs on that day and
the days after?”
John Schroeder, we want to thank you for being as brave as your job requires
in speaking out about your experiences on Sept/ 11th. You have set the historical
record straight by explaining your story. This Nation is forever grateful to
you as your account will help to save and protect many more lives.
Today, tens of thousands of such 9/11 first responders are in dire need of
medical care due to the environmental conditions after the 3 towers imploded
at Ground Zero. Diagnosed with cancers and debilitating respiratory illnesses,
these true American heroes have been denied the financial benefits required
to save their lives. While suffering and deteriorating, their health crisis
has been ignored by state and federal policy. Many have already died.
Composed of family members, friends and fellow Americans of individuals who
perished on that fateful day, We are Change will fight to raise awareness and
consciousness to the first responders’ illnesses and hardships. We are determined
to put a face to the thousands of forgotten victims of the 9/11 attacks 6 years
later.
RSVP Today for the 9/11 First Responder Fundraiser in NYC on 09/11/2007.
Source URL: http://loosechange911.blogspot.com/