Gotham Gazette

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Citizens Union

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Rebuilding NYC - Testimonies From The Memorial Hearing
Gotham Gazette Gotham Gazette

Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Citizens Union

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Rebuilding NYC






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Only Four of Us Made it Out Alive


Lt. Thomas McGoff Engine Co. 217 in Brooklyn

I am a lieutenant in the New York City fire department, assigned to Engine Company 217 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. On September 11, I was working, and I responded with five brave firemen to the trade center. We were approaching the Marriott Hotel when tower two fell. Four of us made it out alive, two guys, Steve Coakley and Neil Leavey, who were with me that day, perished.

As their officer, I was responsible for them that day. As their officer, I am responsible for them today, and I am asking you, that when we have a memorial, and their names go on the wall, I want their names to go up with FDNY, Engine 217, along with 341 other comrades from the fire department, and also recognize the cops from the New York City Police Department and the Port Authority.

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