First Responders Not Allowed to Attend 9/11 Memorial Service
- Posted on August 18, 2011 at 6:59am by
Jessie Abrams
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Bonnie Giebfried was a first responder during the September 11 attacks almost 10 years ago. On that day, she was twice entombed in sheared building fragments, and escaped twice. She transported people to safety and set up makeshift triage stations. She watched bodies hit the ground and suffered three asthma attacks.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg‘s decision to not allow first responders to attend this year’s memorial ceremony at Ground Zero is a fresh wound for Giebfried.
Courtesy of Mia Aigotti, Giebfried on left.
“If the Founding Fathers ever saw what had happened to us responders, they would roll over in their graves,” she told CNN. “Leaving first responders and survivors out of the 10th anniversary is absolutely ludicrous.”
Ludicrous in Giebfried’s mind, but the Bloomberg office said it makes sense. It said first responders haven’t been invited to the past nine ceremonies either. It offered space constraints as its explanation of the exclusion. Attendees are expected to include victim’s families and several politicians, including two presidents, according to CNN.
But first responders are saying there’s a difference in being not invited to a memorial and not being allowed to attend at all. In the past, first responders say they haven’t been formally invited, but they usually were able to participate just by showing up.
One first responder said she’s “totally heartbroken” to hear the news.
“I‘m crying because it’s really a big betrayal on the part of the city, to rob me from my way to pay homage and to find that comfort and healing,” she said in a phone interview. “I feel that I have been robbed of my way to pay tribute.”
Another one of the roughly 3,000 first responders said the exclusion does little to honor those men and women who responded at one of the country’s more dire moments. The Rev. Terry Lee called the news “a rip in the heart.”
“I believe attending will help the healing process … if we go; we can tell our fellow man to get involved, because, ‘hey, America takes care of its own,’” Lee said.
But Giebfried and others say that‘s the exact reason the Bloomberg office doesn’t want first responders there – the country hasn’t taken care of its own, she said.
Giebfried told CNN she has suffered from a failing liver and kidneys, a crushed arm, elbow and wrist; post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic fatigue, encroaching lupus and other diseases. All were caused by the dust, debris and other substances to which she was exposed on 9/11. She said allowing first responders at the memorial ceremony would just show how little the country has done for people like her 10 years later.
“It‘ll bring up the issue that we’re basically walking dead, and that we’re not being treated.”
Others agree. Father Stephen Petrovich came from Ohio hours after the attacks to help remove and bless fragmented bodies and comfort mourning families. He’s now in hospice care because of carcinogens he inhaled while helping victims, he said, and he’s getting little help.
“I don‘t think they want us there because of all the problems we’ve had,” Petrovich said. “It‘s like we’ve been dropped off the face of the earth.”
The World Trade Health Center Program said that the causal links between exposure on September 11 and incidents of cancer were too weak to warrant compensation for cancer treatment. It ruled against pulling funds for this purpose from the $4.2 billion Zagroda Act in July.
A September 11 worker who lost half of his foot because of his rescue efforts, spoke to Fox News about the decision last month. He said he’s confident cancer will eventually be covered for 9/11 first responders, in this interview.
Bloomberg spokesman Andrew Brent said the office was working to find another place and time to honor first responders, but Giebfried is still dissatisfied. This exclusion, she said, was nothing more than another annulment of her of the belief that the United States honors and looks after its service members.
Courtesy of Mark M. Lawrence
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Comments (157)
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:11amGo anyway.
Does anyone think that the NYPD would prevent them attending or haul them off? NYPD lost a lot of brothers and sisters on 9/11. I have the feeling the “blue flu” will kick in.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:59amIt is unbelievable how the First Responders are being treated not only with this matter but on other issues also. But when a citizen is in trouble – who are the first people called. God is certainly not happen with this one. http://wp.me/pYLB7-1sY
Report Post »encinom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:31amIf it is a question of space as Bloomberg says, i side with him and that the families of the victims come before the first responders.
Additionally, when those the Blaze care about the first repsonders, this board was in flames when the bill was Rep. Weiner took the GOP to task for voting the bill down the first time and was up in arms about how bad the bill was when it finally past. The Blaze and the Tea Baggers only care about the first reponders when they can use them for photo ops.
Report Post »db321
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:44amHow dare you NYFD and NYPD department’s thank you can make ground zero a Memorial. Ground Zero is a symbol of Muslim Victory over America and it is now a Islamic Holy Site protected by separation of Church and State. You guys should spend 911 putting out grass fires and giving out parking tickets.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:22amHow about doing this. NYFD, NJPA and NYPD show up first then everybody else try to get in.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:40am@encinom — that bill was loaded with other junk, not a “clean bill” just for first responders. That is why the bill was killed. The Dems wanted exactly the reaction you are giving when they strategically loaded it w/other stuff. They are the ones you should blame for the first responder bill failing in Congress.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:52am@Elena2010
What a line of BS. The GOP the first time around attemtpted to amend the bill with every poison pill they could fine, when that failed they voted against the first responders and the tea-party cheered the GOP on.
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:34pmEncinom,
Did it ever occur in that pea brain of yours that those first responders lost family and friends on 9/11. Bloomberg is using a BS excuse and you know it. And please stop with parroting talking points. It‘s tired and quite frankly I’m tired of hearing the stupid from people like you.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:48pm@hifi74
Pea Brain, those that lost family members are attending. This is another non-issue Beck is pushing to score Tea-****** points, a group that told the first responders to go to hell when they asked for help with their health care.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:53pm@hifi74, NOTHING ever occurs to that nitwit other than to use vulgar terms to insult those with whom she disagrees. Her head is so full of crap that she can‘t help it if that’s the only (socially acceptable) thing that escapes her oral cavity. And BTW, I‘m sure she didn’t lose anyone in the attack. It’s just more sick of her to use the victims as a ploy in an attempt to validate her invalid talking point.
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 1:41pm@ENCINOM
Report Post »Instead of just believing everything that you hear from Press, Miller, Schultz, Hartmann, and Goldman… maybe you should listen to the other side to make more informed comments.
Stick around, but remember calling people names doesn’t help your side of the debate.
WASALIBNOWIGOTIT
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 2:25pmWhat!? Not even the captains and chiefs!?!? Dispicable! Get rid of the damn politicians, they only want the photo-op!
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 2:50pmThe people of NY voted him in. The first responders have their answer from their community.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 3:59pmJust go anyway, I guarantee you New Yorkers and the whole country will welcome them and put Bloomberg in his place. The first responders belong there, they are part of the history of the event. My feelilng is Bloomberg doesn’t to want “over-wave” the flag so as not to upset muslim and liberal sensibilties. So by denying the first responders access, he begins to chip away at the patriotic aspect.
Report Post »LookTowardsTheLight
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:52pm@encinom
On behalf of my fellow blazers…KISS OUR @SS you foul human being.
Report Post »Candertwin
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 10:02amI hope someone attending the ceremony dials 911.
Report Post »Boudreaux1065
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:06amDon’t you see Bloomberg only wants his political buddies there. No room for the hero’s who risk life and limb and did all the work. We little people need to hear the blow hards give us another speech and tell us just how wonderful THEY are! What a joke NY has for a mayor. Bring your salted hot buttered popcorn along with a cigarette that should get this buffoons attention.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:00amYea, family members of victims and political members? If there’s limited space, cut out the political members and all 1st responders. No big loss to skip the political members. Were they there pulling people from buildings?
Report Post »agameofthrones
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:19amLet’s not allow Bloomberg and his cronies to attend. They just use it for politcal rhetoric. Let the families of victims, survivors, and first responders go. No one else put their lives on the line. Bloomberg is a jerk. And as another commenter said, “Go anyway!” You will have the support of all police and emergency personnel as well as the families!
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:04amIf something terrible happens during this event, I would think that Bloomberg would be inviting them over to help save his pathetic life. Go away Bloomberg, you elitist a$$.
Report Post »couponjunkiesunite.com
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:27pmAHEM Colorado!, This is just beyond deplorable actions on his behalf.
Report Post »couponjunkiesunite.com
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 12:29pmMeant “Amen” I was so upset by this I didn’t proof read..lol
Report Post »shirelover
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 2:55pmCoupon, I was reading your “ahem” comment and trying to figure out what you were trying to say, “ahem, shhhh, don’t say anything…“ then I looked down and saw you meant to say ”amen’ and started laughing. typo’s can be hysterically funny, usually when we are trying to be serious.
I do agree, AMEN!
Report Post »iamHeidi
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 4:02pmDear ColoradoMaverick;
Report Post »Of all the comments I’ve read so far, yours is the BEST. Thank you.
Iman Barak Hussein
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:03amMayor Bloomberg and his lesbian sidekick christine quinn, have invited mostly gay activists to the event.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:23amWith bloomberg, that makes sense.
Report Post »How dare he tell first responders they are not allowed to go?
Most people think he’s gay.
Hickory
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:03amAll you NY idiots who voted for Bloomy are getting what you deserve. He could care less about those heroes of 9/11 and he could care less about the victims of 9/11. He only cares about himself and his crud sucking buddies. You just have to believe there is a lightening bolt up there somewhere for people like him.
Report Post »does this burka make me look fat?
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:01amThese first responders should show up regardless. No one had to tell to run into the towers when they were hit by the dirtbag Muslims….no one should be telling them now what to do.
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:56amand this surprises you, New York allows gay marriages, I say all of them should just go to the ceremony…try to stop them!
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:04amMust be the honorable mayor “Bloomberg ” who wants the 9/11 mosque built there.
Report Post »alwaysapatriot
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:53amIf it wasn’t for them, so many more would have been lost. Maybe now they will see Bloomberg for what he really is and never vote him back in . The first responders will always be heros in the American people’s view. God Bless Them.
Report Post »politicianssuck
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:00amNobody cares about what bloomberg really is. They care about what can be taken from somebody else and given to them. As long as bloomberg delivers they will deliver votes.
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:12amMay God Bless all the people that responded overwhelmingly to the disaster not thinking of themselves but of others. All should go and rejoice their FAITH.
Report Post »FedUpToo
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:53amI would like to know how many Muslim’s have been invited to attend?????
Report Post »Totally Domestic
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:00amYES! According to B.O. THEY were the ones who sacrificed on 9/11.
Report Post »Certainly not NYPD or NYFD.
texascav
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:52amThe first responders need to be there. I say show up and be there. Its horrible to exclude them.
Report Post »db321
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:23pmIt would be an American tragedy if the first responders were not represented. NY would be nothing without the Brave Man and Women from the NYFD, NYPD, Port Authority, and all the other Heroes that showed up on 9/11. I think you guys aren’t invited because Bloomberg and Obama are planning to Proclaim Ground Zero an Islamic Holy site.
Report Post »BrendaB
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:52amWE were planning on coming to the 9/11 Ground Zero Memorial , that is until, New York City’s decision to un-invite or ‘tell our first responders’ that they were not welcome, they could come at a later date…..Just suppose when this declaration of WAR happened if the First Responders had said we’ll be there at a different date, just hold on….Praise The Lord they didn’t act so foolish. They stepped up, they went above and beyond their call to duty. I’d bar the Polititians myself.
Report Post »burr99
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:52amYahoo, better to have dershliekmeister (oh yea that’s right, he was IMPEACHED) there than those who were saving peoples lives. Honestly, what are they thinking?!
Report Post »NurseEducator
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:43amInsane, beyond words and that is all.
Report Post »TXWildfire
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:39amWhy are they so slow. Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, the people who where there first saving people’s lifes NEED to be there. What’s wrong with people today?
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:33amApparently Bloomie can’t do the math….without the heroic actions of the first responders the ceremony would be honoring many, many more victims. His action is absolutely shameful.
Report Post »NewFoundingFathers
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:37amI do understand Bloomberg side. We already know that the 911 event is a target for a terror attack but on the other hand NO ones going to tell me where I can and can’t go but hey its New York City the same place where they can tell you you cant own a weapon to defend yourself! Thank God I dont live in New York!
Report Post »teammommy
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:37amJust tell them Bloomie you’re gay and get a first row seat.
Screw it go anyway…
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:43amYeah. You all just go anyway.
Report Post »teammommy
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:36amCome on Bloomberg step up. Afraid the Muslim community may not like it??
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:40ami would show up and force them to remove me , if they dare.
Report Post »MaggieRose
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:34amThis is an outrage! Granted, first responders do NOT respond for any sort of glory, but of all people to be honored on this day, at this site, THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE THE FIRST HONORED, not some goofy politicians!! They should be first in line after PRESIDENT Bush, Mayor Giuliani, NYPD, Police, Port Authority workers, etc. For HEAVEN’S SAKE this beloved country is upside down…
Report Post »NightWriter
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 6:25pmI bet if it was left up to Bush and Gulianni… they’d give up their seats for the first responders.
Because they’re true American Patriots – unlike some other trash NY politicians
Report Post »happy2behere
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:34amAll the politicians should stay home, then there would be room enough for the victims’ families and first responders.
Report Post »kentuckypatriot
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:56amSounds to me that the only room they have is for politicians, the hell with everyone else. Bloomberg, stop politicizing this, you moron. It‘s getting to the point that I’m embarressed for being a US citizen.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:00amAs far as I’m concerned the mayor, the politicians and the prez should stay home.
The only people who should have the opportunity to be there are:
the families of the victims
the survivors
- and the true heros:
The brave folks who did their job without hesitation. They layed down their lives trying to save others by rushing into the buildings
The hundreds of firemen, first responders etc who poured in from all over the country. They didn’t have to be asked – they just came. And they worked round the clock digging for possible survivors and then many stayed for weeks to assist in the heartbreaking search for bodies.
Report Post »ZenBiker
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:30amI don’t know why this surprises anyone. Michael Bloomberg has a well developed sense of pandering to the political while slapping the faces of of decent people such those such as the first resoponders. There is nothing he won’t say or do to to promote himself or his agenda, in this case denying access to the truly heroic at a 9/11 ceremony. I pray for you, Mr. Bloomberg, that you will find the strength in yourself to start doing what is morally correct, not just politically expedient.
Report Post »megansmom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:29amWhat the heck do you expect from this mayor? He even agreed to building the mosque on ground zero and you expect him to respect the first responders? They’re heroes and would just remind him what a zero he is. His ego couldn’t take it.
Report Post »Kai Wan
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:27amJust another reason to hate that cesspool everyone calls New york……….dbagocrat hellhole.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:44amTime to Boycott NYC. When I used to go to “The City”, a long shower was needed to cleanse the Stench of NY out of my clothes and skin. Now we refuse to spend any money in that UN cesspool.
Report Post »Cocheta
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:26amGood God! The INMATES are rubbing the asylum!
http://www.vince4potus.org/ – An Alternative to Destructive Professional Politicians
Report Post »Midwest Blonde
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:26amRubbing? Ok. Interesting choice of word…..
Report Post »Cocheta
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:35amHa, take your pick: Stupid posting on my part for not proof-reading a hastily-written message (getting reedy to head out to work), or… The stupid spell checker for inserting it in the first place. I’ll thrown down the Obama Blame Card™ and blame the spell checker!
Report Post »Midwest Blonde
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:25amIf ANYONE should be allowed to attend, it’s the first responders. That and victim’s families. Bloomberg is wrong on this one!
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:24amLet them attend! I’ll bet Bloomberg made sure an invite was sent to the Cordova House developers…..
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