9/11 Stories: Chris Letizia

On September 11th, then NYPD’er Chris Letizia was a Bronx cop working the night shift. Around 9:00 AM the NYPD put out a call for a full mobilization, that we were under attack, and all cops were ordered to report to work.we were under a terror attack. Letizia and his co-workers were frustrated. They wanted to be at Ground Zero, but instead, they were assigned to a high school football field in The Bronx, where the military planned to land helicopters, and then, Jacobi Hospital Morgue. When their shift finally ended at around 2AM, Chris and his buddies drove down to Ground Zero. Letizia says it was like a Hollywood movie set. It almost looked fake to him with piles of dust and debris with smashed police cars and fire trucks. Other vehicles were so damaged, you couldn’t tell the make and model.
For a week, when his night shift on the NYPD ended, Letizia would head down to volunteer on the bucket brigade. He says it was the right thing to do. His cop and firefighter brothers were part of that debris, among close to 3-thousand victims, mostly cremated and pulverized.
Most nights, Chris was joined by a good friend and rookie cop, Patrick McGovern, who later became his partner, working counter-terrorism for the NYPD. Letizia says Pat was such a great guy, when he’d stop for his nightly pre-shift Baskin Robins chocolate ice cream cone, he’d order two, giving one to a homeless person. Pat McGovern was diagnosed with a 9/11 stomach/colon cancer when he was just 38. He died two years ago at the age of 43. The NYPD lost 23 cops on 9/11. The department has since lost more than ten times that number..and growing.
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[@ivanahugankiss8414]

This Canadian will never forget what happened to our fellow North Americans on 9/11. Sending love from the north 🇨🇦

[@Queen-of-Swords]

Shelly, thanks for doing these, they are fascinating to listen to. I think we ALL have PTSD from this. The entire world. If you were born before 9/11 you can see what has changed. I was born in 73. My first flight, the air stewardesses came and invited me to see the cockpit. It was common back then, including smoking on planes. The pilots absolutely loved speaking to the passengers and showing off their planes to the kids. Anyway. You see changes big and small for our whole planet. Very few of them good, I'm afraid. ♥

[@donnaritch9704]

Shelly you have done a very special service through all these amazing interviews. Thank you from your cousin in Ontario Canada

[@nanfrostsfashionfocusstyle6250]

Glad you were able to talk about Pat McGovern. He sounds like he was a great guy. 43 is too young to die.

[@anamiriamrodriguezcruz3824]

So sad how he talks about his firefighter buddy.

[@lisadyck9503]

I'm sorry you lost your friend. Thank you for telling us about him and sharing your story.

[@LillianArch]

God Bless You! I'm so sorry you have 9/11 illnesses. I remember when Condoleezza's Letter reassuring workers there were no toxins in the smoke and particles. I knew they were lying.

[@katelynbrown98]

Exactly. How could they say that? It's obvious there were toxins. At least 4 entire buildings came down and pulverized a city.

[@NJBeachlover1]

Rice’s office was told by (The chief of staff for then-EPA head Christie Todd Whitman) to come out with her statement. At the time, this was the EPA’s belief, although it was obvious from the devastation alone that breathing that air was toxic. They rushed to this decision to calm fears, and obviously that was the wrong move at the time.

[@xino_z]

I remember I was 20 and all of us wanted to pile in the car and look for people

[@Queen-of-Swords]

Hi Chris, if you are ever reading these comments, I was a little older than you when this happened, I live in the UK. Thank you for telling your story and for doing what you did in the clean-up. I was just wondering if you know that untreated Sleep Apnea can cause anxiety. Maybe this was part of the trigger for your PTSD. I know this because I have SA myself. Its such a weird illness. Being as we have a socialised medicine here, I had to wait over a year for my machine, even though I had guessed I had SA. Those last few months before I got my machine were just the pits. Whilst I have always been a little claustrophobic, I went nuts. My fear of elevators became so bad, I damn near would have a panic attack getting in one. My chronic health problems are very bad, at that time an MRI was booked for my spine, these take about 45 minutes. OMG, I managed about 30 minutes and I pressed the little button to get the attention of the operators. The button was broken. I had a full on panic attack, my first and hopefully last. Sweet J---s. I climbed out of that machine before it was finished and banged on the window. I can't tell you how many MRI's I have had, always managed to lay there and think nice thoughts before then. Anyway, I later learned that untreated SA causes all sorts of things, as you say, you have some of these. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver, you name it. Anxiety is another. My anxiety got so much better with a CPAP. However, I have central episodes and my stats are never great, but some of the things have improved, the anxiety very definitely. Wishing you all the best dude!

[@evanschaffrath1401]

I never forget....prayers for the brothers and sisters who gave their lives for our freedom 🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@brycemcqueen5922]

Watching these interviews 8/;15/21 and thinking about the BS going on in this country. Makes me sick! I will just leave it at that. I was.24 at the time of 9/11. When he say's the resources about PSD ect, " is weak". A lot of services of that type are just, checking the boxes. Just making sure enough is done so that the entity doesn't get in trouble etc. etc. As if integrity , accountability , concern for others etc.. Is becoming rare in this country. To think that something like 9/11 is the only thing that is going to save the U.S. is very upsetting and disconcerting. It's disgusting!

[@Augfordpdoggie]

thats why i moved out of america. tired of people believing government lies and me having to pay taxes for it

[@dianemitchell1717]

Thank you for sharing your story. You ha e a good heart

[@californiahiker9616]

Thank you Chris for telling your important story, and thank you for your service! Best wishes to you!

[@katelynbrown98]

I am so sorry for all of their losses. This is amazing & heartbreaking how all-encompassing this tragedy is. I can't say was cause so many people are still affected by this terrorist attack to this day. RIP to all the responders and civilians who did all they could to help. Weather their limit was physical, skill, or emotional. It is so profound all that the people have done to all they could to help and do what is right.

[@GOTMYJR]

Chris i didnt know you were down there bro!

[@belindapaul9828]

Thank you for sharing your story. Every one of you is a hero.

[@lesliewoodhull5383]

Bless your heart, Chris! You’re a real hero!💕

[@lorenat05]

🇺🇸💙❤️

[@Momster89]

The mask deniers of today could learn from the recovery teams who suffer from ailments due to 9/11. Many people refuse help for PTSD.

[@birdbrain4978]

I think when someone is going through the pain and PTS of recounting a tragedy like twin towers, it’s not appropriate to bring a different political agenda. There weren’t enough masks available during 9/11 or covid.

[@lorettajones5076]

@@birdbrain4978 agree

[@koogle5410]

what a childish and ridiculous comparison