9/11 Stories: Former FDNY'er Tommy Casatelli

On 9/11 Tommy Casatelli was 30 years old, with 6 years under his belt with the FDNY in Brooklyn after serving with the Marines in Desert Storm. He felt infallible. He was training for the New York City Marathon and the half iron-man, running 10 miles on September 9th, despite being ill with the flu. Feeling even worse , he still reported to work the next night. His mentor, 36 year old Brian McAleese, a young dad with 4 kids under 5, was assigned to drive the fire truck Tuesday morning but offered to switch with Tommy and let him drive, so it would be an easy shift for him. After that, he said, Tommy could take a couple days off and recover from the flu. It’s a common practice/perk in the FDNY: swapping shifts and jobs to make life easier when needed. Barely an hour after they agreed to switch jobs that day, the first plane hit The World Trade Center. By the time Tommy drove his buddies to the site, the second tower had been hit. Tommy watched his brothers bravely march off , with Casatelli staying behind on the rig. That was the last time Tommy saw them . He was the only one on his truck to survive 9/11. Tommy survived the collapse of both towers but says when he left Manhattan for Brooklyn , he was gone. He might as well have been buried in the rubble. The guilt of living was unbearable. Casatelli kept thinking , “I was supposed to die, not Brian”.
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[@linrogers4326]

After watching quite a few of these videos, it’s obvious that the firefighters are a breed apart. All good men and the definition of a hero. They will never get over that day, unfortunately.

[@RubyBandUSA]

FDNY firefighters have always been, still are, and always will be a breed apart. The best of the best! Tommy you are awesome! You were chosen to survive to tell the story ... forever.

[@tracystokes5684]

@@tinkletink1403 wtf?

[@donnalawrence9054]

@@tinkletink1403 You have a problem.

[@alanahorrigan9161]

After seeing the fire fighters when we visited NYC me and my husband had so much admiration and respect for them. One day we were by st.patricks cathedral and a load of fire fighters were going in, outside the cathedral there was a fire truck with never forget written on the back. We then turned around and as we walked past one of the fire fighters we sort of caught his eye and he smiled at us. We could see the pride in his face which made us emotional. We said these men have so much pride in their jobs and we fully respect them for that. We started wondering is there anything we can do to help and we found out if you buy from the FDNY shop some of the money goes towards foundations for them. So we went and bought some stuff. When we return to NYC we will do it again. I know it's not alot but we didn't know what else we could do to support these amazing people.

[@waynevanilla]

um this guy literally committed tax fraud.

[@crabtoes2210]

i rarely see survivors talk about the trauma they sustained that day. im glad to see someone acknowledge that what they went through was awful and something that is going to mess you up and its unrealistic to expect yourself to get over it without some form of help. a lot of people talk about the physical injuries that 9/11 caused but you rarely see people talk about the mental scars it created

[@nanoir28]

My friends Dad once said years and years ago... "You don't have to be so strong" May everyone find strength in their weaknesses💐

[@fayeart5277]

True but in this case "no one" that was there had a choice but to be strong. (All due respect).

[@tiffanygaeta8133]

I would be honored to read his book! Thank you for sharing your story.

[@marymorris6897]

This is one of the best. Thanks so much. Deep honesty is very difficult to achieve.

[@chrissmith3668]

This ironically enough sounds like an AA talk and yet he’s not in recovery. Still it sounds like Tommy is on the healing road and I can only imagine what he went through on 9-11. Keep up the good fight Tommy. You are an inspiration.

[@markbeddow9220]

Thankyou Tommy for your honesty. I've worked in mental health since 1987. I live in the north west of England a place called Saddleworth. My Dad was a policeman and ended up embroiled in the Moors murders tragedy. He spent weeks along with his colleagues looking for the victims on the Moorland above our home. Needless to say this incident broke him and I my two brothers and my mum ended up victims to his PTSD related behaviour. Alcohol was a fuel to much violence within the home. My want to engage with others who suffer was fermented in those early life experiences. I have had the great privilege to meet people like you who have managed to transcend their trauma and go on to do the most amazing things. You are saving lives in this moment by being brave enough, as you say to acknowledge the need for support. Your message is so powerful and I will be sharing this pod caste with others. Thankyou so much Tommy for what you do. I send my prayers and blessings to you. Kindest regards Good Man. Mark

[@edwardheegan]

Brave for his actions on that day, and braver for sharing the truth of his struggles. Much Love my Brother.

[@stephc7127]

Your story is going to reach someone who needs it. Someone who’s been through their own trauma, in denial and not dealing with it. Thank you so much for sharing, I KNOW you’re going to really help save someone.

[@quietreader4190]

Tommy, if you read this... thank you so much for telling your story. I am glad you are clean from your drug and alcohol abuse, that had to be one of the hardest things you have ever done. I know you will never be fully healed from your trauma, but at least now you know how to handle and manage it in a healthy way. I was in middle school at the time, and I remember the teacher turning on the TV that was mounted in the room and the first tower was burning and the second plane hit while we were watching... I can say that day many children lost their innocence, especially if they were old enough to grasp what was happening in the most basic sense. Even I grasped that some of the debris that was falling was not debris, it was people. Even then, it was slightly traumatic for the people watching everything unfold through the television. Twenty years later, it helps me to know that 98% of the people who died that day died instantly after making their choice to jump and felt nothing when they hit the ground, and the rest died instantly as they were crushed to death as the towers collapsed. I feel only 2% of these people burned to death due to the jet fuel and fire, and I know this will be the hardest bit to deal with for you. But for most, including your FDNY brothers they did not suffer upon death, it was instant. In their last and final moments on earth, God granted them that peace of dying a painless death, I know deep in my soul that it is true and I hope that knowing they didn't suffer gives you some sort of peace. I hope you can find peaceful moments, and make happy memories with your children, and experience everything good life has to offer. Semper Fi, Marine. *And to Jenny, thank you for posting these, it helps me to learn further and understand what unfolded that day from the eyes of those who survived and the family members of those who died. I have always been a person who loves to learn and in learning through others experiences it helps me to also heal as a bystander that was just watching everything through the television. Thank you.

[@k.gspianoworldjourneyschan437]

Tommy, your one in a million! I...i..mean!, WOW! im in recovery, and I had my own ups and downs with losses. Nothing like you man! And to admit, well the way u said," The strongest moment I EVER had was admitting I WAS weak.!" Just made a lot become clear! So thank you! Your a NEW hero in my heart!! Lov always!! Kenny ! From Ann arbor, Michigan! Born in derby, Connecticut!! Im an addict & alcoholic! I too am weak!! Huggs!! 🤗🤙❤🏋🏋🏋🏋 Respect!! 🤗🤙🎸🎶🏋🏋🏋💖

[@momsmushroomsjodyfoster5786]

Watching and listening to these stories is how I honor both the dead and the survivors!

[@sharon22669]

Tommy, I'm so proud of you! It takes a lot of courage to come out of the darkness. I'd be surprised if you DIDN'T struggle with PTSD. I hope this comment finds you well.

[@dianemitchell1717]

So happy for you. You took your power back and took back control of your life. Good luck in the future.

[@eds6016]

Tommy, I watched your video over a dozen times. It really helped me. It got me back to make a Therapy- appointment. which I really needed / need. Always a pleasure working with you. Thanks Sully.

[@psychoshamrock]

Happy Birthday, Tommy. 51 today. Annie misses you.

[@RubyBandUSA]

FDNY firefighters have always been, still are, and always will be a breed apart. The best of the best! Tommy you are awesome! You were chosen to survive to tell the story ... forever.

[@StudioEq_777]

Your courage carries on and is very inspiring. it will never be forgotten. Thank you! 🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙌

[@donnalawrence9054]

The is a very great interview. Thank you for another great interview. I am glad he told people about going to counseling and that it is ok to go to counseling. I wish more people would go to counseling. If you don't like the counselor they should try another one. Many times counseling does help . It takes a strong person to go to counseling and admit they need help.

[@canukqueen]

Great perspectives on a horrific event. Bless all of you.

[@LadyPercy.]

Its stories like Tommies that bring home the continuous awful human cost of 9/11. The first Responders, those that escaped from the towers, those that worked on the pile all bare emotional and physical scares that can never be healed. The brutal legacy of 9/11 is incalculable. I live in the UK and watched on the television like millions of others around the world the events play out. Each year my personal memories and feelings of shock and disgust grow stronger, what those actually present much go through is unthinkable. Please God we never forget that September day in 2001.

[@karenweaver7574]

Thanks for your story, yes it hard to ask for help you are very courteous.

[@christinakritch478]

I'm proud of you Tommy, keep your head up kid! ❤

[@lildurpy]

Thank you so so much for your sacrifice. Brian would want you to move forward in life with happiness, please please do this ❤🙏🏻

[@SusanBaumann-ef2hu]

Thank you for your rigorous honesty Tommy. Very inspiring.

[@SC-ii7dv]

Can't believe it's 22yrs, how time fly's, just hope my kids don't have to see any terrorist attacks on our country

[@donnalawrence9054]

They are here In the schools. Look at the woke. Kids have Terrible books in school libraries on explicit sex for 8 year olds to read. The Ohio train derailment wasn't an accident in my opinion. Look up Squirrel Tribe. Start back about 2/ 23 on what she found.Things are scary

[@duncar9935]

@@donnalawrence9054 or even january 6th, people are nuts

[@donnalawrence9054]

@@duncar9935 I agree totally. Some people still live under boulders. It's terrible. Thing we're much more simple before everyone had cell phones.Even with them the truth doesn't get out

[@luv2luv720]

I hope his life has gotten better 💚

[@helenf.7221]

I can’t believe how much he is like me. I didn’t go thru anything near what he did but i did lose someone close to me in a tragic way. I acted just like him. Convinced myself i was fine and strong and the great person meanwhile drinking a lot and not doing well at all. Couldn’t admit it to myself.

[@californiahiker9616]

Tommy, you and your comrades and fellow survivors have gone through some of the worst hell imaginable. About the guilt you and others are feeling, let me ask you this: Had you died that day, would you have wanted survivors to feel guilt about you dying? I know what the answer is. You’d want them to thrive. By the same token I believe you have permission from the fallen to drop the guilt. Of course that’s easier said than done. That’s where professional help comes in, as you already know. I very much admire your courage to share your story, and I thank you for doing so. I believe it will help a great many people. Best wishes to you and your family!

[@kerridrury4240]

Thank you. This kind of strength and true courage - bravery and honesty is so badly needed in this world. I would even say that it is vital to our future existence as a whole.

[@MissBe737]

Thank you for sharing your story. So happy for you getting sober! Stay close to God.

[@sequoyawheeler]

Thank you for your honesty and sharing your story

[@Ihfmpw8]

Maybe the Divine Creator knew that you would be just the right human being to help others who are going thru similar damage through the crap that life throws at us xx

[@refugeeca]

Heck of a video to open when I'm already guiltily pouring a beer wondering if I should quit

[@luv2luv720]

It was a big sign huh lol

[@Lahomebuying]

Hi from LA, Tommy. I’m glad you’re sharing your story and your experience cause it’s no doubt going to help so many. It makes a difference, brother. Fact of the matter is that’s always who I’ve known you to be. Even back to the days of working together at Victory. We knew jack shit back then, right? So glad you made it out alive 22 years ago, my friend.

[@mmddmm553]

Thank you for sharing your story . I am sure this video alone will help many people . Thank you again Brother ,,, BK

[@youngw.a.r2709]

One of the best I've seen. Amazing

[@stevejacobsen3006]

God bless you Mr. Casatelli , your strength shines brightly and your message will help countless other 911 survivors and common citizens alike. The courage and strength of firefighters is beyond my comprehension and I will always praise you and your brothers. I am 15 months sober and pray for any others that need help.

[@dianapintodasilva]

Thank you for sharing your story and for being so courageous ❤️🙏

[@oki134]

This was amazing. Thank you.

[@jban4457]

People always seem to miss the point of why 9/11 was traumatic enough to keep talking about it every year. It's because after the second plane hit, the people who were at ground(s) zero knew that they were actually under attack. Imagine an earthquake or tornado has just hit your neighborhood but now imagine you just found out it was really at the hand of sinister person and there could be more events to come. This was a crazy surprise attack that was causing massive devastation and it was for no good reason at all. Many people couldn't wrap their heads around it. If you watched it on T.V. you could almost sense the dred, you wondered if you were next. It was a crazy mix of terror, anger and speechlessness. In my opinion it is the surprise-attack aspect of that day that makes it unique from most other tragic events. But for some reason the people who do these interviews never really talk about it.

[@snarklar]

Not to take away from anyone's experience, especially being right there but that was the thing for a lot of people, for a long time. Especially that day and a few after. Kept expecting more attacks. Just absolute chaos and paranoia. Even though it was fairly valid paranoia. I know every slightly unusual thing or loud sound made a lot of people panic. There were so many false alarms being called in with huge responses. So much fear and anger. It was very beautiful the way people came together at times though. It was a really strange time. Hard to think about the exact mentality at some points in there.

[@NatalieYOT]

Thank you for sharing your story, I hope you are much better now

[@andyblank4647]

God bless you sir. Thank you for your honesty 🙏

[@MshAhmxiO1]

sound could be balanced better for this one...

[@michaelnielsen3462]

These are great testimonies, thank you♥️ I have always quietly wondered, why nobody “in charge” even considered the towers collapsing. I have no experience on structures like this whatsoever, but still…?

[@smooshiebear80]

The buildings collapsing was totally unprecedented. Nothing like that had ever happened before, because no building collapse had been because an airplane collided with such force that it knocked the fireproofing off of the structure, and then jet fuel burning for an hour to weaken the steel so badly. The buildings were actually designed to withstand a 727 hitting them… but these were much bigger planes, with a lot more fuel, under much different circumstances. Prior to these events no one ever really thought that a human would be crazy enough to fly into a building on purpose. I remember that day originally thinking it was a small prop plane that hit the first tower on accident. Life has changed a lot since then.

[@tomkelly3896]

God bless you brother....may your find and hold onto peace in your life....tomk fdny bronx

[@dianapintodasilva]

I would love to read your book too!!!

[@lauravillanueva2175]

❤ Keep keeping on

[@Tom68446]

I've always thought that when you are abusing if you can just accept that abuse you can recover easier then right? Then you start to become yourself for the first time! God Bless you and thank you for your services to America fighting to keep us safe! You're a good man!

[@ivonneheredia1934]

Thank you Tommy, for sharing 🙏 you've said it so well 👏 I know you're not alone, by you sharing you're helping so many people 😊 first healing signs is saying "I need help " and getting it. I will continue praying for all in Jesus name Amen 🙏 🙌

[@elisae.h.7725]

PTSD is such a strange invisible monster... when I took the step and became the person I knew I was, people around me thought I went crazy. To them the mean, quick witted, cold girl was who i really was.. funky uh the point is to stick with it and dont listen to "them"

[@belindapaul9828]

❤️❤️❤️

[@californiahiker9616]

Note to the producers/ editors. I wonder if you can adjust the volume. Shelli sounds normal, but Tommy sounds way too low, it’s hard to hear him. Is that fixable? It’s such great content.

[@marynagy8072]

Shelli asks if there is anything the Fire Department can do now- this is when Tommy talks about the annual WTC physical and the required pre-physical survey provoking PTSD horror - it should be made possible, to meet with a counselor WHILE doing the survey (not after), even if they have to ask for this in advance. The survey is required for statistics and for Federal funding, but provisions should be made regarding this survey and for the ability to meet with someone who can help survivors fill it out.

[@or2130]

They had a story about is a 9/11 survivor named David Handschuh that is looking for the fire fighter that saved him get to safety once the building collapsed, after looking at some pics Tommy might be the person he is looking for hopefully they can finally meet each other after 20 years of searching.

[@k.a.l.2130]

Hi there! If you ever get an update on this, share it here. Thank you.

[@crazykins9361]

To be honest, if you died instantly without knowing what hit you, you were the lucky ones. It’s always the hardest for those left behind. It’s sad he had to go through the PTSD, he shouldn’t have even been there, he was sick, he was going to go home but one of his coworkers convinced him not to. Of course if he had gone home he still would have had survivors guilt and possibly had it worse but how useful would he have been with the strenuous tasks if he was sick? His coworker was happy to switch and as I said at the beginning he was the the lucky one out of the two. Well, unless he suffered but he would have suffered either way because it would be him with the PTSD otherwise. One of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever heard was when he said the people who got cancer due to their involvement were happy because now they could be free of the guilt.😭

[@annelane7882]

Audio too loe

[@matiasjacob7188]

Argentina .4:38 día sábado..11 de septiembre. .hace 20 años .

[@k.a.l.2130]

Martes 11 de septiembre. Era feriado acá. Ésa fue la razón por la que de pequeña lo vi en vivo.

[@matiasjacob7188]

Yo también es de no creer. El lunes va hacer 22 años

[@coolgirlfrozenfeet]

What I don’t get is the people who shame others for speaking out. We should be able to talk about how sometimes we’re not ok, without the fear of the people closest to us criticizing us for mentioning the things that just won’t go away. I’m so glad there is help for the 9/11 survivors. They definitely need it and they deserve all the best. But at the same time, I wonder why other people, like people on Medicaid, don’t have access to the help they need. Or why some do, apparently because they have had serious crisis situations, but those who don’t have those specific situations (such as self-harm or whatever) can’t find help. People who were born with additional difficulties, which have not necessarily been fully realized or appreciated. Other people, who have PTSD from incidents in their lives. Why is that?

[@patriciablue2739]

Man I know exactly what he means with those surveys! Horrible stuff.

[@richardmclaughlin8345]

I'm sorry, BUT, the guy you "switched with" talked you out of going home! He would have been the driver if he had let you go home!

[@hardcorehunter9438]

Can't hear shit

[@mariopezic4247]

Wash your ears

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

Powerful insight as always. However, this talk of some supposed higher being just sounds totally odd.

[@dlynch1898]

Please change your mind. Your eternal life depends on it. Thanks for listening. 🙏

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

@@dlynch1898 - An eternal life? Zero evidence, of course, for such a hypothesis. It only exists in your head, because you reckon you are entitled to more than your random tangible life.

[@HeatherRose2023]

To Tommy…even Jesus can’t save everyone. He wants to, but he can’t, because some people don’t want be submit and be vulnerable to needing to saved and redeemed. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You can’t control what other people do. Don’t forget that. Don’t take their sin on as your responsibility. That won’t help you or them. 9/11 was not your fault. Your part is to abide in Christ…to trust and obey the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit in you. Thank you for your service. ❤️🙏✝️

[@nowirehangers2815]

No

[@lyndapierson6338]

wonder how they feel now knowing the taliban is lurking round the corner and certain people want to de-fund our police. what a sad state of affairs.

[@x0xTHLover4Lifex0x]

When the police learn that civilians shouldn't just be killed like cattle then maybe 'certain people' wouldnt want to defund them. Idiot.

[@kcb8130]

@@x0xTHLover4Lifex0x lol

[@jenruth792]

@@x0xTHLover4Lifex0x “certain police” idiot.

[@GerardVaughan-qe7ml]

Not sure of my name and uH I was a uH fireman, that was it.. Sorry I'm bored with how you all loved each other so much and played Grope-ball....

[@nowirehangers2815]

Things bad at home Gerry?

[@Veronicae266]

@@nowirehangers2815😂😂… brilliant 🤩…. God bless Gerald

[@Veronicae266]

You need a hug G?