We Were There, November 3, 2015

World Trade Center Survivor Leokadia G. and NYPD Recovery Worker Frank V. share their personal stories of September 11th in their 9/11 Tribute Museum presentation of We Were There on stage at the National September 11th Memorial Museum.
Leokadia was working on the 82nd floor of the North Tower on 9/11. She recalls a voice inside her telling her to wear comfortable shoes that morning, her terrifying escape from the North Tower, and her 9 mile trek home, thinking it was the end of the world. She speaks of prayer, fate, and the importance of love and family.
Frank was among the thousands who searched through debris at Fresh Kills in Staten Island following the 9/11 attacks. A Detective Sergeant for the NYPD, he talks about sorting through 1.8 million pounds of debris for human remains and other identifiable objects, as well as the difficult conditions at the site, including dim lighting and methane bubbling up from the ground as they searched.

[@leanneadams2549]

I find her accent strangely comforting!!!!! and truly a beautiful family. Thank you so very much for sharing your experience of the brave soul!😞🇺🇸🥀❤️

[@darlenehynes855]

Thank you for your stories. The power of prayer is wonderful. I live in Newfoundland, Canada and I will never forget that day.

[@commonsense9494]

I got to the landfill a few days after 9-11 and I remember seeing so many dogs with their handlers I did not understand what these dogs were doing there...as a young detective growing up in NYC working in the bronx in narcotics I had no clue....a dog was digging away and I remember staring at these big puddles where bubbles were producing and when the bubbles popped smoke would come out ..it was like I was on Mars...suddenly the dogs handler said detective can u help me..I was in plain clothes with my partner in a raid jacket...I had no gloves tyvek suit on goggles nothing...I reached down where this dog was digging and I started to pull out like a old mop strings....I kept pulling and pulling it was so long..till this day I see this...the handler was congratulating his dog gave him a treat and kept telling me to keep pulling with my bare hands...finally it stopped no more string...he handed me a plastic milk crate ...I placed all this mop string into the crate which I could not honestly understand...he told me to bring it over to a green hut like a MASH sitcom tent...it was the FBI s DNA HQ I later learned...they were flabbergasted I couldnt understand why...I said what is this...detective this us someone's small intestines..we can definitely ID this thru DNA.....9 months I did this...I know many families can sleep at night knowing that I found their loved ones remsins... as for me I cannot sleep...PTSD sucks God Bless America never forgive never forget...bronx narco ranger forever team 52-11

[@7YBzzz4nbyte]

Judith P. makes such a nice introduction to all of these videos. I've watched 5-10 videos now.

[@janew2108]

Seriously! She’s a professional.

[@7YBzzz4nbyte]

@@janew2108 yes she is, I liked her introductions to this difficult topic! ♥️

[@patriciakelly5451]

I agree with you on that.

[@wendylawson3857]

I feel like this lady has nine lives

[@bacaworld7095]

Lol yes!! She is so timeless

[@brt-jn7kg]

To whom ever thought to get these stories down before they are lost to history is a gensis! If only we'd done this for the civil war, Spanish American War, WW1, Spanish Flu, The Great Depression, WW2 etc.

[@liberalview6729]

For most of those wars that u named tv wasnr even around then so it would have been hard to do it that way so I guess that's why we have an oral history of those wars.

[@brt-jn7kg]

@@liberalview6729 well I just want the history down I don't care how they do it doesn't have to be by the video oral history is good enough just to record it.big difference between reading it and hearing it from the people who were there zone mouth. Can you imagine how great a history would have had if we could have recorded all of the American civil war veterans that were alive when that technology came out

[@liberalview6729]

@@brt-jn7kg I definitely cant argue with you on that. They have recordings with some of the other wars u listed but like u said that would have been awesome if they would have had them on all. Like u said they defcould have recorded the spanish American war come to think of it because that war was in 1898. The record player was invented in 1877 I think. I'm a history buff and it sounds like you are too because we are one of the only ones that would get excited over something like that. Lol. I've been watching these 9/11 stories since yesterday and I love it. Most of everyone's story who was there was important. I hate that the media only brings us the stories that they considered to be news worthy or movie worthy. There are so many more stories. Today I was watching actual footage on here from inside the lobby in the south tower I believe and this guy commented and said that he seen hisself in the footage and his best friend that ended up passing away that day. They had made it to the bottom level but he said somehow his friend got lost in the crowd I guess and ended up passing probably when the tower came down. But to me things like that are so fascinating.

[@chelseagreer6264]

There is absoloutly tons of testimonies from ww2 survivors from not only death and concentration camps, but also those evacuated, those bombed in British and in Europe. Lots of them have subtitles but if you dont mind reading subs theyre brilliant. What they went through and then to have people record them telling their stories. Theyre amazing

[@Caramel1806]

@@liberalview6729 Was the video over an hour?

[@lbu9542]

Thank you both for your story. Mam, you have a beautiful soul. Sir, thank you so much for your service, our country appreciates it. God Bless the USA 🇺🇸

[@adisiowy]

I’m Polish too, and I am so happy that she made it. I really love their stories. It’s amazing they’re sharing their experiences from that day. I think they’re incredibly brave. ❤️ God Bless everyone who lost their lives that day R.I.P. ❤️

[@claudiadambrosio7648]

What a beautiful heart this lady has, what a faith, what a story! ❤️ Her story really touched me, this shows there’s really something more that we can’t fully understand. Me too sometimes I don’t have faith, but when I hear certain stories like that, I believe

[@holylandfan3275]

That "voice" was/is the Holy Spirit. Such a nice lady. Such a terrible day. 🙁

[@BUBBA808]

Yes! Yeah I’m Christian and I believe that was the Holy Spirit I hope she finds Jesus and accepts him into her heart we all need god in this day and age

[@holylandfan3275]

@@BUBBA808 Amen to all you said. Yes, now more than ever. 🙏

[@chriswakefield9538]

@@holylandfan3275 Satan destruciw kohntarkosz mekanik destructiv!

[@lascfd]

🇵🇱🙇‍♂️ the Polish genes saved her 🙇‍♂️

[@blane6592]

nathanieldayspring00 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@antoinettelamontagna9999]

God bless this wonderful blessed lady!

[@j.6023]

The Polish prayers

[@monikathomas4985]

Loved her story ❤️

[@juliamarin4896]

Working for weeks on end at the Staten Island site was clearly traumatic, as many others have stated. What a hero for doing the work that he did as NYPD. Bravo!!

[@ForeverSunnyy]

I adore Judith. She has such a calm voice and a wonderful narrative. I’d love to meet her some day.

[@lucysmith7400]

What a sweetheart that lady is ❤

[@GracieAhora]

Don’t know who asked the last question but.....omg!!! Annoying is an understatement!!

[@riggstwenty2]

When the enormous tragic story of 9/11is dissected into these singular human stories......... wow , so very powerful and so very important that they are documented this way. It forces you to see beyond the physical horror and appreciate and acknowledge every human experience from that terrible day.

[@happybaak]

Awww... What a terrible experience. WOOOW. I got goosebumps! The lady is sooo lucky that day. I cried to her story. 😭

[@tinaturner134]

9/11 turn my stomach it’s disgusting see people died and rest in peace lovely angel of 9/11

[@shastacastor]

You are so cute. Thanks for reminding us we don’t ask God for things, we ask for strength, courage, patience and peace, etc.

[@thenanlife1141]

Cannot even imagine how this day went but thank you soo much for sharing your stories ... god bless you all xx💖💖💖💖

[@melaniemills4505]

To think there are thousands of other stories like this...individual people telling their personal story about this tragedy makes it more real. ☹

[@osobnivlogy5386]

Incredible story

[@MshAhmxiO1]

It is possible that randomness in tragedy is more of a truth than "fate"... Thanks to the host for addressing this. Never forget.

[@MshAhmxiO1]

@ 30:00

[@dianewinnicki8115]

Thank you for posting this. Incredible stories.

[@bacaworld7095]

Praying for someone does many things in the spiritual realm. One of the things it does is draw Gods attention to that person. It provides a shield, a hedge. Safety. Discernment. A voice to fallow… always, always pray for your children, your spouse, your family, your country. Ask for angels to be dispatched to watch after them. It. Makes. A. Difference!

[@bluefidle]

Well put. God bless.

[@Whirrrlpoool]

So the people who died or lost someone horrifically in the collapse- didn't pray hard enough? How insensitive of you.

[@jaysummers9396]

Utter nonsense, what about the thousands of dead people who prayed?

[@bacaworld7095]

@@jaysummers9396 what about the thousands more who DID pray and didn’t die? y’all are so silly. You want God to be there for everyone when you don’t give him a second thought. Most of America hates him and absolutely spits on his word and commandments. But when trouble comes they are all wondering where was God?! If you don’t believe, then don’t be surprised when he doesn’t show up for you. If you don’t listen to his warning and act on that warning then don’t be surprised when something bad happens. We have a responsibility also. It’s a relationship- meaning it takes 2 communicating and mutual respect.

[@MegaVthompson]

I’m sooo touched by their stories‼️ God Bless you to all victims❣️💞

[@jackkoba8053]

History being kept alive,, memory by memory. Thank you for sharing

[@javecha7]

Faith and love❤🙏

[@meggieblechinger6177]

I love this litle kind precious lady God bless 😊😊😊

[@gretchenweddle2298]

Thank you for posting ❤ Never Forget

[@johnnyfire3860]

This host lady needs to let the guest speakers answer the questions at the end and zip it

[@bluefidle]

I thought the same thing... geez...

[@Jazzyk-zt7pe]

This lady is amazing

[@Lizanne75]

Annoying audience question 27:05 onwards. Ask a question dude, don’t give a half an hour lecture! I so wanted to shut him up! 😤

[@milkflavored]

This!!!! Thank you for the time stamp. He made me so annoyed I just clicked off the video.

[@gingeybread1423]

Literally what was that last question guy saying oh my god how annoying

[@BonJody]

I couldn't figure out where I had heard an accent and voice like hers before , I just realized she reminds me of Gilda Ratner doing Rosanna Rosanna Danna. I don't know this lady but she is so adorable I just love her

[@El-vi6lg]

This second " Philosopher" and his 256 min question....🤔Make it simple.

[@emmas5000]

This person has been through an atrocious and mind altering event. It can’t be easy to succinctly state your memories after thinking about it for years

[@amandah.2202]

Yess jeez that boy could go on n on 😂

[@my2centstoo]

Pretty sure El is talking about the guy who asked the very lengthy question, not the man who did the recovery.

[@VickiBee]

Eric was in the Tower she was, but we never saw him in one whole piece, again. They found a bracelet a body part and a shirt that was, surprisingly, in one full piece.

[@LISTEKok]

Bardzo fajna pani, super, że Polka opowiada w zagranicznym wywiadzie :)

[@johnnygonzalez6199]

How many people were killed on floor s where the planes hit and above

[@KS-cl8br]

God protected her.

[@BUBBA808]

Yes🙏🏻

[@lisasmokette6511]

It's possible only the people that prayed to God in those moments of hell were saved

[@theilluminati2319]

In order to become a U.S. citizen, you need to satisfy the various requirements described in the article Who Can Apply for U.S. Citizenship. Most people also need to pass tests on their knowledge and understanding of: the fundamentals of history and of the principles and form of government of the United States, andthe English language, as it is spoken, written, and read

[@El-vi6lg]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@paulettelittle7500]

do many people day that building swayed back and forth real far then back 2 it's original position then stopped it's like God cane down and put his hand on those buildings 2 stop them from falling straight forward!! wow thus is a miracles I believe in angels and if course God they were their I feel sorry 4 the people who sent threw that Lord have mercy iyceas do scary 😥😥😥

[@Caramel1806]

I am not 100% sure what you were saying, but I can tell that you believe in God.

[@thomasdaniels6824]

@@Caramel1806 The buildings swayed back and forth 6-8 feet after the impact of each plane. The swaying of the towers severely damaged the structure of both buildings. That person is saying that God stopped the buildings from just falling over at impact.

[@johnnyfire3860]

Nah, it was just the man made structural integrity of the building that stopped the swaying

[@reginafallangie2867]

It was engineering. The towers were built with a shock absorbing system that was able to sway up to three feet in either direction on a windy day. The same system kept the towers from toppling from the impact of the planes

[@marcelm3533]

@@Caramel1806😂😂😂 I agree

[@lizzypop2628]

Only paper survived the WTC

[@TheWriterWalker]

Not a balanced pair of presentations. Also: What a powerful, godly first story.

[@MshAhmxiO1]

But it is balanced because they are so completely different. What do you expect with this reality?

[@user-xg5hc2nd6c]

@@MshAhmxiO1 why do you fail to keep your mouth shut

[@vanillagorilla8438]

"Fresh Kills" landfill... 😂🤣👌 Leokadia says that she didn't believe in coincidence's... 🤔😲😂👏🤣

[@KatWoodland]

I caught the coincidental irony there too.

[@bd3825]

Lol sharp pair of ears. I heard it, but did not think anything of it so when I saw your comment I remembered hearing this.

[@maryloufremlin4152]

To bad Mrs Puchi doesn’t believe in God 🤔He loves her

[@MshAhmxiO1]

Honestly it is a bit egocentric to impose your beliefs on all of humanity isn't it?

[@user-xg5hc2nd6c]

@@MshAhmxiO1 people like you are not needed

[@bd3825]

Christians, stop stuffing your bs doctrine down people's throats. Go away!

[@BUBBA808]

God does love her

[@kerithompson6134]

I didn’t hear her say she didn’t believe in God.

[@NadjaBusiness]

Damn why always this religious weird stuff?

[@juliab2560]

not weird at all. it's her experience and her story.

[@alm.5192]

I'm not a religious person, but i think we should respect what gives people a sort of relieve after a traumatic situation.

[@bluefidle]

It happend.

[@oliviamueller845]

​@@bluefidleYeah, it happened!! And it happens every day...