All photos on this website are property of BK Chess, Copyright 9/17/2001.  Reproduction for profit is STRICTLY prohibited.  Reproduction for personal/non-profit use is acceptable with permission.  Contact me for permission.

From Saturday 9/15/2001- Monday 9/17/2001, I had the humble honor and privelege to assist as a Paramedic in the relief efforts at 'Ground Zero' in Lower Manhattan, NYC, along with a contingent of approximately 30 ambulances with approximately 70-80 other emergency personnel.  These photos are not in the order in which they were taken.  However, they are captioned to give you a reference point and give people somewhat of an idea what is going on down there.  Please pray for the victims and families of this tragedy.  Please also pray for the Firefighters and other rescue workers who continue to search for possible survivors.  Also, if you have not done so already, please donate blood and/or money to the Red Cross.  You can visit http://www.redcross.org for more information.  Thank you.

A different kind of graveyard--- One of the towing sites for vehicles removed from the rubble.  How many of these vehicles will not be reclaimed by their owner?

Two Rescuers -- A search and rescue worker and her faithful K-9.  Sadly, this dog was killed in the debris later the same day.

A breather--  Fire crews take a breather as shift change is made.

All the king's horses--  Construction workers, Firemen, Police Officers and others combine together to search through the debris for survivors

Another load--  A steady line of dump trucks and construction vehicles take tons of debris away from the scene

Behind the Amex Building--  The scene behind WTC #3, the Amex Building

Night view--  Night time view of the rubble from Building #7

EMS Checkpoint---  One of many command centers set up to dispatch relief crews

Concrete Skeleton--- The remains of WTC Tower #1, as seen from behind the Amex Bldg.

Day and Night---  The scene of WTC #1 wreckage from behind the Amex Bldg.  Crews working around the clock.

Dawn of a New Day--- Sunday morning, September 16, sunrise.  The view from our ambulance as we approached our stand-by destination at West and Vessey

Entering Chaos-- The scene as we approach our stand-by location.

Gathering---  A fresh crew of Firefighters gathers as they prepare to climb the mounds of debris in search of their fallen brothers

Heroes of all Shapes and Sizes--- Search and rescue workers and their K-9 companions approach the devistation, on their way to relieve their exhausted counterparts.

The skeleton at night--- Night time view of the skeleton of WTC #1

Huddle---  Fresh crew of firefighters gathers together before climbing the pile to relieve their counterparts.

Lighting the Way---  Super bright halogen lamps light the way so rescuers can work around the clock

Monumental Task---  For rescuers and investigators alike, the question is, "Where do you begin?"

More Rubble---  The pile shrinks, albeit much too slowly for those trying to reach remaining survivors

Off to Work--- Another fresh crew arrives and heads into the devistation.

Ready to Serve---  A portion of the UNYAN contingent at a NYS Thruway rest stop on the way to NYC.

Behind Amex---  Behind the Amex building at night time

Devistation---  Close up of the base of what was WTC Tower #1

Standing in Defiance---  Bldg. #5, still standing in defiance

Strength of Hope---  Old Glory adorns the attack-worn side of the building adjacent to #7 and one building across from Tower #1

Surreal Landscape---  A once bustling area of commerce is now replaced by an alien landscape framed by the skeletal remains of Tower #1

Where to start?---  Firefighters, Police and Investigators survey the destruction.  Note Old Glory hangind near a utility pole, and displayed proudly near ground level.  HAVE PRIDE IN AMERICA!!!

Work Continues---  Crews working around the clock.

Workhorses---  Construction machines work tirelessly to remove debris