On September 11, 2001, kamikaze terrorists unleashed a vicious and unprecedented attack upon America.  Within two hours, the 110-story twin towers of the World Trade Center were leveled, a wing of the Pentagon was destroyed and at least 6000 lives were lost. The world was shocked and horrified at the scope of the violence and cruelty with millions seeing live the collapse of the New York City skyscrapers. 

In 1986, Our Lady  predicted international terrorism would strike this nation and produce "carnage such as has never been seen before in the United States." 

After securing press passes, Michael Mangan and William Dykes from the lay order of St. Michael, pursued this tragic story to Ground Zero at the World Trade Center. Hundreds of blessed rose petals were given and appreciated by everyone of every race or occupation. Grieving families of the missing  were also touched by the gift.

St Michael’s World Apostolate extends heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all who were personally affected by this terrible tragedy. We offered two Rosary and candlelight Vigils in September for the victims, their families and friends, rescue workers and peace in the world. The Sunday Holy Hours are also being offered for peace in the world until further notice. The community of the lay order of St. Michael remember the same intentions in our daily Rosaries.

We have arranged for Gregorian Masses (30 consecutive days) to be said for the repose of the souls of the thousands who perished.

Ground Zero

Dense yellow-brown smoke still rises. The 6-story mountain of rubble towards the bottom of the crane was 7 World Trade Center, a 47-story building that stood next to the towers. The smoke irritates your eyes and throat, saturates your clothes and has a foul smell.

Michael interviews an exhausted rescue worker, Roberto Marello,  who just came from the pit. He describes a scene of utter devastation and horror, including grisly finds of body parts. He's been  working for five straight days.  He can't sleep because he has nightmares, particularly of desperate survivors reaching out to him with outstretched hands. Despite the heroic non-stop efforts of the fire, police and other workers, no survivors have been found since the second day.

Media from around the world come to report.

Michael reporting live for our national radio program to moderator, David Martin, in our Los Angeles studio. 

Shows 193 and 194 for St. Michael's Broadcast were recorded live from the ruins and the audio copies have been going like hotcakes. The shows are available as a set for only $5 (plus $2.50 ship & hand). Some of the other live interviews can be heard on later broadcasts.

Jeremy of Campbell's Soup says they have served over a ton of free soup so far.  He adds, "There's nothing like some soup to warm your hands and your heart."  McDonald's and other businesses in the area, in the spirit of good will and charity that surged after the attack, also help feed the army of workers and volunteers with free food and beverages. Many other companies and neighbors contribute, too, with their time, services and goods.

Ground Zero

A towering mountain of debris several stories high of  twisted metal and crushed concrete. Interestingly, the assistant fire chief explained that the ruins were in the shape of a cross with a mountain of debris at each point.

Day and night the rescue effort continues.

Buildings for blocks around are covered with dust, ash and soot. The thick film on this window is used to draw the twin towers. Over 14,000 businesses are affected by this monstrous attack that either temporarily or permanently shut them down.  A large radius of lower Manhattan is blocked off admitting only authorized personnel.  Although New York City is known as the city that never sleeps with all the hustle and bustle, in the aftermath it resembles a ghost town. No problem parking now. It is an eerie feeling walking through the dark and empty streets.

Left in the wake is at least 250,000 tons of steel, enough to build 20 Eiffel Towers.

Going through a checkpoint to the pit.

Jack and George from the 6th division, South Bronx. Some 350 of the Bravest gave their lives for the rescue of their brothers and sisters. They lost two from their division but knew many others that perished. The fire chaplain, Franciscan Father, Mychal Judge, also died in the line of duty but not before, as one report said, giving general absolution to the firemen before they dispersed into the burning towers.

Good-hearted people come day and night to cheer and support the rescue workers!

Thousands of homemade signs by the families of the missing are posted on news trucks, vans, buildings and bulletin boards.

At the Family Assistance Center, Michael interviews 10 year old Mike Donohue of Paramus, N.J.,  who lost his uncle that worked on the 89th floor and whose wife was expecting their first child on Sept. 28, the Dad's birthday.

Grief-stricken Peggy Garbarini of the Bronx, N.Y. speaks of her missing brother, Lieutenant  firefighter, Charles Garbarini, a 16-year veteran.  He worked for Engine 23 in midtown Manhattan and sadly all of his engine is missing.  He has two boys, 5 and 3 years old who are waiting daily for their dad to come home.  Peggy is still hoping for a miracle.  

This is a difficult assignment for the media.  After one interview with another couple, a misty-eyed reporter turns to Michael  and said, "I can't take this anymore."

Thousands give blood for their injured brethren . . .

. . . and donate bottled water, food, supplies and whatever is needed.

A Canadian rescue worker, Danno Cusson, uses a trained dog (below) to find survivors or bodies in the wreckage but has not been successful.

The rescue dog gets a bath on return from the dusty pit.

Her husband is missing who worked for CBS on the 110th floor. Her son speaks with Michael below.

Pedro Rivera explains that after his Dad escaped the 1993 World Trade Center bombing he asked CBS for a transfer to their 57th street studio.  He got it but later was transferred back to the highest  floor of the World Trade Center. Around his neck hangs a large gold image of St. Michael.

Worldwide media

Reporting live for St. Michael's radio broadcast.

The chief of public safety, William Smiths, for CUNY (City University of New York).  The main campus and other buildings are two blocks from ground zero. He gave the order to evacuate and one minute later the tower fell.  The students were safe although they did witness the deaths of some others at the World Trade Center and were hit with some debris and heavy dust. His crew rescued people trapped in a basement. 

William says that the TV pictures of Ground Zero simply do not do justice to the utter destruction he sees in 3-D. He exclaims, "I can't believe my own eyes and I have spoken to war veterans who said they have never seen anything like this."

A New York pressman, James Dineen, who works in the neighborhood lost friends in the trade towers. He was a regular visitor with his girlfriend to the shops and restaurants underneath.  His brother died the Saturday before the attack and some of the friends that were at the Monday night wake were missing on Tuesday. James says, "I thought a nuclear bomb had hit. I think all families of the victims should be given Purple Hearts."

A rescue worker said that the color and smell of the smoke is that of carnage.

Military police patrol the area.

Ground Zero

The shell of the twin tower.

Still smoking two weeks later.  A fire truck sprays water.

Michael reporting live for our national radio program to moderator, David Martin, in our Los Angeles studio. 

Shows 193 and 194 for St. Michael's Broadcast were recorded live from the ruins and the audio copies have been going like hotcakes. The shows are available as a set for only $5 (plus $2.50 ship & hand). Some of the other live interviews can be heard on later broadcasts.

Firefighter, Robert, from Engine 276 in Brooklyn, N.Y. speaking with Dave in our studio. His engine arrived before noon that fateful day.  He personally knows 10 comrades that are missing because of a rotation system they use and one of the Bravest, Frank Palumbo, left ten kids behind in Brooklyn.

Bill Dykes, photographer

Rescue workers search in the night for any sign of life.

Thousands of spectators and tourists satisfy their curiosity.

Many bystanders left words of encouragement written on  long sheets of paper taped to the barriers. One note says: "My co-worker's 6 yr old daughter asked to go to NYC to help dig people out! We are with you--heart and soul. Portland OR 9-13-01"

The shell of the tower. The solitary tree adds to the spookiness of the scene.

Cranes move wreckage in the darkness.

War zone

Removing steel girders. Day and night trucks are leaving Ground Zero with debris. Every vehicle leaving the pit had to be hosed down for safety reasons. The mayor says the cleanup will take many months.

The restricted zone around Ground Zero is patrolled by the national guard or the police. There is no admittance unless you have credentials or you are a resident or business owner.

1 and 2 World Financial Center still stand over the ruins of the World Trade Center.

St Michael’s World Apostolate extends heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all who were personally affected by this terrible tragedy. We offered two Rosary and candlelight Vigils in September for the victims, their families and friends, rescue workers and peace in the world. The Sunday Holy Hours are also being offered for peace in the world until further notice. The community of the lay order of St. Michael remember the same intentions in our daily Rosaries.

We have arranged for Gregorian Masses (30 consecutive days) to be said for the repose of the souls of the thousands who perished.

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