Robert Frayler oral history interview conducted by Sonia Fore, July 19, 2010

About

At the time of September 11, Robert was a Verizon field technician. In the weeks following the attacks, Verizon called for volunteers to help repair the damaged communication cables. Robert, along with hundreds of other Verizon employees, volunteered to go to Ground Zero. Their objective was to assess and repair the telecommunication infrastructure that had been severely impacted by the collapse of the Twin Towers. Upon arriving, Robert witnessed a vast scene of "total destruction." Armed with gas masks, the Verizon team went into manholes to inspect cables and assess the extent of the damage. Robert worked on-site for approximately six weeks, from October to the week before Thanksgiving. His team entered buildings to examine utility rooms where phone cables were located, determining what was salvageable. The task was challenging and dangerous, with uncertainty about potential collapses and concerns about the air quality. The atmosphere at Ground Zero was chaotic, with thousands of workers, trucks, and machines operating. The surrounding area was roped off, but curious onlookers gathered outside, trying to grasp the magnitude of the disaster. The Red Cross provided support, distributing water and food to the workers during their breaks. Robert emphasized the patriotism and camaraderie among the responders. Political figures, including President George Bush and Mayor Giuliani, visited the site, offering encouragement and support. Despite the challenging and intense nature of…

Archive

Library of Congress, in Library of Congress

Licence or status

Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.

Credit

Library of Congress

Language

English

Country

United States

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