Kerry M. Datz oral history interview conducted by Eliza Marcus, August 4, 2010

About

Kerry was a self-employed carpenter and volunteer firefighter on 9/11. He was very anxious to go to Ground Zero to help. He waited for a call at his firehouse on Long Island until Friday, 9/14/01, when he was asked to go. He went to Ground Zero for one day with other volunteer firefighters in a van loaded with supplies. They drove there on the LIE on the morning of 9/14/01, and the closer he got to the site, the more surreal it became. The ash was like snow. At some point he was in a cemetery near Ground Zero and the tombstones were almost completely covered in ash. He was in awe-- shocked and astounded by the carnage and destruction. He got to the pile at noon but it looked like night. Helicopters and military jets were flying overhead and he noticed the rescue dogs had boots on and their eyes were caked with debris. He was impressed with the amount of supplies--the sidewalks were lined with thousands of cases of water, eyewash for dogs, food, clothing, etc. Kerry buries his emotions and does not talk about 9/11 much, although he will never get the images out of his mind. He had strange dreams after 9/11 and went to many funerals although he personally did not lose anyone. He thinks the WTC Programs are "fantastic." He said his mental state since the event has gotten worse. He mentioned not long after the event, he went to Disney World and at the airport, the metal in his lungs set off the metal detector. He told his son, "The world will never be the same." Kerry is so…

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Library of Congress, in Library of Congress

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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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