Interview202049 min640×360

Robert Maggi oral history interview conducted by Laurel Gumpert, July 15, 2020

Gumpert, Laurel

History

At the Library of Congress

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About

On the morning of 9/11, Robert, an electrician who worked for the Battery Park City Authority just a few blocks from the World Trade Center, heard the news of the attack, went outside, and watched in disbelief as a second plane struck the second tower. The unimaginable continued to unfold as Robert saw people jumping from the burning towers. The impact of witnessing such a tragedy left him feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Robert and his colleagues evacuated the area and witnessed the collapse of the Twin Towers. They took shelter in an empty taxi and later sought refuge on a boat heading to Staten Island. Despite the trauma and uncertainty, Robert returned to work just two days later to assist in the recovery efforts. He had to go through FEMA checkpoints and obtain passes to access certain areas. Robert and his colleagues, including a horticulturist named Carson, documented the aftermath with photographs. He also helped with various tasks, primarily cleaning and restoring the Police Memorial and assisting with other community-related tasks, such as animal rescue, which involved retrieving pets left behind in apartments of people unable to return to their homes. Having a support system during this challenging time was of great importance to Robert, and he recognized the difficulty faced by those who didn't have such support. He emphasizes the unity and patriotism that emerged during those difficult times and how important it is to remember and appreciate the goodness that…

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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