The Day His World Stood Still

 The Day His World Stood Still

Suzanne Marsh

He stood stock still in front of the television; dear God what was happening? Tears began to trickle down his face. How could something so horrible be happening here in the United States? Will, was in the process of getting ready for his shift as an EMT, in San Diego County California. His twin brother Gil was there in New York City attached to the FDNY Tower Ladder One; he said a quick prayer that his brother would stay safe. He drove through rush hour traffic in Los Angeles; bumper to bumper at seven o’clock in the morning. Like most commuters he had to leave early to be there on time. By the time he reached his unit everyone was standing in front of the television watching over and over as a plane flew directly into the South Tower. Will, found Captain Tim Roden:

“Captain, would it be possible for me to get some time off. My brother Gil, is in New York

City, he is stationed near the Twin Towers. He is my only living relative.”

Captain Roden waited only a moment;

“Will, go, see if any of the other men will go with you. The news reports sound as if New York

City will need all the help anyone can give. If you need anything let us know.”

Will, still bewildered notices several of the men waiting:

“Hey mano, we heard about your brother being in New York City, an EMT. We

are willing to go with you to help out. Looks like we can drive in shifts, the airports are

shut down, at least for now.”

The six men went home, gathered as much gear as the car would hold. They drove into the night each man taking a seven hour shift. On the morning of the sixth day they noted the debris from the New Jersey side. The smoke from the debris was still present. Will, looked on a map; found the street where Ladder One was located.

Upon arrival the men realized that there was no one at the station; why? Will was already shaken by the events that brought him to New York City. They strode over to the Twin Towers; police still had it cordoned off. Will saw a familiar figure coming out of the dust and debris; his brother Gil:

“Hey brother what are you doing here?”

“We came to offer our services in any way needed. This tall skinny fellow is Jack Monroe,

the short one next to him is Mac Smith, this is Jace Pearson, Clay Horner, Tom Gray and my

EMT partner Jose Rodriguez. We are all EMT’s our captain said to go; do whatever we

could to aide people.”

Gil, trotted back into the smoke bringing back his captain:

“I don’t know what to say other than thank you men for coming. There is a great deal to be

done. We are still trying to locate people that are trapped under debris. We can hear their

shouts but we are pretty limited on rescue people. Gil, can you show them where to store

their gear.”

Gil, motioned Will toward engine one. The men began to look for hazmat suits, hastily mixed in with boots and ropes. Will had a great deal of experience in rescue there was always wild fires, not to mention earthquakes. Gil, felt the first rumble, he thought the building was merely shifting again. Suddenly another rumble, smoke began to pour out once again; the wall closest to Gil gave way. Will heard Gil scream; he ran toward the sound with the others behind him.

Will, began to scream:

“Gil, Gil hang in there brother. We will get you out.”

Gil’s captain came running with an axe in his hands. The captain noted Will’s face and thought:

‘Oh no not Gil, his girlfriend will be devastated and his brother Will, although I have just met him;

is not going to handle this well.’

“We start digging now in shifts until we can get Gil out of there. Pearson, Horner you

work with Mason and Kipowski. No more than one hour shifts...let’s have at it.”

They moved quickly. Will, Jose Jace and Clay began to dig several hours later. Will kept tapping on the wall to be sure his twin stayed alert. He thought about how strange it was, he had dug out so many victims of mudslides and earthquakes; just minor ones. Here he was now digging to rescue his brother. Those he had rescued were strangers; this was his brother.

Later that day the tapping stopped as did Will’s heart; then it resumed. Will had done this thousands of times he climbed down into an abandoned well. He was frightened for the first time in his adult life. He wanted to cry out: ‘we have to get my brother out’ but the men that were part of team already knew that. Will’s life seemed to be going south quickly; he knew that the longer the rescue took the less chance his brother had to survive.

Sadness loomed as did the night. Working lights hung in every possible spot to give the teams more light. Will, was standing on top of a small mountain of debris; his heart thumping wildly. The captain of Ladder One came over to Will:

“Will, Katie O’Mara is here, she would like to speak with you for a moment.”

“I don’t know any Katie O’Mara.”

“She is Gil’s girlfriend.”

“Oh, he never told me her name. What do I say to her? Sorry my brother is buried in the

rubble; we don’t even know if we can reach him in time. I can’t do that not right now.”

The captain nodded; the next thing Will knew was there was a beautiful red haired girl, with dancing green eyes.

“I understand that you are Gil’s brother Will, I came to talk to you and give you

something.”

In the palm of her hand was an old faded picture of his parents and his brother. He was surprised that Gil had the picture. She placed it in his trembling hand. I also have this; this necklace belonged to your Mom. Gil gave it to me but I don’t feel right in keeping;..you know, just in case.”

Will wasn’t sure if he wanted to hug her or shake her; he chose the first one. He gave a huge hug:

“Thank you Katie, I am sorry but Gil never told me your name. “

“It’s fine Will, I am just sorry we are meeting under these circumstances. Is Gil going

to make it out of the debris?”

“We are trying but time is running out quickly. I will keep you posted.”

“Thank you Will.”

Will rushed back to the rubble and debris; he noted the tapping was diminishing quickly. Now it was just a matter of time and a great desire to live. The men noted that they were almost to Gil. The tapping ceased. Will knew what that meant; something inside Will died at the very moment. Tears began to roll down his dirty stained cheeks. The captain, seeing Will standing still strode over:

“Why have you stopped digging?”

“Captain, the tapping stopped about twenty minutes ago; that means just one thing

Gil is dead. My brother, my twin, my best friend is dead.”

Two o’clock in the afternoon, they found Gil’s body in the debris. Helmets were removed from heads in a show of respect for Gil. Arrangements were made for Gil’s funeral. He was buried from Ladder One on a beautiful sunny morning. Will, the six men from California and Gil’s EMT partner Jack Tanner carried the coffin bearing Gil’s body up the steps of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. From atop of a hill in Holy Cross Cemetery a lone piper played Amazing Grace. Will stood next to Katie; he would not be going back to California.