Posted at: 11/01/2012 10:48 PM
Updated at: 11/02/2012 11:27 AM
By: Steph Crock
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Email to a Friend9/11 Firefighter Honored in North Iowa
(ABC 6 News) -- Over 80 people have been killed from Hurricane Sandy. A devastation to the east coast, and something New York City sadly, isn't a stranger to. Our team spoke with someone who was out there, on 9/11.
"My town in Staten Island, we have over 20 people missing and confirmed dead," said former firefighter Warren "Woody" Forsyth. He shares his concerns for his hometown and for all the emergency responders out there. "The guys are just going to have to get the job done no matter what, and work these feverish hours, and work hard, and that’s it," said Woody.
Knowing exactly what it's like to respond to a massive disaster, Woody was a firefighter in New York City on 9/11. "I was out on the golf course that morning and we witnessed the Trade Center get struck by an airplane, so we all rushed down to the firehouse and we witnessed another airplane hit the Trade Center," said Woody.
He says through all of the chaos, there was no room for panic. "It was beyond belief what happened that day. There was so much going on, between people jumping to their deaths and pieces of the building collapsing," said Woody.
He put his life on the line like so many that day. "We're not American heroes, the soldiers are now, and we're out here to support this outdoor project with the soldiers this week," said Woody.
"Because of 9/11, that's why a lot of our vets are overseas today," said Randy Evans with the Purple Heart Tour. That's what brings Woody to North Iowa, for the Purple Heart Tour. "We bring 6 wounded and still active veterans up to Iowa. This year we’re blessed by having a firefighter from 9/11, that actually served on 9/11," said Evans.
The group was escorted through the area and the community was happy to show their support. "We came to support 9/11, the firefighters from New York," said Joe Field while waving at the fire trucks passing through Charles City.
There's no doubt, it was a greeting that'll stick. "I haven't been to Iowa, but I’m starting to like it!" laughed Woody.
Another New York City Firefighter was supposed to be here this weekend, but is stuck out east from Hurricane Sandy.
A piece of the Twin Towers was also going to be donated to the Floyd Fire Department this weekend, that also couldn’t be transported here because of the storm.
