“A photo that makes me proud to be an American. With the Stars and Stripes leading the way, firemen push up a steep mud- and wire-filled incline to bring a civilian home. On the left side of the photograph, a fireman grasps his brother’s hand as he tries to get his footing.” (p. 63

“FDNY Chief Steve Zaderiko, eyes closed and head bowed, holds out his handy talky for a chaplain who says a prayer for one of several civilians found on a busy spring day at Ground Zero. Chief Zaderiko was one of many firemen who would come down to the hole to help as soon as they finished work on their regular FDNY shifts.” (p. 68)

“I stood there amazed during the recovery of a civilian in March 2002 when a swarm of firemen, big in stature and even bigger in heart, acted gently and with great care as they tucked the American flag around a WTC hero.” (p. 120)

“Moments after a call comes through our handy talky receivers, fireman swarm around the body of a civilian and plan the best way to make the recovery.” (p. 79)