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| Cochranville firefighter Ron Christman, left, and retired New York firefighter James Thompson, right, unveil the memorial plaque and chunk of the World Trade Center at a ceremony in Cochranville on Thursday. Both men responded to the attack on Sept. 11, 2001. Staff photo provided by Southern Chester County Weeklies |
This from the Avon Grove Sun:
A firefighter who was trapped in Tower No. 2 of the World Trade Center
for two days unveiled a piece of the crumbled remains at a ceremony in
Cochranville on Thursday night.
James Thompson, 54, of Cochranville was a member of Fire Company 13 in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 when they received the call to respond.
James Thompson, 54, of Cochranville was a member of Fire Company 13 in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 when they received the call to respond.
In
the midst of the rescue efforts, the building collapsed around him and
he had only his own equipment to find a way out. He said he was inside
for more than two days and was forced to cut and leverage debris finally
to get free. He called it a “self-rescue.”
His wife, Irene, said waiting and not knowing was the most harrowing time of her life.
Thompson now lives in Cochranville, retired from the fire service and unable to perform those duties because of injuries and illnesses he suffered in the event, including pulmonary fibrosis.
This week Thompson and fellow firefighter Ron Christman stood before about 100 spectators at the Cochranville Fire Company on Route 10 and pulled the veils off a plaque honoring all fallen responders to 9/11 and a chunk of 120 pound chunk of the building. Both items are now securely and permanently on display in front of the firehouse.
His wife, Irene, said waiting and not knowing was the most harrowing time of her life.
Thompson now lives in Cochranville, retired from the fire service and unable to perform those duties because of injuries and illnesses he suffered in the event, including pulmonary fibrosis.
This week Thompson and fellow firefighter Ron Christman stood before about 100 spectators at the Cochranville Fire Company on Route 10 and pulled the veils off a plaque honoring all fallen responders to 9/11 and a chunk of 120 pound chunk of the building. Both items are now securely and permanently on display in front of the firehouse.
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