Saugus firefighters who visited Ground Zero reflect on 24th anniversary of attacks

By Tara Vocino

The 24th Anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks ceremony took a special meaning for some retired and current Saugus firefighters who traveled to New York City’s lower Manhattan following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Saugus resident and former Fire Chief James Blanchard, who was a captain at the time, went to the Twin Towers a month after the plane crashes. “We raised several thousand dollars for Stephen Gerard Siller, who died trying to save others,” Blanchard said. “It was a thrill to talk to his family, although both his parents had died, and it was very somber.”

According to Blanchard, the off-duty firefighter ran approximately 2 miles when the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel was closed in his effort to save others. His heroism inspired the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which hosts an annual 5K walk around that route.

Saugus Fire Captain Scott Phelan, who also traveled to NYC following the attacks, said it was indescribable to see the devastation. “The respect that the city had for firefighters is unmatched,” Phelan said. “It’s a very small thing to have done in comparison.”

Saugus Fire Lt. Damian Drella knew Firefighter Gerard Dewan, 35, who was originally from Boston but worked as a firefighter in New York. “I went down there this weekend to visit the museum and Ground Zero,” Drella said. “It’s a somber day for me.”

Saugus Fire Captain William Cross recalled his journey to the site, noting how big the area was. “It was sobering to see all of the signs and posters that people posted throughout the city looking for their loved ones,” Cross said. “But I still go back to thinking of the firefighters that knew they were probably not going to make it out and they went in anyway.”

It’s estimated they saved more than 25,000 people before the collapse — the largest rescue effort in history.