A powerful new book about hero 9/11 first responders has been published, co-written by Irish author Charles Daly. The book, titled “I Will Follow You Anywhere – The True Story of the 9/11 Responders Who Took on Congress,” documents the battles 9/11 victims have faced in achieving justice. It was published just ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Co-author's Pride and Emotional Journey
John Feal, a responder who lost a foot during recovery work on 9/11 and needed 28 operations as surgeons fought to save his life, sat down with Daly to write the book. Daly, from Bantry, Co Cork, has spoken of his pride at working on the project with Feal.
He said: “There are no half-measures with John Feal. You’re either all-in, following him and his band of responders anywhere, or you have the good sense to get out of their way. Working that way as his co-author meant sharing their tears and laughter and anger.”
Personal Stories of Sacrifice
Daly described emotional moments during their work: “On the other side of hard won trust was a group of brave men and women whose gratitude for simply being heard brought me to tears many times. One responder timed our interview between rounds of chemo for throat cancer caused by 9/11 dust exposure.”
He added: “At the end of our call, he told me this was the longest he had been able to talk in a long time, and he apologised for his soft voice. I kept it together then, but wept when we hung up, overcome by my sense of honour to be trusted with his story.”
Feal used to take long showers to decompress after interviews, joking that the book was bad for his water bill. Daly recalled: “Other times, we’d get off a call, and I’d be sore from laughing over John’s genius for profanity and niche insults. He once told a politician on live TV: 'I hope your dog bites you and your wife divorces you.'”
Actor Steve Buscemi's Praise and Call to Action
Actor Steve Buscemi, who returned to his old fire station and worked with rescuers on 9/11, said: “In this powerful and inspirational book, John Feal expertly demonstrates what it means to be a leader, organiser and activist. Through fierce determination and relentless perseverance the Fealgood Foundation … and a devoted array of sick and dying first responders shows the true meaning of Never Forget.”
Feal has urged any Irish citizens who were in Lower Manhattan in 2001 to immediately contact the World Trade Center Health Programme, whether they were working on Wall Street, attending New York Fashion Week, or visiting as tourists.
He said: “Register with the programme - make a claim. If you don't want to do it, do it for your family. It's that simple. You know, don't make our work, don't make my 388 trips to Washington DC and my 2,400 plus meetings go to waste. Don't let it go in vain.”
Memorial Wall and Continuing Legacy
Feal was instrumental in getting a memorial wall to responders erected in a park on Long Island. On Saturday, another 345 names will be added. He said: “This park is a book, and it has so many pages. This book is not over until the last name is on the wall.”
The walls contain the names of not only uniformed first responders but also car mechanics, telephone company workers, forensic dentists, photographers, reporters and architects who worked or volunteered at Ground Zero. Feal said: “Everybody on there played a part in ensuring that New York was up and running again in a timely manner.”
