Retired NYFD captain fights terror with speeches
By MARCELA ROJAS THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: May 9, 2003)
NEW CITY — Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, New York City Fire Chief Dan Daly was so angry at the loss of 50 of his friends that his first thought was to pick up a gun, he said.
"I decided to pick up a microphone instead," the Ossining resident told members of the New City Rotary Club this week.
Daly recounted his own efforts and those of fellow firefighters to rescue the living and recover the dead at Ground Zero. The slide presentation, which featured rarely seen photos taken by New York City Police Officer Vincent Caminara, was one of dozens Daly has given in the aftermath of 9/11.
"Giving these talks is part of my own healing process," Daly said, who retired from his post at Engine 52 in the Bronx last November. "There is value to keeping the lessons of 9/11 alive. In the 16 acres of devastation, there were a lot of stories of tragedy, but a lot of inspirational stories as well."
As part of its antiterrorism initiative, Daly was hired by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in March 2002 to speak to students, government leaders and civic groups throughout the world about his personal experiences in dealing with the terrorist attack on New York. He has traveled extensively throughout Latin America, including tours of Nicaragua, Venezuela, Paraguay and Brazil, giving speeches on the need for all nations to stand strong against terrorism. Daly's next scheduled stop is Tibet, he said.
"Over 80 nations lost people in the Trade Center attacks," he said. "This wasn't an attack against the U.S., but humanity. In my talks, I have found there to be a strong solidarity for the victims of 9/11 and Americans in general. It is important that all nations bond together in these times."
Etched in his memory are such tragic events as finding a woman's hand sticking out of the rubble, he said.
"There was a wedding band on her hand and that made it more real for me," said Daly, 54. "She had a husband. She may have had kids. She had a wedding ceremony. A life. This wasn't just a piece of flesh."
Other heartwrenching memories included attending 343 funerals, one for each of the New York City firefighters who lost their lives in the rescue efforts. He paused during the slide presentation at a photo of several firefighters carrying deceased Fire Department Chaplain Mychal Judge out of the wreckage.
"The most difficult was seeing a young boy or girl holding their father's helmet and knowing they would never come back," he said.
Equally as memorable were the lessons of teamwork, strength and compassion borne out of the tragedy, he said. Daly recalled working side by side with firefighters who came from Chicago to help out. He spoke of returning to the firehouse at 3 a.m. to find hundreds of lighted candles and bales of flowers left by 200 residents.
"It is said that New York City firefighters stood tall," he said. "But that pile would have never been moved if it weren't for the community."
Some Rotary Club members found Daly's presentation difficult to bear and left the luncheon. Most, however, stopped eating to view the sobering shots of dozens of people jumping out of the burning skyscrapers and others on the ground covered in blood and ashes.
"All those colors on the slides show the complete sacrifices these firefighters made," Rotary Club President Frank Borelli said. "It is a real honor to have Dan here and to share those experiences with us because everyone in some way has a connection to 9/11."
Daly's love of public speaking did not come easy, he said. Over a six-year period, he worked out his communication struggles with the Westchester Toastmasters in Harrison. Daly then began public speaking on behalf of the FDNY and later developed a public speaking program for firefighters, he said.
Two months after Sept. 11, Daly began speaking to local school children of his own volition.
"I saw how the school kids were taking a big hit with this," he said. "I wanted to show them that there is hope for this world."
The State Department caught wind of his work as a volunteer speaker and asked him to join their efforts in sharing with the world the tragedies and triumphs of 9/11.
Daly said he was moved to work for the U.S. government because of the deep loss he felt from losing his firefighter friends and because he wanted to take steps toward preventing another such tragedy.
"Capt. Daly connects with people throughout the world, at every level," said Patricia Harrison, assistant secretary for educational and cultural affairs. "His grace and eloquence in retelling the experience of a firefighter working at Ground Zero reached audiences in person and on TV and in print. The people of New York and the Fire Department of New York could not have had a better representative than Dan Daly."
Daly will speak at the Toastmasters 7444 at 12 p.m. Tuesday, at the New York Life Building, 27 E. 27th St. To attend, e-mail: jsimms@uwts.org.
Send e-mail to Marcela Rojas