Red Cross Volunteers Remember 9/11, 10 Years Later

It was one of the worst days in American history, but it also brought out the best in American spirit.

For Red Cross responders, the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, will never be forgotten.

“It feels like yesterday,” said Lee Roman. “I still get very tearful thinking about it and looking at it.”

Ten years ago Roman and Carol Clark responded to the disaster.

“I led a team of caseworkers to help families of people killed in the buildings and on the planes,” said Roman.

“It was horrifying, everybody had a story and those stories needed to be told and they were told to us,” she said.

Clark worked at a service center six blocks away from ground zero and also interviewed people affected by the disaster.

“The people I interviewed how they were just a minute late doing something or changed their mind about doing something and they were saved that day,” said Clark.

She recalled the first time she saw ground zero.

“We saw all ambulances come out of ground zero, and that is when they found the remaining firefighters. That for me was very, very traumatic, and all you could do was stand there and cry,” she said.

More than 50,000 Red Cross volunteers responded to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. It was the largest mobilization of volunteers for a disaster relief operation, said Red Cross officials.

“I think we’re really fortunate to be able to do what we do, it’s very gratifying work,” said Roman.

It?s work that Roman said would never be forgotten. She said the memories that will last a lifetime.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have, Red Cross is there if you are in trouble,” she said.

For more information on how to become a Red Cross volunteer, visit www.coloradoredcross.com.