Iranian President accuses US of 9/11 Cover Up

Delegations walk out during Ahmadinejad UN speech
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has used an address to the UN General Assembly to criticise the US killing of Osama Bin Laden as a 9/11 cover-up.

His remarks prompted a walkout by diplomats from more than 30 countries, including the US and EU nations.

Mr Ahmadinejad was widely condemned after his speech, during which he also attacked the West, denounced Israel and questioned the Holocaust.

The address came a day ahead of a Palestinian bid for UN membership.

Mr Ahmadinejad's controversial rhetoric - and the resulting mass walkout - has become almost a staple of the General Assembly's meetings.

'Message of hostility'
During Thursday's address he accused Western nations of "weakening countries through military intervention and destroying their infrastructures, in order to plunder their resources by making them all the more dependent".

The Iranian leader also railed against Bin Laden's death, saying the US had "killed the main perpetrator [of 9/11] and threw his body into the sea".


Hundreds of people protested against President Ahmadinejad's appearance outside the UN He added: "Would it not have been reasonable to bring to justice and openly bring to trial the main perpetrator of the incident in order to identify the elements behind the safe space provided for the invading aircraft to attack the twin World Trade Center towers".

White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One that he "found it rich" that Mr Ahmadinejad would criticise US policy, and accused Tehran of "vile mistreatment" of its own citizens.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron used his speech to the UN to hit back at Iran.

"They do everything they can to avoid the accountability of a free media," he said. "They violently prevent demonstrations and, yes, they detain and torture those who argue for a better future."

Hundreds of people protested against the Iranian leader's appearance at the UN meeting in New York.

Across from the UN headquarters, there were huge banners, one of which read, "Down With the Islamic Republic of Iran", while children stamped on a poster of Mr Ahmadinejad.

The foreign ministry of Israel, which boycotted the speech, said in a statement: "Once again the Iranian president delivered a message of hostility to the family of nations, threatening world peace and security."

On Friday the UN Security Council is expected to examine a bid to admit the Palestinians as a partial or full member of the UN.

The US has vowed to veto the request, which is also firmly opposed by Israel.

US President Barack Obama has said there can be "no short-cut" to a negotiated peace deal in the Middle East.


bbc news

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15028776

9/11 first responders honored at Sherwood Island ceremony

By Bonnie Adler


With the sound of bagpipes heralding the call to order, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other officials from Connecticut and New York City gathered at Sherwood Island State Park Wednesday to remember those who perished in the 9/11 attacks and to pay tribute to those Connecticut first responders who risked their lives to help in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.

Firefighters, policemen and emergency personnel from around the state came to participate in an hour-long tribute, in which the efforts made by first responders around the state were highlighted and commemorated.

Malloy recalled the 156 Connecticut residents who perished in the attacks, and the 343 NYC firefighters (37 Port Authority Police officers, 23 NYPD officers and three court officers) who died in the towers that day, and highlighted the commitment of the first responders and volunteers who went to New York City to do what they could to help their fellow first responders with no regard for their own safety. He recalled the spirit which drove so many Connecticut first responders to help and said, “These are individuals who were not paid to go, not required to do so, but in every case volunteered to respond from our state to help others.”

He added, “We mark that response, that desire to go and be part of that recovery which is so great and so uniquely American.”

David Fein, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, extended his deepest gratitude to Connecticut’s first responders on the day of the event and the days, weeks and months that followed.

“You did not hesitate to act in the face of horrific devestation, you did what comes naturally to you. You leapt into action, not deterred by danger. You overcame obstacles and moved toward, not away from, the devastation with only one purpose in mind- to help others,” he said.

Noting the beautiful new metal sculpture on a nearby wall commemorating those who died in the attacks, Fein added, “We are here at Connecticut’s 9/11 Living Memorial to say thank you for what you did 10 years ago and what you continue to do today.”

Perhaps most poignant was Bonnie McEneaney, the wife of Eamon McEneaney, who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th Floor of the North Tower, and perished that day. Bonnie McEneaney represents Voices of 911, which collects and shares information about all of those who died that day. She has since written a book called “Messages,” a compilation of true stories of the spiritual experiences and premonitions of loved ones lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

She asked, “Who is a first responder? You are ‘first preventers’ as well as first responders. You are the heartbeat of this great nation.”

She said many first responders had been exposed to toxic dust, and many had developed debilitating diseases as a result. “Indeed, she said, “One thousand of you have died. You put the needs of others before your own. Thank you for altruism unsurpassed.” Continued

http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2011/09/14/westport/news/doc4e714e4feb205884374292.txt

Brotherhood Ride Honors 9/11 First Responders

By Cristin Wilson

September 15, 2011 - 12:00am

Brotherhood Ride honors 9/11 first responders, visits Southside
Firefighter Nick Ford chose to leave his family in Naples for three weeks to hit the road on a bicycle as part of a 1,600-mile journey to honor fallen heroes of Sept. 11, 2001.

When the fourth annual Brotherhood Ride stopped in Jacksonville last month, Ford caught his breath and easily explained why he and other firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical technicians signed on.

"What we're going through over these 22 days is really small compared to the families of those 411 killed that day. They gave everything. We just gave a little," said Ford.


The ride is dedicated to the 411 first responders who lost their lives 10 years ago during the terrorist attack on New York City. Brotherhood Ride founder Jeff Morse, who dedicated the first three rides to other firefighters and police who died in the line of duty across the country, wanted to make sure the legacy of those who lost their lives wouldn't be forgotten. It was important to do something more than just write a check, he said.

"I wanted some way to show the families we'd never forget," said Morse.

The 2011 ride began in North Naples on Aug. 20 and ended at ground zero in New York City on Saturday, with riders meeting with local firefighters and police along the way. Proceeds from fundraisers in the Naples-Fort Myers area will go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Concerns of Police Survivors.

When the 39 riders got to Jacksonville Aug. 24, they and their support staff stopped at the Southside Elks Lodge for a welcome ceremony, dinner, overnight lodging and breakfast the next morning.

Firefighter Scott Wilson, also of Naples, didn't even have a bike when he decided to be a part of the ride. But he said he did not view his participation as much of a stretch, considering he is used to braving high temperatures - and with a lot more clothes on than the typical cycling gear.

Being part of the ride, he said, "is a big honor."

Wilson said the public response along the route was touching, with communities rallying around them. At one of their stops, a woman did all of their laundry, even folding their clothes, he said.

Firefighter Todd Neal, who works for the Broward County Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue, agreed.

"The response we've got, it's just been amazing," he said.

Dick Maloney, public relations chairman for the Southside Elks, said the visit was the second the club has hosted for the Brotherhood Ride. The club provided pasta dinners - with homemade "red gravy" - sleeping accommodations and sendoff breakfast, while Jacksonville firefighters provided onsite shower facilities, he said.

The Elks were just as touched by the experience as the riders.

"The emotions were unbelievable. As the bicycle riders approached our lodge, after a complete day's ride, with motorcycle police escort, not to mention our firefighters' participation, the crowd's applause was heartbreaking. Their support staff was genuinely surprised with the reception," Maloney said.

The ride coordinator told Maloney that the club's preparation "greatly exemplifies the importance of 9/11, and displays in full, the great generosity of the Elks organization," he said.

For more information, go to brotherhoodride.com.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/community/southside/2011-09-15/story/brotherhood-ride-honors-911-first-responders-visits-southside#ixzz1Y4t8P4hQ

First responders of 9/11 attacks may get annual ticker tape parade

A Queens woman is one step closer to realizing her dream of seeing a ticker tape parade in lower Manhattan to honor 9/11 first responders.

The WTC Redevelopment Committee of Manhattan Community Board 1 last night approved Jill Singer's idea in a 6-0 vote, with one member abstaining. Singer still needs an NYPD permit and approval from Mayor Bloomberg's office, she said.

"I'm elated," Singer said. "The mayor's office has been talking about doing some remembrance for responders for a while now. Now we're going to go tell them, 'Let's get it done.'"

Singer, 44, of Forest Hills, has been a first responders' activist for a decade and said she became incensed upon learning responders weren't invited to be part of the opening of the 9/11 memorial.

"It's just such a slap in the face," Singer said. "If it wasn't for those responders there would be no memorial site. It wouldn't be cleaned up."

Singer wants the parade to take place the week of May 25 next year, marking a decade since the last piece of steel was removed from the attack site.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/09/13/2011-09-13_1st_responders_may_bathe_in_ticker_tape.html?r=ny_local&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nydnrss%2Fny_local+%28NY+Local%29

Facebook Group Promotes Ticker Tape Parade for 9/11 First Responders.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/228685730516543/

LOWER MANHATTAN — The first responders who risked their lives on 9/11 deserve a ticker-tape parade through lower Manhattan's Canyon of Heroes, advocates said this week.

A parade would boost the spirits of responders who were left out of the city's official 9/11 commemoration, and it would give those who are sick something to looking forward to, said TJ Gilmartin, a construction worker who spent nearly 300 hours at Ground Zero.

"All we want is a 'Thank you' — that's it," said Gilmartin, 50, a New Jersey resident who is suffering from respiratory ailments and acid reflux following his exposure to World Trade Center toxins.

"No one seems to care about the responders."

A Facebook group in favor of the parade has gathered nearly 1,100 members, and on Monday night, Community Board 1's World Trade Center Redevelopment Committee added its vote of support as well. Now the parade has to clear the mayor's office before it can become a reality.

A spokesman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not immediately return a call for comment.

Gilmartin has been planning the parade with the help of Jill Singer, an advocate for first responders, and said Monday that they hope to hold it during the week of May 25, 2012, the 10 year anniversary of when the last steel beam was removed from Ground Zero.

Singer said the parade would not just be for the NYPD and FDNY, whose members are often recognized, but also for the thousands of ironworkers, heavy machine operators and other construction workers who volunteered for the recovery effort, and many of which are now sick.

"It's the people who went down there and just put their heart on the line," Singer said. "They've been ignored."

Catherine McVay Hughes, chairwoman of the committee, said that while ticker-tape parades are often reserved for triumphant sports teams, it's important to remember why the Broadway parade route is referred to as the "Canyon of Heroes."

"There should be a 'thank you' for the real heroes, who were down on the front lines and came to our war zone," she said.

RELATED CONTENT

Queens Woman Pitches Ticker Tape Parade For 9/11 First Responders

By ERICA PITZI

PIX11.com

12:07 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2011
QUEENS, N.Y. (WPIX)— If one woman gets her way, there will be a ticker tape parade right along Broadway at the Canyon of Heros, for the first responders of 9/11.

The day would be May 25, 2012 -- marking 10 years after the last piece of steel was removed from Ground Zero.

"They didn't think about if they were going to live or die, they are the reason that area exists in the beautiful way it exists today," said Jill Singer.

This confident Queens woman committed to bringing the community together to show gratitude for the first responders.

Singer says the idea came to her while watching a Yankee game last month. She remembers attending the ticker tape parade when the Yanks won the World Series two years ago.

"They are called heros, 9/11 responders are called heros, why can't the city say thank you through a ticker tape parade?" asked Singer.

So she pitched her idea to Community Board 1 this week and it passed. World Trade Center Committee Chair Catherine McVay Hughes voted in favor.

"I've lived here for two decades, over looking other ticker tapes for sport championships," said Hughes. "But it's about time, we actually have a ticker tape parade for our real heros."

Real heros like TJ Gilmartin, Singer's boyfriend, whom she met last year, while fighting for first responders rights in Washington.

Gilmartin spent two straight weeks working on the rubble of the World Trace Center and welcomes the idea of a parade.

"It would lift the spirits. Nobody is asking for any money, just a thank you," said Gilmartin. "The greatest city in the world can't say thank you to the guys who ran in, meanwhile everybody else ran out?"

Mayor Michael Bloomberg still has to give his nod of approval, and NYPD has to approve a parade permit.
http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-911-ticker-tape-parade,0,5197099.story

9/11 responders honored at Westport ceremony

Bonnie McEneaney reached the depths of despair on Sept. 11, 2001. Her husband, Eamon, was a vice president of Cantor Fitzgerald, the bond trading firm that lost hundreds of employees in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.


Updated 11:03 a.m., Thursday, September 15, 2011


The swift response from thousands of emergency workers renewed her sense of hope, she said.

"When I think of the role you played, I think of love," McEneaney told dozens of police officers, firefighters and paramedics from departments across Connecticut on Wednesday evening at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. "Instead of despair, I think of hope."

Three days after the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, dozens of first responders and volunteers gathered under the pavilion at the waterfront park, which overlooks Long Island Sound and the state's memorial for victims of the attacks.

The Connecticut U.S. Attorney's Office, the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the victim outreach group Voices of September 11th hosted the ceremony as a show of gratitude for emergency workers who rushed to the rubble of ground zero a decade ago.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told the crowd, mainly first responders in full dress uniforms, that the nation's sense of volunteerism and community sets it apart from other nations. He said the first responders and volunteers who traveled to the remains of the World Trade Center embody that spirit.

Malloy, who was mayor of Stamford when the planes hit the World Trade Center, recalled how city firefighters and police officers approached him shortly after Sept. 11 and asked for permission to work at ground zero. He said while the terrorist attacks changed emergency communications, response tactics and equipment over the past several years, they did not alter the American will to rebuild or recover.

"No terrorist, no war, no set of circumstances can deny that," he said.

David Fein, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, opened the ceremony by offering effusive thanks to the state's emergency responders.

"In the hours and days after the attacks, most Americans sought solace within the safety of their homes," Fein said. "You, our first responders and volunteers, did not hesitate to act."

The ceremonies began with State Police Trooper Pat Whalen playing a somber song on the bagpipes, and it ended just as solemnly, with a slow rendition of taps. John Hughes, chief of the civil division of the Connecticut U.S. Attorney's Office, was one of the event's organizers.

"On the 10th anniversary, we wanted to do something special," Hughes said before the ceremony. "We wanted something unique and special for first responders as a way of saying thank you."

Other speakers included Reuben Bradford, the state commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; Andrew Savino, a deputy chief in the New York City Police Department's counterterrorism unit, and Paul McConnell, an assistant U.S. attorney and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Paul Aaronson, a member of the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps, spoke about the call his paramedic department got in the days after Sept. 11 to help relieve the exhausted New York City emergency workers at ground zero. He also spoke about the anger and frustration felt by many first responders on Sept. 11 when survivors could not be found amid the destruction.

"We wished we could have done more," he said
http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Hope-not-despair-9-11-responders-honored-at-2171771.php

Flight 93 Heroes Honored on 9/11 at Shanksville

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — The families of the 40 passengers and crew killed when Flight 93 knifed into a rural Pennsylvania field a decade ago Sunday were praised for helping to inspire a new generation of Americans while keeping the memories of their loved ones' dedication and courage burning brightly.

At a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, nearly 5,000 people listened as the names of the passengers and crew who were killed were read aloud while bells tolled. Afterward, a choir sang as those in the crowd — including family members, first responders, politicians and nearly 1,000 people who came to participate — listened intently.

"Over the past 10 years we have heard this place compared to many other places" including the Alamo and Gettysburg, Gov. Tom Corbett said at the newly dedicated national park that marks the site where Flight 93 crashed. "But the truth is that this place is like no other because the deeds aboard Flight 93 were like no other."

Corbett said the victims "charted a new course, set a new standard for American bravery."

Sunday's memorial service at the Flight 93 Memorial, about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, was being held in concert with ceremonies in New York City and Washington, D.C., where other hijacked jets crashed into both towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Former Gov. Tom Ridge, the nation's first head of homeland security, thanked the approximately 2,000 people who came to the memorial for Sunday's service.

"I think your presence today means almost as much to the families, perhaps as much as the memorial itself," Ridge said. "Your very presence is a powerful message of comfort and understanding and love."

The families then turned and gave the visitors a standing ovation.

Ridge went on to pay tribute to the victims, saying their actions prove "Americans don't live in fear, we live in freedom"

Gordon Felt, brother of passenger Edward and president of the Families of Flight 93, directed some of his comments to the relatives of the other victims.

"I only wish I could have gotten to know each and every one of you under different circumstances," he said. "We lost too much."

Visitors to the Flight 93 service observed moments of silence at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m. — the times when two other airliners were crashed into New York's twin towers. They did the same at 9:37 a.m., when a third airliner hit the Pentagon.

There was no moment of silence at 10:03 a.m. at the memorial, but the emotion there was evident.

Susan Stine, 52, of Tamaqua, Pa., said she has come to the Flight 93 crash site to mark the anniversary each year.

"Everybody was going to New York for the first anniversary and we came here. I can't imagine not being here on 9/11," Stine said.

"The first time, I wanted to come here to see how it was, and it was amazing. I feel differently when I leave here every year," she said. "I feel better in my heart."

U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-Pa, choked up as he spoke about the Wall of Names, a series of 40 marble slabs inscribed with the names of the victims.

Told that the pattern of the wall delineates the flight path of the jet before it crashed, Critz said, "Ten years of emotion came rushing in."

The passengers aboard Flight 93 were hijacked after taking off from New Jersey.

Flight 93 crashed after passengers and crew, some alerted by cell phone calls from loved ones about the New York attacks, decided to try to wrest control of their plane from four hijackers.

The plane crashed during the struggle, and investigators later determined the hijackers intended to crash it into the Capitol in Washington, D.C., where the House and Senate were in session that morning.

On the Net:
■Flight 93 National Memorial: http://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4wMJGEzTVFgAo1qf6P_RityAwag?docId=94b045f27284409c8954834a5c97241a

Fallen Firefighter Heroes Honored at St. Patrick Cathedral

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

A tear-soaked crowd thronged St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday to pay tribute to the 343 members of the FDNY who died at the World Trade Center - heroes who never flinched as they ran toward unthinkable danger.

The decade that has passed since the Fire Department's darkest day has done nothing to dull the memories of those lost, according to the speakers at the emotional afternoon service.

"This is an awfully tough week for the FDNY," said Mayor Bloomberg. "It's an awfully tough week for all of us."

"The emotions keep rushing back along with so many memories and so many stories," Bloomberg said. "We'll remember the brave 343. We'll honor them. We salute them."

An image of each firefighter killed that fateful morning was flashed on a video screen on the altar as their loved ones dabbed at tears.

"I really wish I could have met you," said 9-year-old Patrick Lyons, born just weeks after the death of his firefighter father, who shared his name.

"As I get older, everyone says I walk like you," said Patrick, who read a letter to his dad. "I play flag football like you did, and I play the same position you did, quarterback."

An honor guard of firefighters carrying American flags solemnly filed down the aisle at St. Patrick's to begin the memorial service, presided over by Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano, who was nearly killed during the attacks, spoke movingly about how the FDNY has honored those lost a decade ago.

"Out of the depths of this tragedy, we rebuilt the greatest fire department in the world," said Cassano.

The challenges for the FDNY did not end in the moments after the towers fell, killing the 343 Bravest and many of the department's top leaders.

Hundreds of firefighters worked for weeks at the smoldering World Trade Center site, and the exposure to the toxins has killed 55 FDNY members - and made scores more ill. "The world may have called them 'Brave,'" said Cassano, "but we called it doing our job."

Hundreds of firefighters packed the midtown house of worship, and dozens more - many from departments around the globe - stood outside to pay their respects.

"We're here to show our support for our brothers in New York," said Steve Joudrey, 52, of London, Ontario.

Amid prayers that no one be harmed during the 10th anniversary of the attacks, a hushed silence fell over the crowd as Ashley Fodor remembered her slain father, Michael.

"To us, Dad was untouchable, a constant in our lives," she said, "but he was taken away, lost in a city he loved, buried under buildings he had admired, doing his job with honor and vigor."

The children of firefighters who were killed then each lit a candle to conclude the Mass, moments before the bagpipes blared and the flags marched out of the cathedral again.

"That roll call, my friends, is nothing less than a litany of saints," said Dolan.

"Those firefighters were and you firefighters are what the Bible calls prophets. You go against everything that degrades human life.

Later yesterday, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly attended a memorial service honoring slain officers at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. "We know that the city, the world, owes you a debt that we can never repay," Kelly said.

With Clare Trapasso

jlemire@nydailynews.com
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/09/10/2011-09-10_343_stars_still_shining_fallen_bravest_honored_during_st_pats_mass.html

Next Terrorist Attack Could Be Nuclear or Biological

Police Search Trucks in New York City on Terror Threat

New York police increased security, including vehicle checkpoints in midtown Manhattan and armed guards in front of the Office of Emergency Management, after receiving credible information that terrorists may be plotting an attack in the city around the Sept. 11 anniversary.

Police cruisers took up positions on a midtown block of Lexington Avenue this morning as officers stopped trucks and other vehicles for inspection. Drivers were made to open the storage spaces of delivery trucks for police. In Brooklyn, U.S. marshals armed with machine guns guarded the federal courthouse and increased security was observed in front of the nearby city emergency management office.

“We have already had a full complement of people working shifts because of the Sept. 11 anniversary prior to this,” said Jim Margolin, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York office. “We are taking the logical investigative measures to assess this threat.”

The threat concerns a possible al-Qaeda-sponsored attack targeting New York or Washington on or near the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack, said a U.S. official, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The official said the intelligence concerns a possible vehicle-borne attack, perhaps on a transportation hub or bottleneck, and cautioned that the options may be broader than a car or truck bombing.

Interest in Anniversaries
“As we know from the intelligence gathered from the Osama bin Laden raid, al-Qaeda has shown an interest in important dates and anniversaries, such as 9/11,” Janice Fedarcyk, the FBI’s assistant director in charge of the New York office, said at a press conference yesterday. “In this instance, it’s accurate that there is specific, credible but unconfirmed information. We take all threats reported seriously and have taken and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate all threats as they arise.”

New Jersey’s Director of Homeland Security Charles McKenna said the threat involves two foreigners traveling into the U.S., where they may join a third party who is already here to carry out the attack. McKenna said New Jersey officials are concerned that as New York and Washington are “hardened targets,” the would-be attackers may turn to New Jersey as a back-up option.

McKenna said the state has increased security, though he declined to specify what steps have been taken.

No Surprise
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, speaking at a meeting of administration officials in Princeton, said people should not alter their plans and lives.

“This is nothing that should come to folks as any surprise nor is it something that should cause any panic,” Christie said. “The fact is that we live in a different world.”

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airliners. Two were flown into the twin World Trade Center towers in New York, destroying them; a third hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia; and one crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attacked the hijackers. More than 3,000 people were killed.

New York police have stopped at least 13 terrorist attacks since 2001, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. While the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has helped reduce the threat, the mayor said, “The one thing we know is the terrorists have not gone away.”

Foiled Plot
In February 2010, Colorado resident Najibullah Zazi pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to a plot to detonate bombs on New York subways around the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The Brooklyn federal courthouse has supplemented its usual security, said James Elcik, supervisor deputy U.S. marshal.

“We’re here to protect the building, and more importantly the people in it around the anniversary of 9/11 given the non- specific threat,” Elcik said, standing next to an armed guard on Adams Street, where tourists and bicyclists entered the pedestrian path over Brooklyn Bridge.

Elcik said it hadn’t been decided whether the extra security would also be in place Monday and throughout next week.

“The safety of our federal judiciary and security in the U.S. courthouses continue to be a top priority of the U.S. Marshals Service,” said Roland Ubaldo, a spokesman for Joseph Guccione, the U.S. Marshal of the Southern District of New York. “We take all threats reported seriously and we have taken and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise.”

Police Stand Guard
At the subway station in the Port Authority bus terminal at 42nd Street, two police officers stood guard at the turnstiles while two others patrolled the platform. Police officers in a group of four stood on the platform at Broadway and Murray streets in Lower Manhattan giving directions to tourists making their way to and from Ground Zero four blocks south.

“We have threats all the time,” Bloomberg said today during his weekly appearance on WOR radio, after having taken the subway to City Hall from his Upper East Side home. “Each time we increase our security, which obviously we had done for this. Are we increasing a little more? Yes, we’re increasing a little more but there’s a limit to how much you can have, just because you can’t have a cop on every corner. But remember, a lot of the precautions we take, you don’t see.”

Specific Threat
New York Republican Congressman Peter King, who heads the House Homeland Security Committee, said he was briefed on the threat, which he said was specific and credible.

“All appropriate agencies, the federal government, and state officials and local officials as well, are tracking it down to see if it is real, and if so, how do we stop it,” King said.

Another intelligence official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the information hasn’t been fully vetted.

Terrorists view the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks as an opportunity to strike again, the FBI’s Fedarcyk said.

The information of a new plot was specific and credible, though not corroborated, she said at a press conference yesterday with Bloomberg.

In the Washington metropolitan area today, Montgomery County, Maryland, police patrolled the Silver Spring and Forest Glen Metro platforms, north of the city.

Extend Shifts
New York police officers will extend their shifts by four hours at least through Sept. 12, said Commissioner Ray Kelly. Police will increase vehicle checks and monitoring of bridges and tunnels, Kelly said. Police will also increase baggage screenings in subways, patrol outside places of worship and government buildings and conduct bomb sweeps of public garages.

“We will deploy quick-reaction teams consisting of heavily armored officers,” Kelly said.

“Sky Watch” towers will be manned, license plate readers monitored and all manhole covers inspected and sealed. City landmarks, including Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station, will have heightened security as well as other major events Sunday, including the U.S. Open tennis tournament in Queens.

A heavily guarded “frozen zone” is being created from West Street to Broadway and Murray to Albany streets in Lower Manhattan. Several streets in the area will be closed during the weekend, including northbound West Street from Battery Place to Murray Street and southbound West Street from Battery Place to Chambers Street. Church Street between Rector and Barclay streets will be closed 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Bomb Technicians
To assist the police, the FBI will mobilize specialized teams, including special agents, bomb technicians and SWAT and hazardous materials crews.

Richard Adamonis, a NYSE Euronext spokesman, declined to comment on security measure for the stock exchange on Wall Street.

President Barack Obama, who is scheduled to attend ceremonies at Ground Zero on Sept. 11 with former President George W. Bush, was briefed on the threat today by National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan, and Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough before leaving for a speech in Richmond, Virginia, White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

Obama directed counter-terrorism officials to redouble their efforts, which had already been increased in advance of the Sept. 11 anniversary, Carney said.

The first intelligence official said the report is credible largely because of al-Qaeda’s longstanding interest in important anniversaries and symbolic targets.

Intense Focus
“Sometimes this reporting is credible and warrants intense focus,” Matt Chandler, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesman, said in a statement. “Other times it lacks credibility and is highly unlikely to be reflective of real plots under way.”

“Regardless, we take all threat reporting seriously, and we have taken, and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise,” Chandler said.

Attorney General Eric Holder said in May that intelligence retrieved from the compound in Pakistan where bin Laden was killed suggested that he wanted to harm people around the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The mayor is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.

To contact the reporters on this story: Henry Goldman in New York at hgoldman@bloomberg.net; Tiffany Kary in Brooklyn at tkary@bloomberg.net; Patricia Hurtado in New York pathurado@bloomberg.net.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-09/-credible-terrorist-threats-received-new-york-mayor-bloomberg-says.html
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Mark Tannenbaum at mtannen@bloomberg.net; Michael Hytha mhytha@bloomberg.net

Missing trucks possible lead in terror plot

U.S. security officials warn of 'specific and credible' threat of 9/11 anniversary terrorist attack by al QaedaBy Daily Mail Reporter


Federal officials say the individuals - one believed to be a U.S. citizen - entered the country last month by air with 'intent' to carry out a terrorist plot against Washington, D.C. or New York.
Reports suggest the potential plot is connected to al Qaeda.
According to ABC News, The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed that they have evidence of a 'specific and credible threat' of terror attacks planned for September 11.
Investigators said the trio were suspected of planning to launch a 'vehicle-borne' attack against New York and Washington, D.C. - the two American cities targeted by the hijacked airliners that crashed into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon ten years ago
An unnamed official said: 'It seems like the information has been worked for a while.'
Law enforcement sources told reporters the individuals are belived to have come to the U.S. via Afghanistan with at lease one stop in another country, possibly Iran.

An official said at least two rental trucks were being sought nationwide.


Two GMC trucks - one from Budget and one from Penske - both were missing from locations in Kansas City, Missouri at press time. However, reports do not indicate if the search for the missing vehicles is connected to the possible terror threat. A White House official told ABC: 'The President was briefed on this specific threat information this morning and has been updated on it throughout the day.

'The United States government has already significantly enhanced its security posture in advance of the 9/11 anniversary to protect the country against possible terrorist threats.

'Nevertheless, the President directed the counterterrorism community to redouble its efforts in response to this credible but unconfirmed information.'

Law enforcement officials are expected to release a declassified bulletin on the information connected to the possible threat this evening.

Authorities had not raised the national threat level at press time.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was planning a press conference to give further details of the alleged plot
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2035207/U-S-security-officials-warn-specific-credible-threat-9-11-anniversary-terrorist-attack-al-Qaeda.html

Alert -Breaking News- 'Credible' Terrorist Threat

Federal authorities are investigating a possible terrorist threat to the United States, just days before the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to Fox News.

ABC News has more details. Intelligence officials told ABC that three individuals entered the country with the intent of launching a 'vehicle-borne attack' against New York or Washington D.C., around the anniversary of 9/11.

The suspected terrorists may have originated from Afghanistan, according to a senior official.

The threat -- described as “specific" and "credible" -- has not yet been confirmed, reports NBC.

A senior administration official also told Fox that President Obama has been briefed on the threat. Some members of Congress have also been briefed on the unconfirmed threat, reports CNN.

According to NBC, who spoke with two U.S. officials, discussions are under way about whether the threat warning status should be raised.

More from HuffPost reporter Andrea Stone:

Matthew Chandler, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed to The Huffington Post that there is a "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat" of an attack on 9/11.
Based on intelligence gathered from the Osama bin Laden) raid in May, al Qaeda "has shown an interest in important dates and anniversaries, such as 9/11," he said. "As we always do before important dates like the anniversary of 9/11, we will undoubtedly get more reporting in the coming days. Sometimes this reporting is credible and warrants intense focus, other times it lacks credibility and is highly unlikely to be reflective of real plots underway.

"Regardless, we take all threat reporting seriously, and we have taken, and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise. We continue to ask the American people to remain vigilant as we head into the weekend.”


www.huffingtonpost.com

Schedule of anniversary events New York City

New York City is beginning preparations for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The events of 9/11 forever changed New York City, and thousands are expected to come to lower Manhattan and elsewhere on Sept. 11 to pay their respects.

It is recommended that the public visiting this weekend use public transportation due to the high volumes of people expected to be in lower Manhattan. Give additional time for any commute in NYC as their will be high security and street closures. For a full list of street closures visit the NYC Department of Transportation website.

New York City will honor those lost in both September 11 and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing with events around the city including art exhibits, church services, and walking tours.

9/11 Remembrance Events
The New -York Historical Society will feature a special exhibition of photographs by both professional and amateur photographers. The exhibit begins on September 8 and is free and open to the public until Nov. 10, 2011.

Tribute WTC Tour:

This Tribute WTC Visitor Center will only be open to family members of victims on September 11. Before and after that date, the public will get an opportunity to connect and hear stories of those affected by 9/11 on a walking tour. The center is located on 120 Liberty St.

FDNY 10th Anniversary Memorial Service:

The New York City Fire Department will hold a memorial service on September 10, 2011 beginning at 2:00 PM at St. Patrick's Cathedral. At 1:00 p.m., active and retired fire fighters will line Fifth Avenue as families enter. 50th and 51st streets will be blocked to vehicles between Madison and Fifth Avenue.

Rethinking Memorial: Ten Interactive Sites for Remembering 9/11:

The Brooklyn Arts Council is creating an interactive arts project to remember the 10th anniversary on September 10, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Ten stations will be located walking distance apart beginning at the Pearl St. Triangle.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum:

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum will be open to the nearly 3,000 family members of victims of the 9/11 attacks and the 1993 bombing on September 11, 2011. It will then be open to the public the following day. Advanced timed passes are required for entry and can be reserved up to six months in advance online. The site will include two reflecting pools at the base of where the Twin Towers stood. The entrances to the site will be located on Albany and Greenwich St.

Tribute in Light:

A public arts show presented by the Municipal Art Society will display two blue light beams from dusk on September 11 until dawn the following day. The light show can be seen up to 60 miles away on a clear night. Check out the Municipal Art Society Website to find a good viewing spot.

Trinity Church:

Trinity Church, Wall Street is holding services all week long in remembrance. These "remember to love" events are based on reconciliation and peace on the decade anniversary of Sept 11. For a list of events at Trinity church visit their website http://www.trinitywallstreet.org

For more Sept. 11 remembrance events go to New York City's event calendar
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/210043/20110907/september-11-2011-new-york-city-schedule-of-events-911-memorial-road-closures.htm

US Military Bases on Alert for 9/11 Anniversary

The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that it was raising force-protection levels for military installations in the United States ahead of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

“This is not in response to any specific or credible threat surrounding the 10th anniversary of 9/11,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters, according to a Pentagon press release, “but we believe it is prudent and precautionary to take such a step.”

It’s no secret that al-Qaida has focused on holidays and milestone events in the past, Little added, noting that the 10th anniversary of 9/11 was mentioned in documents seized at the Abbottabad compound in Pakistan where Osama bin Laden was killed in May.

The Defense Department does not discuss specific force-protection levels, but the level will be raised at facilities throughout the United States, including the Pentagon itself.

"[The raised force protection level] is a reflection of al Qaida’s continued interest in milestone and anniversary events, and is prudent," Little said.

At a Politico event on Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke about security preparations for the anniversary.



“Many, many things have already been put in place not because there’s a specific, credible threat but we want Sunday to be a day of commemoration and remembrances and we want it to be safe,” she said. “Not just DHS — a lot of other agencies in the federal government state and local governments are really leaning forward to make sure we’re as safe and secure and we can be.”

The New York Police Department announced on Wednesday that it will be deploying thousands of extra police officers on Sunday, despite having no specific terrorist threat. From the Associated Press:

The NYPD plans to form a zone around the World Trade Center for a Sunday observance that President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush plan to attend. Along with extra officers – the department won't reveal an exact number – the security also will include hundreds of surveillance cameras trained on the site, Kelly said
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/110907/911-anniversary-pentagon

Thousandsof NYPD officers to secure Ground Zero for Anniversary

Associated Press
NEW YORK — There are no specific terror threats against New York City but the NYPD still plans a major show of force for 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Wednesday that police will form a frozen zone around the World Trade Center site. They'll flood it with thousands of extra officers for the Sunday observance there with President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush in attendance.

The beefed up security also will include hundreds of surveillance cameras trained on the site.

The commissioner said the department will deploy "quick strike reaction forces" to respond to potential threats outside lower Manhattan. The teams include officers in heavy armor, bomb squad technicians and hostage negotiators.

New Yorkers also will see extra subway patrols.

http://online.wsj.com/article/AP3798ef60be654ec188ae3aead0df894d.html

FBI ALERT: Small plane threats 9/11 Anniversary

The FBI and Homeland Security have issued a nationwide warning about Al Qaeda threats to small airplanes, just days before the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Authorities say there is no specific or credible terrorist threat for the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. But they have stepped up security across America as a precaution.

According to a five-page law enforcement bulletin issued on Friday, as recently as early this year, Al Qaeda was considering ways to attack airplanes.
The alert, issued ahead of the summer's last busy travel weekend, said terrorists have considered renting private planes and loading them with explosives.

'Al Qaeda and its affiliates have maintained an interest in obtaining aviation training, particularly on small aircraft, and in recruiting Western individuals for training in Europe or the United States, although we do not have current, credible information or intelligence of an imminent attack being planned,' according to the bulletin
The bulletin also says Al Qaeda would like to use sympathetic Westerners to get flight training, then get them to become flight instructors.

Matthew Chandler, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, described the bulletin as routine.
'We shared this information with our partners to highlight the need for continued awareness and vigilance,' he said
Aviation security is much tighter than it was a decade ago, but Al Qaeda remains keenly interested in launching attacks on airplanes, believing large attacks with high body counts are more likely to grab headlines.

Threats to small airplanes are nothing new. After the 2001 attacks, the government grounded thousands of crop dusters amid fears the planes could be used in an attack.

In 2002, U.S. officials said they uncovered an Al Qaeda plot to fly a small plane into a U.S. warship in the Gulf. And in 2003, U.S. officials uncovered an Al Qaeda plot to crash an explosives-laden small aircraft into the American consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2033535/FBI-DHS-warn-small-plane-terror-threats-ahead-9-11-anniversary.html

Rescue dogs of 9/11 Unsung Heroes

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

Last Updated: 11:34 AM, September 4, 2011

Posted: 1:15 AM, September 4, 2011




She was a 3-year-old golden-haired beauty when she got the call to respond to her first disaster.

Now, stiffer, slower and a bit gray, 13-year-old Bretagne is one of just a handful of World Trade Center rescue dogs still alive.

"We arrived on 9/12 and started working right away," said Bretagne's handler, Denise Corliss, a search-and-rescue volunteer with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Bretagne had spent more than a year learning how to find survivors in concrete rubble, but her Cypress, Texas, training site was nothing like Ground Zero.


She clambered up ladders to get on top of the huge debris piles, padded across broken glass and twisted steel beams, wiggled into small spaces and crawled into dark holes, all the while sniffing through mounds of pulverized concrete searching for clues that would lead her to survivors. Like all the rescue dogs, she worked without a leash or a collar.

The dogs also didn't wear protective booties, despite the crushed glass everywhere -- they needed their claws for traction.

Every night, she was given a decontamination bath. Her eyes, ears and mouth were rinsed out, and her abraded paw pads gently cleaned.

"It was her first mission, but she worked it like a pro. She didn't get cut up or fall or get hurt," said Corliss.

But Bretagne had a couple of near misses. One day, sniffing along an elevated steel beam, she lost her footing.

"It was real wet because the fires were still smoldering and the water spray was everywhere," Corliss recalled.

"She just kind of slipped, but she used her paws to pull herself back up and kept on going. That was the only time I was a little unsettled."

Bretagne was also a magnet for distraught firefighters searching the site for fallen comrades.

"A lot of times, firefighters would come by and pet her, talk to her and tell her stories," said Corliss. One firefighter bonded so closely with Bretagne that he recognized her years later at a 9/11 memorial.

The gregarious golden retriever has seen several national disasters since 9/11 -- she responded to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, going into flooded areas to find those unable to evacuate. She's retired now, but has a hard time accepting it, said Corliss.

When Corliss heads out with her new search dog, Aid'n, Bretagne always wants to go along.

"I bring her to the training site sometimes and let her run a few drills -- she's still got it," said the proud handler.

Like Bretagne, the majority of 100 or so FEMA dogs sent to Ground Zero stayed only about 10 days.

Thirty-three NYPD K-9 dogs took over recovery operations -- sniffing the rubble for remains -- for eight months. All of those dogs have since died. The last one, Charlie, a longtime K-9 unit member, passed in January, just a few months shy of his 13th birthday.

All told, about 300 dogs contributed to the rescue and long-term recovery effort at Ground Zero, said Roy Gross, a Suffolk County SPCA agent who ran the mobile hospital that cared for the animals.

"Besides the FEMA and NYPD dogs, you had therapy dogs, brought in to help the rescue searchers, and dozens of volunteers who showed up at the site with their dogs, too," said Gross


A decade later, the vast majority of all the 9/11 dogs are gone, according to the book "Dog Heroes of 9/11," which tracks the canines who worked at Ground Zero and the Pentagon.

Only about 14 of the original FEMA dogs are still alive -- including Kaiser, 12, a German shepherd from Indianapolis, and Tuff, 12, from Ashland, Mo.

Kaiser was bused to Ground Zero with his handler, Tony Zintsmaster, and arrived late at night on 9/11. He was immediately assigned to the 12-hour night shift.

As he climbed down from the pile on the morning of his second day, he badly sliced his right front carpal pad, probably on a sharp piece of steel, said Zintsmaster.

"There was no vet there yet, this was early on the 13th, so we found a medical-team doctor who stitched him up. Later, some vets arrived, and we got him bandaged and wrapped, and he was back to work that night."

The smoky, smoldering pile was especially difficult to navigate after dark, but Kaiser relished the challenge. In the daytime, the dog would de-stress with a visit to the free massage and acupuncture table set up for first responders by the School of Oriental Medicine. Kaiser particularly liked getting acupuncture, said Zintsmaster.

Off the pile, his ebullient personality was a soothing balm to grieving responders. Early one morning, a firefighter walked up to Kaiser, knelt down and hugged him for a long time, in silence. Then he stood up and walked away, said Zintsmaster.

Another time, a group of four firefighters decided the hot and thirsty German shepherd needed a drink.

"So one firefighter cups his hands together and two others are trying to pour water into his hands so Kaiser can lap it up, and meanwhile, the other one's saying that Kaiser's dirty, so that firefighter starts cleaning and rubbing his back and his muzzle. Kaiser's real social, so he loved the attention and it was OK -- it was what [the firefighters] needed," said Zintsmaster.

Kaiser, a "live-find" dog, never gave the alert to indicate he had located a survivor during his 10 days at Ground Zero. But several times, he expressed interest in a scent he'd picked up.

"His training was good. He didn't alert, which meant whatever he smelled wasn't alive, but he reacted enough so that I'd know to bring over a cadaver dog," his trainer said. "It's always hard when you don't find survivors."

The hardworking German shepherd, who will be 13 in October, just retired last year. He's in good shape, but no longer has the endurance for fieldwork, Zintsmaster said.

Some of the 9/11 rescue dogs have been incredibly long-lived. Tara, from Ipswich, Mass., got to Ground Zero the night of the disaster and stayed eight days.

She was one of the oldest survivors, until she died last year at age 16.

gotis@nypost.com



Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/rescue_the_unsung_dogs_of_drama_9PI2jS3hnB7Bhi3HzDMa7N#ixzz1X1FrQV3w

First Reponders at Ground Zero not Covered For Cancer Treatment

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Ralph and Barbara Geidel have spent close to $100,000 on his medical treatment since 2003, when the former fireman and 9/11 first responder was first diagnosed with tongue and neck cancer.

"We've already used up all of our savings," said his wife, Barbara. "We're now living paycheck to paycheck."

The Geidels were hoping to finally get some health insurance help with their mounting medical bills, when President Obama earlier this year signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

The Zadroga Act, also known as the First Responders Bill, sets aside $1.5 billion in federal and New York City funds to cover all costs for treating certain 9/11-related illnesses, and $2.7 billion in compensation for victims who suffered economic hardship as a result of the attacks.

But the law hasn't done a thing for the Geidels when it comes to filling the health insurance gap, because cancer is not one of the medical conditions currently approved to be covered by the fund.

Illnesses that are eligible for full coverage include asthma, lung disease, chronic cough syndrome, laryngitis, sleep apnea, sinusitis, digestive disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, which is administering the fund, there isn't enough scientific evidence linking cancer in first responders to their exposure to toxic substances from the 9/11 attacks.

The fund took effect on July 1, and since then it has received 86 applications, enrolled 25 people and paid out just over $1 million dollars in claims.

"This bill was rushed. It should have included coverage for cancer," said Barbara Geidel, expressing a view widely held by cancer stricken first responders and their families.

New research
A new study released Thursday by The Lancet medical journal examines the link between the incidence of cancer and exposure to 9/11 related substances, and seems to support her point.

It tracked 9,853 firefighters and found that those who were exposed to substances at Ground Zero are 19% more likely to develop cancer than firefighters who were not exposed.

Firefighters responding to 9/11 at increased cancer risk
Ralph Geidel, 54, retired from the FDNY in 1985 and moved to California to mine for gold. It was there that he met his wife Barbara. He returned to New York on Sept. 14, 2001, to rejoin his former unit Rescue Co. 1 and search for his brother Gary, also a firefighter who was in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

He's currently on a cross-country trip from California to Ground Zero on his Harley-Davidson, which is his way to honor his brother and find closure.

Ralph worked 36 straight hours when he first got to New York three days after 9/11, and then for months after that at Ground Zero.

Hounded by bill collectors
He has health insurance through the FDNY. But after his cancer diagnosis, he returned to California and was treated by specialists who were out of network and therefore not covered by his insurance.

That meant the Geidels had to pay much more out of pocket for Ralph's cancer treatments, including radiation and surgeries.

Although his doctors haven't clearly established the link between exposure to 9/11 toxins and his cancer, Barbara said one specialist did tell the couple that the toxins were probably what caused his type of cancer to show up at a much younger age than it typically does.

"His oncologist said this type of cancer is seen in a 60 -70 year old who's a heavy smoker and drinker," she said, adding that her husband was diagnosed at 44 and is neither a heavy drinker or smoker

Look, we're tired of begging for help. We're hounded by bill collectors. We're not asking for a handout. We're asking for a hand," said Barbara.

It's a different story for Chris Doran, 42, a first responder and former New York City police officer who called the Zadroga Act a huge relief.

In the 10 years since the terror attacks, Doran has suffered many sleepless nights thanks to his injuries and his medical bills.

But now, he says, "the government is paying for all of my therapy and medications."

Prior to the Zadroga Act, Doran was struggling to pay the steep out-of-pocket costs for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and a sinus condition so severe that it has required five sinus operations.

Companies in the Twin Towers: Before and after
"I went there on Sept. 14 but I didn't last very long," said Doran. After 14 hours at Ground Zero, his blood pressure shot up and he couldn't breathe.

He didn't return to Ground Zero after that. Three years later, Doran retired from the New York Police Department, moved to Texas and hasn't worked since.

Fortunately, Doran continued to get health insurance through the NYPD. But because his income dropped substantially after retiring, he too struggled to pay his out-of-pocket medical costs.

"I was paying $7,000 a year for medications. I had to file for bankruptcy," he said. Doran has also attempted suicide twice.

Under the Zadroga Act, all of Doran's medical costs will be paid for by the government because his illnesses are approved for coverage by the fund.

The bill isn't perfect, said John Feal, a first responder who founded the first responder advocacy group Feal Good Foundation in 2005, but at least it's a start.

"When this bill passed, my first words were 'This is good,'" he said. "But I give it a six out of 10."

Feal hopes that an amendment is made to the Act soon to cover cancer, and the agency has said it will continue to review its policy on cancer coverage as new research and findings are released. Such a review is expected early to mid-2012.

"These first responders are heroic people who are financially devastated because of their illnesses," he said.

First Published: September 2, 2011: 5:55 AM ET
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/02/news/economy/911_health_insurance/index.htm

Travel Alert 9/11 Anniversary US State Dept.

9-11 Anniversary
September 02, 2011
As we mark the 10th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department of State informs U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad of the continued threat posed by al-Qa’ida and its affiliates. While we have not identified any specific threats from al-Qa’ida affiliates and allies to attack the United States or our interests on the 9/11 anniversary, U.S. citizens should be aware that al-Qa’ida affiliates and allies have demonstrated the intent and capability to carry out attacks against the United States and our interests around the world. In the past, terrorist organizations have on occasion planned their attacks to coincide with significant dates on the calendar. This Worldwide Travel Alert supplements the July 26, 2011, Worldwide Caution, and expires on January 2, 2012.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries. These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.