Stories of survival & loss at Ground Zero
Summary
For the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Fresh Air revisits archival interviews with survivors and artists. Former Deputy Chief Jay Jonas recounts rescuing a woman from the North Tower, while firefighter Ken Haskell reflects on losing his brothers. The episode also features Dennis Smith’s analysis of the towers’ collapse, poet Sekou Sundiata’s verse, and Sonny Rollins’ account of playing a concert days after the tragedy.
Topics discussed
Intro: NPR Politics and Fresh Air 9/11 commemoration
Overview of 9/11 attacks and today's focus
Interview: Deputy Chief Jay Jonas on rescuing Josephine Harris
Interview: Ken Haskell on losing his brothers in the towers
Sponsorship: FX's The Drop and Instacart
Intro: Consider This and Fresh Air return
Interview: Dennis Smith on skyscraper fire dynamics
Sponsorship: IXL, Shortwave, and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me
Poetry: Seku Sundiata reads 'About September 11th'
Interview: Robert Pinsky reads 'The House on the Hill'
Sponsorship: IXL, Where Is Austin Tice, and NPR Plus
Interview: Sonny Rollins on the 9/11 Concert
Outro: Sonny Rollins tribute and Colin Kaepernick preview
Credits and Sponsorship: IXL and Planet Money
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