Tribute WTC Visitor Center: Part 2

Add Feedback

Share |

The Tribute WTC Visitor Center is located across the street from the site of the World Trade Center.  The memorial center is filled with video, audio and artifacts from Ground Zero that help visitors to connect with those who perished that day and to understand the history of September 11th and its aftermath.  Each day volunteers take visitors on guided walking tours, sharing stories, facts and their personal experiences about the day that forever changed America.

Two of these volunteer docents are Paul and Denise McFadden.  Paul is a retired FDNY Lieutenant from Brooklyn, and was involved with the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.  He and his wife are dedicated to sharing their experiences with others.

Retired FDNY Lieutenant Paul McFadden's Perspective

Paul says, "One of the things that I say on my tours all the time is that I came down here basically to try to save some of my friends, but that was impossible.  But doing the tours in Tribute allows me to save their memories.  I think it's very important for the Fire Department that Tribute exists because it allows people to come here and see not only all of the civilians that died but to make a connection with all of the firefighters that basically risk their lives everyday for them.  It gives them a connection with them, you know a feeling that 'Wow. These guys really do run into danger,' that it is not a catch phrase.  It's not a campaign promise.  It's something that firemen do."

Firefighter Wife Denise McFadden's Perspective

As the wife of a firefighter, Denise McFadden has a deep connection to and important perspective about September 11th.  She explains, "When you are the wife of a fireman, you're really in the fire family.  I say we've been married for 38 years, but that really means that I've been married to the fire service for 38 years.  And when you have a barbecue, it's those people you invite.  And he lost 46 friends but because of the unity of the families, the children grow up together and everything, I really lost 46 friends also."  Denise lost a 47th friend that day, one of her former students.

Common Questions for Tribute WTC Visitor Center Tour Guides

Paul and Denise say that they and the other volunteers feel satisfaction in answering the questions that visitors ask them.  Denise says that the most common question that she gets is, "Did you really stand on that stoop with Paul's helmet and send him in there? How could you do that? Didn't you know it would be dangerous?"  Her answer to that is simply, "How could you not?"

Another common question that both Paul and Denise and other volunteers are asked is, "How can you keep coming back and doing this?"  Denise's answer is once again, "How could you not?"  She says that she and Paul will continue to do share their experiences about September 11th with visitors until they are physically unable to do so anymore.

Tribute WTC Visitor Center Tour Information

Walking tours of the perimeter of the World Trade Center site leave from the Tribute Center multiple times a day, and it is recommended to arrive early to secure a spot in the tours.  For more information, visit  www.tributewtc.org.

Related Videos

Interview with Tribute WTC Visitor Center Co-Founder and President Lee Ielpi

9/11 Patriotic Ride and Remembrance Ceremony