My City September 2021

MYSTORY

IT is a day that many of us will never forget – Septem ber 11, 2001 (9/11) – when America was attacked by terrorists who crashed two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Along with the passengers on the planes, thousands who were in the buildings died on that tragic day. Among those who per ished were 343 firefighters. Linden Resident Joe Ludwig, who at the time was a lieutenant with the Argentine Township Fire and Rescue, has vivid mem ories of that day. Now the skilled trades committeeman at General Motors Milford Proving Grounds, he is the father of four children and has nine grandchildren. Ludwig started at Argen tine Township Fire and Res cue in 1998 as a probationary firefighter. He was promoted to captain and finally, bat talion chief. He left the fire department in 2004 and joined the fire department in Burns Township where he served until 2012. “I was also an EMT,” Ludwig shares. “Any time someone picks up the phone and dials 911, it is typically going to be one of the worst days of their life.

As a fire department officer and a member of the fire ser vice, we often had to make life and death decisions in a stressful environment. It was very gratifying to make a difference in someone’s life in their darkest hour.” September 11, 2001 was a day of dark hours. “I was up that morning taking care of my daughter, Hunter,” Ludwig remembers. “I was on second shift at the time. I remember it was a crystal clear day – blue skies and not a cloud. I watched the events unfold on TV and like everyone else, thought it was an accident, initially.” And as soon as Ludwig realized New York City had been attacked by terrorists, he knew he was going to go there to help.The Michigan State Police sent a dispatch to all fire departments, requesting any trained EMS personnel to respond to the Meadowlands in New Jersey to stage for assignments. “I just did what my country asked of me and what I was trained to do. I responded.” Ludwig was accompanied by two other (probational) firefighters, Tom Smith and Julie Herron. “After securing permission from our chief, we loaded a van with gauze,

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MEMORIES OF GROUND ZERO BY CHERYL DENNISON x PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JOE LUDWIG

We Remember

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