"Narratives for the Discerning Connoisseur of Deep Dialogue"

September 11, 2011: Commemorative Program : ‘Dedication to those who lost and risked their lives on September 11, 2001. Panel: Bob Beckwith (NYC fireman embraced by President Bush) & Alice Hoagland (Mother to Mark Bingham – Flight 93)

Alice Hoagland, today a respected authority on airline safety, is the mother of 9/11 victim Mark Bingham, who it is believed along with the other passengers of United Flight 93, stormed the cockpit and fought with terrorists for control of the hijacked aircraft. Although Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, PA, killing all aboard, the efforts of Mark and others heroically prevented the terrorists from striking intended targets in Washington DC.

As Ground Zero reflected a scene of chaos just days after the attacks of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush stood upon a wrecked fire engine with retired New York City firefighter Bob Beckwith. (FDNY’s Ladder 164 firehouse in Queens in 1994 after 29 years of honorable service) There image became iconic and traveled across the world representing a determination to rebuild following the World Trade Center attacks. Now 79 years old and some 10 years after the attacks during which he joined hundreds of individuals in the rescue attempts, he reflects upon those immediate days following the events in which hundreds of his own were killed.

The passionate conversation talks to the scenes and images seared in his mind and to life’s journey since the events. During the program he also talks to the days and years since, and his work in raising funds for the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. He has lived in Baldwin Long Island for the last 54 years.Every September 11 since 2002, Beckwith has been going to a memorial at Point Lookout on Long Island. This year, he will attend the commemoration ceremony at ground zero.