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ominous black cloud filled the sky and enveloped everything in its wake.
As a former volunteer firefighter, I felt compelled to help. I ran into the dense smoke to what it now called
"Ground Zero" and attempted to find a command center or fire chief. The scene was in total chaos. With
most of the fire trucks either crushed or burning, the command post was buried under debris. In the first
initial moments of shock, even the firefighters didn't seem to realize what had happened. Most were
searching for their friends or trying to help survivors. At that moment, I decided that my photos would have
to wait. My services were clearly needed as a volunteer
Within minutes, the thick smoke and burning ash inhibited our ability to breathe. With stinging eyes and a
constant cough, I searched furiously for drinking water. Most store owners had closed their shops and
evacuated the area, except for a single deli a few blocks away. I made several trips there, purchasing
dozens of water bottles to distribute to people at the site. When I depleted the shop's water supply, I asked
the owner for donations to help the firefighters. Despite his initial resistance, he knew that his perishable
goods could not survive a prolonged lack of electricity. He gave them to me, along with all of his dairy
products. When I told the firefighters, they asked me to solicit other needed items, including dust masks from
an abandoned hardware store. Upon my return, I donned a NYFD t-shirt and kept working.
While the firefighters searched through the debris, I served as a coordinator for new volunteers at the site.
It wasn't hard to keep people busy. As piles of paper caught fire, the water pressure in the area was too low
to put them out. With the aid of a police officer, I assembled a group of volunteers to search for available fire
extinguishers in the surrounding buildings. We picked up empty S.C.O.T (Self-Contained Oxygen Tank)
pack bottles and brought them to filling stations. With assistance from firefighters, I put out small paper fires
and salvaged equipment from burning fire trucks. I cleaned ash out of people's eyes and gathered scattered
equipment. Whenever I saw civilians, I confirmed that they were fine, then asked for their help. Amid the
devastation, our burgeoning team of volunteers made the stress a little easier to bear.
We were evacuated several hours later, when it became apparent that Building 7 was about to come down.
Only then did I notice that my pants were burnt and that parts of my boots had melted while I walked through
smoldering ash. In my haste that day, I didn't realize the severity of the burns on my feet and ankles. After
limping for another hour, I was ordered to get some rest. As I left the site, I took some final photos of the
firefighters and a few "landscape shots." Like other Americans, the surreal images of Ground Zero became
permanently etched in my heart.
As I walked home that day, I realized that I still had over seven rolls of film left to shoot. Normally, I would
regret not spending more time getting "great shots." Yet the situation I encountered on September 11 was
different from any concert, wedding, corporate party or movie I ever photographed. Normally, my job
required a single-minded focus: to observe events and deliver award-winning shots. Not on September 11.
On 9/11, my primary responsibility was not to document the event, but to become an integral part of it. My
challenge was to be a compassionate, effective volunteer under a highly unusual set of circumstances. The
devastation at Ground Zero pushed my skills, endurance and emotional stability farther than I ever dreamed
possible, but I pushed back just as hard. Faced with a life-threatening challenge, I served the needs of
others. Looking back at the split-second decisions I made that day, I am confident that I did my best to help
as many people as possible. I did what any compassionate American would do.
Tell Us Something That Will Help Us Get to Know You Better
My life is guided by my continual pursuit of success as a professional, citizen, son and friend. Before
undertaking an endeavor, I ask myself three questions: (1) Is the activity worthwhile? Does it require the
application of my best self to benefit those around me? (2) Is the activity consistent with the values instilled
by my family? (3) Will the activity allow me to grow, challenge myself and learn something new? Only if all
three answers are "yes" will I proceed with the endeavor.
Surprisingly, many of my peers make life-altering decisions without ever asking themselves those three
critical questions. They seek a smooth daily existence, comforted by the tangible rewards of money and
material goods. Yet I have never been particularly motivated by physical things, preferring to follow an inner
guide when I make big decisions. I usually choose the path that offers the greatest opportunity for emotional
growth. Over the years, I have left excellent companies in Singapore and Los Angeles to advance my career
and embrace new challenges. To enroll at Harvard, I will leave another successful position at Prudential
Securities. Although some people may view this as risky, it is a necessary step on my path to leadership.
My parents taught me to dream big and to follow the correct path. Through personal example, my father
taught me the power of honesty and integrity. As the head of the purchasing department, he was often
threatened by corrupt business owners who tried to bribe him into buying their shoddy products. He refused
to cave in to their demands. As a teacher, my mother taught me how to balance work with home. Despite
her responsibilities at the school, she was always available to attend to my needs. After nine years away
from home, my mother is still my best friend, my guide and never-ending source of love. I feel a deep
responsibility to honor my parents' wishes and be the ethical and accomplished man they nurtured.
Over the years, my commitment to improving society has become the most important factor in my life. For
the past several years, I have served as president of Pennsylvania's chapter of the American Red Cross, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]