“This is the story of a bright and sunny day.”

This is how Garrett Barbosa began his presentation. But this particular day was September 11, 2001 and everyone in the audience knew that his story wouldn’t end so bright and sunny.

Barbosa, a retired New York City firefighter, spoke during a special assembly for all students in US Civics on Wednesday October 9 about his personal experiences in New York on September 11, 2001.

Students in Mr. Todd Cammarata’s civics classes have been learning about 9/11 throughout the month of September.

Barbosa first described watching news footage of planes hitting buildings from his Bronx firehouse, miles away from the World Trade Center site. Barbosa and his fellow firefighters weren’t aware at first that the crashes were terrorist attacks, and were debating about the size of the first plane. Initially, they thought it must have been an accident caused by a small private plane.

“It was very weird how his company started off arguing about the plane size,” said sophomore Will Lash.

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We use the tragedy to bring some light into peoples’ lives

— Garrett Barbosa, retired FDNY firefighter

Barbosa and his fellow firemen were ordered to take an extra truck and respond to the World Trade Center as a special unit. As they traveled down to lower Manhattan, the crowded streets of New York were strangely vacant. Barbosa remembers thinking along the way, “My God, this is it.”

According to Barbosa, the first thing that crossed his mind was the desire to help in any way possible.

When they arrived, they found a scene of destruction that looked like a scene from a movie. Barbosa spoke about finding crushed vehicles and fire trucks, corpses, and the overwhelming dust and debris that coated the area.

“He was very persistent,” said sophomore Kendra Walker.

Since 9/11 Barbosa has suffered from bronchitis and lung issues from the dust and also from numerous spinal injuries sustained in other incidents while in the line of duty.

These injuries forced Barbosa to retire form the fire department.

He left New York for a simpler life with his wife and daughter in Bellwood, Pennsylvania, his wife’s hometown.

After moving to central Pennsylvania, Barbosa was invited to the Faith Assembly church.  This is where he met his speaking partner and fellow firefighter Jeff Meyers.

In 2006 the pastor of Faith Assembly Church asked Barbosa if he would like to address the church on the anniversary of September 11^th about his experiences. Barbosa agreed and he and Meyers have been sharing his 9/11 story ever since.

Mr. Cammarata first invited Barbosa to speak to his classes in 2009. In the class, students read the 9/11 Commission Report and study the background of 9/11 as well.

“Mr. Barbosa’s firsthand account helps the students to connect with what happened on 9/11. It’s always an honor to have him in,” said Cammarata.

“When I’m up there and I’m talking, it’s like I’m seeing a screen in the back of my head playing through everything I talk about,” said Barbosa.

Barbosa has received positive responses from the schools and churches he’s visited.

“It was really sad how some of his close friends had died,” said Tyrone high school sophomore Gage Fink.

“My father was a volunteer firefighter at the time,” said John Chronister. “My dad could have died on that day, too.”

“We use the tragedy to bring some light into peoples’ lives,” said Barbosa.

Barbosa has tried his best to help children make the best of themselves and keep the memory of 9/11 alive inside of them.

“We want to inspire them to hopefully take something with them, to be the best they can be,” said Barbosa.