The shadow of 9/11 continues to haunt New York as three more firemen who responded to the attacks died from various forms of cancer caused by the air and rubble at Ground Zero.
Robert Leaver, 56, had leukemia, and his childhood friend, Lt. Howard Bischoff, 58, had colon cancer. Daniel Heglund, 58, had bone cancer. They served their departments for over two decades and died within hours of each other on the same day.
According to the New York Fire Department, all three men, and hundreds more, had cancer because of the toxic air at Ground Zero while digging through the rubble for bodies and survivors.
In the 13 years since 9/11, 850 firemen and ambulance workers who were on the scene have gotten sick from cancer and respiratory problems; 92 men and women so far have died from 9/11-related illnesses.
Despite the ailments that they succumbed to after the attacks, the firefighters never want to be seen as victims, saying that they would do it again without hesitation.
According to James Lemonda, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, when he asked his men if they ever regretted responding at 9/11 because of their illnesses afterwards, they all told him, "Our country needed us."
The only thing the Union wants is some justice for the valiant work of the heroes who continue to pay the price with their own lives for going to the World Trade Center after the attacks.
Apparently, they were misinformed when they responded to the crisis that the air was safe and they did not have to worry. But when 99 percent of all the firefighters who were working at the site began to fall ill, it was clear they were not at all safe, although a clear link has yet to be determined.
"On that day when first responders arrived, the air was toxic and remained toxic for many months afterward," Lemonda said to the press.
The Union wants the health benefits provided by the government for 9/11 responders to be extended for at least another 25 years. They think it is only fair given the tragedy of the three brave men who died on Sept. 22 as heroes, and many more like them.
Current benefits of 9/11 responders, which are covered by the James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, will expire in 2016.
