Metro Area Firefighters Recall 9/11

ATLANTA - As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the country will reflect on the day terrorists attacked in Virginia, Pennsylvania and the World Trade Center in New York.

But while much of the country was in a panic, a group of Georgia firemen took control and risked their lives to help.

9/11 is a day no one will forget. But the personal pain felt by a group of Georgia firemen is something they live with every day.

"I couldn't believe that it was happening. It seemed like it was unbelievable. But when it did collapse I said there is a lot of people going to die at that event," said Sterling Poole.

And Poole knew many of the victims to die would be his fellow firefighters. On September 11, 2001 Sterling Poole was a firefighter in the Riverdale Fire Department - but for 20 years, he was a New York firefighter, in Queens Ladder 126. And while thousands of people were fleeing the city of New York, just hours after the first attack Poole and fellow longtime New York fireman, Robert McCain loaded up a car and made the nine hour drive to try help at Ground Zero.

"I told my boss that we just had to go, the chief said take as much time as you need and be safe. The people of Riverdale in agreement with us," said Poole

"People were still there that we knew and it's part of the nature of being a firefighter for almost 20 years. It's in our nature and we didn't hesitate," said Robert McCain.

Terrence Sherod was already in New York on active duty.

"When we got the call all we heard were two planes had hit. Enroute the buildings had fallen. We hadn't gotten any reports it had fallen until we got close to the city. When we got to the city, they had fallen, they were invisible," said Terrence Sherod.

343 firefighters were killed on September 11th. Poole, McCain, and Sherod knew about 50 of them, firefighters they fought blazes alongside, or trained, even performed their wedding ceremonies. Nine years after they first experienced the heartbreak of that day, the pictures and images are etched in their heads and in their hearts. But in true firefighter form, they are proud of not of their work, but of the will of the country to carry on.

"When you reflect on it and how we handled it and how people have risen from that particular day, it kin dof brings a little bit of honor, respect. You're encouraged by what has happened after the World Trade Center," said Sherod.

All the men worked tirelessly at Ground Zero for some time and are now retired, living here in metro Atlanta, but are still close friends.