We listen back to interviews recorded in the aftermath of Sept. 11, with a particular focus on stories of survival and loss at the World Trade Center, and some reflections in poetry and music.
DAVID BIANCULLI, HOST: This is FRESH AIR. I'm David Bianculli. Today, we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks - attacks that took place on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and on United Airlines Flight 93, which was heroically diverted by passengers and crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. For anyone who is old enough to remember the events of that day, they also remember what they were doing when they heard about it or saw the coverage live on TV. Today's show will focus on what happened at the World Trade Center and the interviews we recorded in the aftermath. First, we hear from former Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of the New York City Fire Department. He was a captain on 9/11 and led his men up the stairs of the North Tower. A
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