Workers who rebuilt after 9/11 honored at World Trade Center

Thousands of construction workers and cleanup crews worked and volunteered at the World Trade Center after Sept. 11, 2001, around the clock for months, removing tons of debris and helping with the recovery. 

On Tuesday, they were honored with a tribute of their own. 

Union carpenter Moses Rivera remembers what it was like at the site as if it were yesterday. 

“It was a disaster, this whole entire block full of dust. The buildings here, windows broken, everything was torn up and everything, firefighters sleeping in the Burger King on the floor, and the Denny’s sleeping on the floor day and night. It was so sad,” Rivera said. 

Rivera was 20 years old when he watched the attacks unfold on television. He said he knew he had the skills to help. 

“The second day I came down here to volunteer,” Rivera said. “I’ve seen dead bodies, I’ve seen legs, I’ve seen everything. Then the machines started coming down, the iron workers started coming down, everything started coming down, so it was a hard day for everybody.” 

Rivera spent a year working at the World Trade Center site alongside thousands of other construction and trades workers who came to help with the cleanup and recovery. 

Their efforts were recognized Tuesday at a special tribute to the Labor of 9/11, held steps away from the 9/11 Memorial. 

Union members from around the city came out to show their support for their colleagues who helped New York City get back on its feet 25 years ago. 

Union members from across the city came out to show their support for colleagues who helped New York City recover in the aftermath of the attacks. 

“When I was here on September 11, and for the nine months that I spent down here working with all of you on a daily basis, I was really moved by two things — your skill, experience — but also your big hearts,” said Bill Keegan, a retired Port Authority Police Department lieutenant, special operations founder and president of HEART 9/11. “I saw how much you wanted to bring home to loved ones their family members.” 

Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, said the work of union members can still be seen throughout the World Trade Center site. 

“Because we have risen, we have come back, and every building you see, every tower you see, every paver you see at the World Trade Center campus was put up or put in by building trades members of the New York City Building Trades Council,” LaBarbera said.