Local business recalls helping with 9/11 clean-up efforts
It’s one of those “when Kennedy was assassinated” or “when you found out Elvis died” memories that everyone can relate to if you were alive at the time.
Sept. 11, 2001, will forever be embedded in the hearts and minds of every American citizen. Each year, television specials, magazine articles, books and memoirs relive the moments of that tragic event in American history.
It was at approximately 8:14 a.m. that the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. When the dust settled that evening, 19 terrorists, four commercial airliners, two of the world’s tallest buildings, almost 3,000 deaths and 6,000 – 25,000 injuries would be part of the aftermath.
The tragedy affected everyone in one way or another. The whole country was in mourning. Everyone felt anxious and burdened to help in one way or another. Many prayed for New York residents, the families of the victims, the emergency personnel – and the entire country.
Others found ways to put their prayers to work.
Local construction company Phillips & Jordan, Inc., immediately began an effort to help in the devastation.
Phillips & Jordan had its beginnings in Graham County, and many of its employees were from Robbinsville at the time. Employees packed up, left home and headed to New York City, to assist in forensic recovery and debris removal.
The project led Phillips & Jordan to coordinate with Staten Island’s landfill as well as government agencies and subcontractors. The company spent over 1.7 million man-hours removing and processing more than 1.4 million tons of debris. Phillips & Jordan also created waist-high screening stations, which placed debris on conveyor belts to cut down on fatigue and increase production.
The Army Corps of Engineers honored the company as National Contractor of the Year in 2002. Phillips & Jordan finished the job in 321 days, when estimates called for two years of work for completion. For their efforts, Phillips & Jordan was awarded the 2002 Contractor of the Year Award, Civil Works from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
It was an opportunity to do something.
It was a job that made a difference.
For a few days, Americans were in harmony with one another. Parents valued their children. Families prayed together. Americans were one.
As we remember the fallen each year, let us acknowledge the fact that we don’t have to wait until a tragedy to do something to better the lives of others. We can do it in one way or another every day and not do it for self-glory.
Do it because it is the right thing to do.
The employees of Phillips & Jordan pitched in and helped clean up the aftermath in record time. It wasn’t a job, but a mission – one of compassion and guts.
It was an experience that will not soon be forgotten, but the images of the tragedy will forever be remembered by each one in their own way.
“We’ve been careful about discussing this project because it is so difficult and so significant,” said W.T. “Teddy” Phillips, Jr. “We certainly don’t want to glorify our role in New York, because many people deserve credit for their participation in this clean-up work and their struggle to assist those who suffered in this disaster. However, it’s the hardest project I’ve ever been associated with in my life.”
So many people were affected by this tragedy on American soil; yet, our country came together in prayer and deed, and helped to heal our land.