LEHMAN TOWNSHIP -- Wednesday marks 12 years since our nation was changed forever, 12 years since America was attacked and 12 years since a man from our area was trapped underneath a part of the collapsed World Trade Center.
Al Pruden of the Dallas area has a special photo album. The pictures were taken when he was a New York City EMT when the twin towers were attacked.
He earned all kind of medals during his 30 years of service. But Pruden said some hand cards from children hold special meaning.
"'Thank you for saving my daddy. It means so much to me that you were able to do that, thank you again' from Ariel McCally, John McCally's daughter and then it said P.S. turn the page and it says 'you are the best.'"
Besides the slew of medals Al Pruden got during his 30 years with the New York City Fire Department, you can tell he takes 9/11 very seriously.
Al Pruden was trapped for a time when Building 7 of the World Trade Center collapsed. He blames his current health problems on the toxic air at Ground Zero.
"My blood pressure started going up all the time, breathing became an issue the last several months before I retired," Pruden explained.
Al showed us his motorcycle. He plans on taking part in the 2 Million Bikers to D.C. Rally Wednesday. Pruden said it's to pay tribute to those who died in the 9/11 attacks, especially the more than 300 New York City firefighters.
"We run into places people run out of. You know rats are smart enough to run out of things like that. We ran in I think the loss could have been a lot worse."
For information on the 2 Million Bikers to D.C. Rally, click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eww6Eeot69A