Ground Zero ceremony for Nassau first responders

Honored and recognized for his valor during the terror attack in Lower Manhattan 10 years ago, Sgt. Richard Doerler of the Nassau County Police Emergency Service Unit laid a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial Thursday along with several hundred other Long Island first responders and their families who paid tribute to their work and to honor the memory to those who died that day.

Under warm, sunny skies and amid the sound of rushing water from the 9/11 Memorial fountains where the Twin Towers once stood, Doerler was given an American flag from the Port Authority for his valor in rescuing Port Authority Lt. John McLaughlin.

During the early morning hours after the towers collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001, Doerler -- along with two New York City firefighters -- pulled out McLaughlin from underneath the ruble of the south tower.

"I was in the hole from 3 a.m. to sunrise when we found John," said Doerler, who hadn't returned to Ground Zero until Thursday. "He was trapped and we had to lay on top of him so we could free up his legs . . . .He was conscious but in a lot pain. He made it."

Edward P. Mangano, Nassau County executive, who organized the solemn ceremony called "Nassau County First Responders Day," said it was tribute to those Nassau emergency first responders who came to assist New York City in the early hours of 9/11.

Doerler, who said he did not want to go back to the site until the entire area was rebuilt, downplayed his actions that day.

"I'm not the hero. They are," said Doerler, gesturing to the South Pool where the South Tower once stood.

By By MARIA ALVAREZ
Posted Thursday, December 22, 2011

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