LDRNY Partner Escorts Governor, Mayors at Ground Zero

Lee Ielpi, right, escorts Mayor Bloomberg and the press corps at Ground Zero

The Tribute Center, on Liberty Street facing the former World Trade Center site, is a project of the 9/11 Families’ Association funded in part by Lutheran Disaster Response of NY and other private and corporate donors.  At a press conference held September 9, the Center offered the inaugural tour of Ground Zero, one of hundreds to be given in the coming years as part of the Center's mission.   Governor George Pataki, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg were in attendance, and were led by Association Vice-President Lee Ielpi on this first official tour.  Ielpi is a retired firefighter whose son, Jonathan, waslost on 9/11.  He and many others who experienced 9/11 and the aftermath firsthand will be among those who lead tours for visitors when Tribute opens to the public.

“We must rebuild,” said Gov. Pataki, “but more important is remembering.  We vowed we’d remember the courage and sacrifice. It’s our obligation to do this right so people can understand.”  Mr. Bloomberg agreed.  “We are grateful to the men and women who experienced the attacks and are now willing to share their stories" as tour guides, or docents, for the Tribute Center.  For more on Tribute, click here.

Former Mayor Giuliani speaks at Tribute, still under construction.  Listening are Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Silver, and Tribute President Sally Yerkovich