Union Holds 9/11 Medal Ceremony at 9/11 Museum as Transit Workers Get Recognition

At the 9/11 Museum, Local 100 President Richard Davis (center, with tie) stands with 9/11 Museum CEO Beth Hillman and CED VP Shirley Martin. Next to Davis is former President Tony Utano. At right is NYCT President Richard Davey.
At the 9/11 Museum, Local 100 President Richard Davis (center, with tie) stands with 9/11 Museum CEO Beth Hillman and CED VP Shirley Martin. Next to Davis is former President Tony Utano. At right is NYCT President Richard Davey.

There were tears, and some smiles, at the National September 11 Memorial Museum Monday night as Local 100 for the first time held its annual medal ceremony at Ground Zero. More than 125 transit workers and family members came to the “civic temple” to see eight workers being honored for their rescue-and-recovery work at Ground Zero. All eight became ill from their service, and two passed away.
 
Joycelyn Lee accepted a medal on behalf of her deceased husband, Work Train Operator Eddie Lee. “Unfortunately, we lost him in 2016, but when I got the call he was going to be honored, my heart was like he was alive again,” Joycelyn Lee said. Lee, who moved out of state, said family and friends back home were equally happy Eddie, and his union brothers and sisters, were getting the recognition they so rightfully deserve. “They’re already asking, ‘When are you coming back [with the Union's medal for service],’ “Jocelyn Lee said. “It’s like an Olympic medal.”

Local 100 President Richard Davis and Memorial & Museum CEO Beth Hillman announced an agreement in which the museum will educate visitors about the enormous role transit workers played at Ground Zero, particularly in the first 48-72 hours. Local 100 members evacuated scores of people from Lower Manhattan, searched for victims in the rubble, illuminated the attack site, operated heavy equipment to clear debris, and carried out many more critical tasks. The museum will play for visitors a documentary about transit workers' efforts on "the pile," and will include photos, artifacts, and oral testimonies in its exhibits, Davis and Hillman said.
 
Medal recipient Hector Soto fought back tears as he remembered co-worker Lee and said he appreciated that transit workers were finally being included in the museum. “It’s nice to be recognized…,” he said. “Thank God, the union made it happen.”
 
Museum staff agreed to meet with Local 100 to discuss raising public awareness about transit workers’ 9/11 service after the union launched a media campaign demanding recognition in the museum. The campaign garnered widespread media coverage, including articles in the New York Daily News and the NY Post. Whereas prior museum administrations were uncooperative, the current leadership
was receptive to the union’s mission.
 
“Transit workers are the unsung heroes of the rescue-and-recovery story but that is changing now,” Davis said during the ceremony Monday. “Tonight, we honor these eight medal recipients, and the thousands of other transit workers who played such critical roles in the aftermath of Nine Eleven. Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

News media covering the event included NY1, Fox 5, and WPIX. Links can be found here:  Fox 5, Pix 11 and NY1.