Ep 4. Heroes of 9/11

In season 1, episode 4 of the PBS documentary series "We'll Meet Again," titled "Heroes of 9/11," host Ann Curry brings together individuals who were profoundly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001. Through their shared experiences, they help to weave a tapestry of remembrance and healing.

The first person we meet is Jason, a firefighter who was only a few blocks away from the Twin Towers when they fell. He speaks movingly of his time spent digging through the rubble, looking for survivors and hoping against hope that more people would be found alive. His job took a toll on his physical and emotional health, and he left the force soon after. Now, decades later, he is reunited with a woman whom he helped to rescue from the burning buildings.

As the two of them embrace, it's clear that the bond forged between rescuer and rescued is unbreakable. Jason is overwhelmed with emotion as he describes how their chance meeting has helped to bring him closure and peace. He also reconnects with another firefighter who worked alongside him during the disaster. The two of them share stories of their time on the scene and reflect on how much has changed in the years since.

The episode also features a woman named Keating, who was working in the Pentagon on 9/11. She recalls the moment the plane hit the building and describes how she and her colleagues frantically tried to find a way out. Keating's journey to find solace leads her to reunite with a man who helped her to escape that day. As the two of them sit down and begin to talk, it's clear that there is a deep sense of gratitude and respect between them.

Another person we meet is a man named Charlie, who lost his wife in the attacks. He speaks candidly about the nightmarish aftermath of her death, from the long hours spent at the morgue waiting to identify her body to the overwhelming sense of grief that threatened to consume him. In a poignant moment, he meets with a woman who was on the same flight as his wife. Though they didn't know each other at the time, they both survived the crash and have since become good friends.

Watching these individuals come together and support each other in their time of need is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. The people featured in this episode may have gone through unimaginable hardship and trauma, but they have emerged with a deep sense of resilience and hope. "We'll Meet Again" is a tribute to their bravery and an affirmation of the bonds that hold us together, even in the most trying of times.