Content
The Stories
The terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 was one of the darkest moments in American history. However, the tragedy also revealed compassion and courage shown by families, coworkers, and even strangers. We were honored to sit down with many of the "Heroes of 9/11," and we believe that you will be as inspired and moved by their stories as we have.
Brian Clark & Stanley Praimnath - "Escape From Tower 2"
Brian Clark and Stanley Praimnath worked just three floors apart in Tower Two of the World Trade Center, but had never met one another. They could not have imagined that on that serene morning, their fates would be bound in tragedy. Their survival of the 9/11 attack is one of the most amazing and powerful stories we heard while making this film.
We were unable to share Brian and Stanley's entire account in the finished film, but it certainly deserves to be relayed in its entirety. What follows is their story, in their own words, as they told us in their interviews for On Native Soil.
Click to download complete interview (PDF)
Lee Ielpi - "It happend on our soil..."
Lee Ielpi is quite literally regarded as a living legend in New York City. One of the most highly decorated fire figters in the history of FDNY, every fire fighter, rescue worker, and anyone that aspired to be one knows the Ielpi name.
Lee, a member of the fabled "RESCUE 2" company, raised two sons that also became fire fighters, Brendan and Jonathan. Jonathan is regarded as one of the many heroes of 9/11, and perished while rescuing victims in the World Trade Center.
Lee Ielpi was chosen as Vice President of the September 11th Families Association, working to make sure the families, victims, and lessons of 9/11 are not forgotten.
Lee's story is incredibly moving, and contains an equally powerful message. Through his pain and grief, he shares a potent lesson about overcoming complacency. Here is the account of his loss, the courage he saw on 9/11, and what you can do to help.
Click to download complete interview (PDF)
David Lim - "Surviving the Collapse"
David Lim has been a police officer for the New York Port Authority for 26 years. He was in the act of rescuing victims of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center when it collapsed. The attacks on the World Trade Center took the lives of many officers, including his bomb-sniffing dog, Sirius. Miraculously, his small group was inside the only stairwell that survived as more than 100 floors collapsed above.
His story is a humbling, awe-inspiring reminder not to take our loved ones for granted.
Click to download complete interview (PDF)
