Twenty‑five years after the September 11 attacks, former FOX 2 photographer Jim Kelel traveled from Detroit to New York to help document and assist the rescue effort at Ground Zero. Kelel, who was on duty for the station when the news broke, recalls the frantic call that woke him early that morning and set him on a long drive to the nation’s capital of tragedy.
From Detroit to the disaster zone
“She came and woke me up and said something is happening in New York,” Kelel said, describing the moment his colleague alerted him to the attacks. Within minutes he packed a bag, joined two co‑workers, and headed east. The team encountered a closed bridge and a police checkpoint that initially barred entry.
“Across into New York, they weren’t letting anybody in,” Kelel remembered. “We pulled over, got out of the truck, talked to the officers and they opened up and let us through.”
Covering the tragedy amid chaos
Arriving at the devastated site, Kelel was struck by the lingering smoke and the sheer scale of destruction. Without the benefit of social media, television news served as the primary bulletin board for families searching for missing loved ones. “People would come up to our trucks with pictures of their loved ones and beg us to put them on TV because they didn’t know where they were,” he said. The emotional toll was evident; the station’s reporter broke down in tears, prompting the crew to shut the truck doors for a short time.
American resolve on display
Even amid the heartbreak, Kelel observed a powerful display of patriotism. “Every fire truck that went by had the American flag on it,” he noted. “People were carrying their American flags, and there was a sense of urgency to get back and get this right.” After completing his photography duties, Kelel stepped into the role of a first responder, helping wherever he could.
Why the memory matters today
Reflecting two decades later, Kelel says the experience reinforced his belief in the strength of the American people. The pride he feels in seeing Americans help one another remains a guiding force in his life. “The pride I felt of Americans helping Americans rises above the dark memories of that day,” he said.
Kelel’s story is a reminder that ordinary citizens, whether journalists, volunteers, or first responders, played a vital role in the nation’s recovery. As communities across the country hold remembrance events this year, his testimony underscores the enduring spirit of service and unity that defined the response to 9/11.
Original reporting: Warren | FOX 2 Detroit — read the source article.
