It was the utmost harrowing experience 13 years ago....for the United States and emergency responders.

In New York City, the pain and sorrow will never go away.

Retired New York City Fire Department member Richard Picciotto (Piss-E-oh-toe) delivered his emotional memories of the September 11, 2001 horror story to Kankakee County business people and first-responders Wednesday night.

Picciotto was the speaker at the 100 Club at the Quality Inn & Suites in Bradley. The Hundred Club annually honors police and firefighters with a banquet that raises money for surviving families of emergency responders who die in the line of duty.

Picciotto was the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the collapse of New York City's Twin Towers. He was on the 35th floor when the South Tower came tumbling down. He said those eight-seconds "of my life" will never go away.

The honored-fireman painfully reminded the crowd 2343 firefighters died that day. There were 2,996 total deaths.

Picciotto today, says the U.S. needs to continue to be assertive in the fight against terrorism.

94.1 WGFA