Tour Ground Zero with the brother of 9/11 hero FDNY Capt. Billy Burke, Jr.
The “Sphere Guy”
Join native New Yorker and 9/11 family member and activist Michael Burke, who led the fight to return the iconic Koenig Sphere to the WTC site, ensure that the first responders who gave all were identified at the memorial, co-founder of the annual 1 WTC Tower Climb, and has been at the forefront of the effort to preserve and faithfully convey the authentic history of the heroism, sacrifice and loss of 9/11.
Be part of the only tour led by a 9/11 family member. I was there during the memorial and rebuilding process. Join me for an exclusive and authentic Ground Zero experience.
Tour Ground Zero, the 9/11 Memorial, the FDNY Memorial Wall, and the Koenig Sphere. 90 mins.
$30.00
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90%
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Visit with Me
St. Paul's Chapel
Founded in 1766, St. Paul’s, directly across the street from the WTC, miraculously survived the attacks undamaged. In the weeks and months following, it became a place of refuge for Ground Zero workers laboring on the 10 story high “Pile” – the ruins of the WTC. Exhausted and dust covered firefighters and iron workers slept on pews where George Washington knelt and prayed.
FDNY Memorial Wall
Located at Ladder 10, Engine 10, across the street from the memorial, it is a gift of Holland & Knight, LLP, to honor partner Gary Winuk, a volunteer firefighter from Jericho, LI, who rushed to the WTC to help and perished. After leaving a message of gratitude, I was invited by Holland & Knight to speak as a family member at the dedication, June, 2008.
The Sphere
“Sphere” by German artist Fritz Koenig, stood in the center of the WTC plaza for 30 years as a symbol of world peace. Though heavily damaged, 9/11, it was the only object of the entire WTC to survive intact. Banned by officials from the memorial because it would remind visitors of the attacks, its future was uncertain. For a decade I led the fight to return it to Ground Zero, as covered in national and international media. Made by history, with its own inherent and immutable truth, visit “Sphere” with me and hear firsthand the authentic story of its incredible journey.
Capt. William F. (Billy) Burke, Jr.
While on the 27th floor of 1 WTC, the north tower, and aware of the collapse of the south tower, Billy radioed his men a few floors below and ordered them to evacuate. They offered to wait.
“Keep going,” Billy told them, “I’m right behind you with two civilians. Meet at the rig.”
Escaping as the tower came down behind them, his men and the civilians they assisted all survived.
The “two civilians” Billy was with was Ed Beyea, a quadriplegic trapped in his mechanized wheelchair in a tower with no working elevators, and Abe Zelmanowitz, his friend and co-worker. Before they could escape, 1 WTC collapsed and they perished with the other 2,746 innocents at the WTC, 9/11.
Speaking with survivors whom Billy encountered at the WTC, I was able to piece together his entire incredible story. I learned how his leadership and decisive actions contributed to the survival of another dozen firefighters and several dozen office workers.
Join me at Ground Zero and trace Capt. Burke’s footsteps. Connect with all the inspiring and heart rendering stories of heroism, sacrifice and loss.
“You will leave with a far fuller understanding of what happened here, Sept. 11, 2001, and of the long and complex process of memorialization and rebuilding.”
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Join me at Ground Zero
Connect with the authentic story of 9/11