Community Corner

Video: 9/11 First Responder Reacts to Osama's Death

Nesconset resident John Feal gives an emotional response to the terrorist's death at a ceremony at Hauppauge's Innovative Stone.

Nesconset resident John Feal was one of many first responders from the Hauppauge area who rushed to Ground Zero nearly 10 years ago when two planes struck the World Trade Centers in an attack organized by terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. So, for Feal, President Barack Obama's announcement of bin Laden's death on Sunday was emotional.

Feal said he is mixed over bin Laden's death, from tears of joy to acknowledging that bin Laden's death will not bring back those who died on 9/11.

Feal has formed the FealGood Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to educate the public about the health effects of working at Ground Zero while providing help to the families of 9/11 first responders.

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The FealGood Foundation is working with two Hauppauge widows of 9/11 first responders, Greta Helmke and Eileen Ryan, to oversee construction of. The park's groundbreaking was held on April 3.

Feal spoke with Hauppauge Patch at Innovative Stone in Hauppauge, where the Freedom Tower Cornerstone engraved to remember the victims of Sept. 11 now sits as a memorial.

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