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In this episode of The Muster Room podcast, we sit down with retired Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jim Broderick at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Jim shares his powerful, firsthand account of being one of the first responders to the crash site on September 11, 2001. On that fateful morning, Jim was on patrol in rural Somerset County when he was called back to the station as news of the Twin Towers and Pentagon attacks unfolded. Shortly after, his dispatcher informed him of a hijacked plane flying over a large body of water, and he was sent to find it. Just minutes into his search, the plane went down, and Jim became the first person to arrive at the crash site.

Jim describes arriving at the scene to a "massive hole" in the ground and a surreal landscape of fire and silence. He immediately broadcasted on his radio that he didn't believe anyone could have survived the devastation. Jim recounts searching the wreckage for survivors, only to find human remains and pieces of the plane scattered across the field and into the woods. He even found Flight Attendant Sandra Bradshaw's flight attendant book, a poignant artifact he felt needed to be returned to her family. We also discuss the challenges first responders faced in the rural location, the community support that poured in, and the emotional toll the experience took on him and his fellow troopers.

Finally, Jim reflects on the lasting impact of Flight 93. He discusses the surreal experience of flying over the crash site in a helicopter and meeting Governor Ridge. He also talks about how he shares his story with high school students, many of whom were not alive on 9/11. Jim emphasizes the heroism of the Flight 93 passengers, ordinary people who voted to fight back and saved thousands of lives. This episode is a powerful reminder of the American spirit and the importance of never forgetting the heroes of Flight 93.