T-Shirt
- Description
- Red T-shirt with a white heart printed on the front enclosing printed text that reads: "I support the Feal Good Foundation." "Assisting 1st responders” is printed on the back with a graphic of the Statue of Liberty and an eagle.
- Historical Notes
- Ron Vega, an architect employed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) volunteered at Ground Zero. Several years later, Vega became involved with various grassroots lobbying efforts in support of federal legislation providing financial and medical resources to responders and volunteers who become sick because of their work at Ground Zero. Vega attended rallies in New York City and in Washington, DC, testified before a Congressional subcommittee in 2006, and became involved with the Feal Good Foundation’s advocacy campaigns to secure legislation with long-term funding for 9/11 responders.
Curator's Comment
Holding a license in architecture, Ronaldo Vega was an employee of the New York City Department of Design & Construction (DDC) when the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001. After being authorized to assist at the disaster scene, Vega and other DDC staff voluntarily suspended their ordinary duties to serve at Ground Zero. Vega worked there from September 18, 2001, until July 12, 2002, usually working the night shift (approximately 3:00 pm to 1:00 am). Among the responsibilities that Vega found most meaningful were the respectful recovery of human remains, as well as working at the site on Christmas Day 2001—a demonstration of his commitment to the 9/11 families still awaiting news about their missing loved ones.
By 2002, blood tests revealed that Vega and many of his colleagues had high levels of heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, and lead) present in their bodies, likely due to their time at Ground Zero. At the same time, many DDC employees were experiencing mental health complications arising from what they had witnessed onsite. Vega became an advocate for himself and his colleagues, first with the DDC and later before the United States Congress.
Vega later grew his service to the victims of 9/11 and their families by joining the Memorial & Museum staff, where he made a concerted effort to learn about victims who shared his Puerto Rican heritage. He also donated many objects to the Museum that he wore or used during his time at Ground Zero, including his DDC-issued hard hat and work boots.
By 2002, blood tests revealed that Vega and many of his colleagues had high levels of heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, and lead) present in their bodies, likely due to their time at Ground Zero. At the same time, many DDC employees were experiencing mental health complications arising from what they had witnessed onsite. Vega became an advocate for himself and his colleagues, first with the DDC and later before the United States Congress.
Vega later grew his service to the victims of 9/11 and their families by joining the Memorial & Museum staff, where he made a concerted effort to learn about victims who shared his Puerto Rican heritage. He also donated many objects to the Museum that he wore or used during his time at Ground Zero, including his DDC-issued hard hat and work boots.
- Accession Number: C.2023.60.1
- Dimensions: 29.5 in X 36 in X .5 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 74.93 cm X 91.44 cm X 1.27 cm
- Source: Ronaldo Vega
- Credit Line: Gift of Ronaldo Vega in memory of the fight for responder health benefits
Health EffectsNever Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. New York City Department of Design & Construction (DDC)Rescue and Recovery
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