Salvation Army veteran recounts 9/11 service, cancer fight, and enduring conviction

Twenty-five years after the devastating attacks of September 11, Ken Tregellas, a dedicated responder for The Salvation Army, continues to reflect on his profound experience at Ground Zero. Despite facing a severe cancer battle years later, Tregellas maintains that his service during that critical period was an unparalleled honor, a conviction he has shared with his children and holds deeply.

His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable tragedy and the lasting personal sacrifices made by those who rushed to aid. His journey from a quiet Tuesday morning in Wisconsin to the heart of the disaster zone in Lower Manhattan underscores the immediate and widespread impact of the attacks, and the call to duty felt by many.

A life-altering call to Ground Zero

The morning of September 11, 2001, began like any other for Tregellas, who was preparing his twin children for school in Wisconsin. The initial reports of a plane striking the North Tower of the World Trade Center brought confusion, but the subsequent impact on the second tower by United Flight 175 made it undeniably clear: America was under attack. Within hours, his phone rang, presenting an opportunity that would forever alter his life’s trajectory.

Having previously managed The Salvation Army’s emergency assistance programs in various underserved communities, Tregellas was uniquely qualified. When asked to serve as the Red Zone coordinator at Ground Zero, he recognized the immediate necessity of his deployment. Flights had just resumed, and he embarked on a journey to New York City, a place he had never visited, on a nearly empty plane, heading towards an unprecedented scene.

Providing solace amidst the devastation

Upon arriving in Lower Manhattan, Tregellas was confronted with a sight unlike anything he had ever witnessed. The air was thick with smoke, continuously rising from the mangled wreckage of the World Trade Center. The massive pile of debris still smoldered, a stark reminder of the immense destruction. His role as the Red Zone coordinator involved overseeing all of The Salvation Army’s critical operations on site.

The primary mission was to support individuals engaged in the arduous search and recovery efforts, often looking for remains of loved ones. The Salvation Army established a crucial support hub at the site, featuring six tents that offered a much-needed refuge for weary responders. These facilities provided vital services:

• Makeshift cafeterias offering warm meals.
• Sleeping areas for essential rest.
• Replacement boots and clothing for those whose gear was damaged by the intense heat.
• Opportunities for workers to talk and process their experiences.
• Counseling services to address emotional trauma.
• Spiritual relief and round-the-clock prayer.

Tregellas highlighted that their mission extended far beyond basic physical needs, encompassing comprehensive emotional and spiritual care. The site also saw a diverse influx of people, including families from across the globe, desperately seeking information about their missing relatives, often requiring interpreters to navigate the complex situation.

A profound shift in perspective on loss

The sheer scale of human loss and devastation Tregellas witnessed at Ground Zero left an indelible mark on him, profoundly altering his perception of tragedy. Despite nearly 32 years of service with The Salvation Army and encountering numerous heartbreaking situations, the experience in New York reshaped his emotional framework. Returning to assist in other disaster zones, such as flood-ravaged communities where people had lost homes and possessions, he found himself struggling with empathy.

He acknowledged the immense pain of losing material possessions but privately grappled with an internal comparison to the catastrophic loss of life on September 11. “That’s just stuff, you didn’t lose your life,” he recalled thinking, a sentiment that made it challenging to fully connect with other forms of suffering. This profound shift in perspective, where all other losses seemed to pale in comparison to the human cost of 9/11, became a significant personal struggle for him.

A decade later: The personal cost emerges

Ten years after his dedicated service at Ground Zero, Tregellas unexpectedly became part of the growing statistics of 9/11 responders facing severe health consequences. When he began experiencing difficulty eating and swallowing, he sought medical attention without suspecting the gravity of his symptoms. Doctors soon discovered cancer in his tonsils, marking the beginning of a challenging health battle.

His condition quickly progressed to a diagnosis of stage 4 mantle B-cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The subsequent treatment regimen was intense, involving approximately eight months of chemotherapy and extended hospital stays. This personal ordeal mirrors a broader crisis, as cancer certifications linked to 9/11 exposure have surged dramatically, from 3,204 in 2015 to 57,044 in the current year, affecting workers, survivors, and Manhattan residents, as reported by The New York Post.

The Victims Compensation Fund has consistently highlighted cancer as one of the most enduring and devastating health consequences for those exposed to the toxic environment of Ground Zero. Despite the immense personal cost and the arduous fight against cancer, Tregellas’s unwavering belief in the honor and necessity of his service remains a powerful testament to his sacrifice.