Getting to Ground Zero — Honoring the Volunteers Who Helped America Rise Again

September 11, 2026

marks the 25th anniversary

of the horror known as 9/11.

Most of us experienced that painful day through our televisions, radios, phones, or computer screens. But while the nation watched in shock and sorrow, brave volunteers stepped forward to perform extraordinary acts of service, placing the needs of their communities and country ahead of their own safety.

As we approach this quarter-century remembrance of one of the darkest days in American history, I believe we must also honor the volunteers who helped carry America through those painful days that followed.

Real heroes.

Real sheroes.

Ordinary people

who answered

an extraordinary call.

Albert Davis’s Getting to Ground Zero: A Volunteer’s Story is not just a book — it is a living memory of what it took to help hold America together when everything seemed to be falling apart.

From the Introduction, I was rooted.

“September 11th –15th, 2001 I wanted to see it with my own eyes. That was my motivation. Heavily guarded police perimeters that had quickly been set up, within hours, miles from Ground Zero, prevented me from getting anywhere close. Even the press was restricted from seeing many areas. Becoming a volunteer seemed to be the answer. Ironically, all over the city, volunteers were turned away, in what must have been record numbers. In spite of the obstacles many citizens did become volunteers and some volunteers managed to get all the way downtown to Ground Zero. I was one of them.”

— Albert Davis, Getting to Ground Zero: A Volunteer’s Story

This is not history told from a distance.

This is history written from the dust, the smoke and the human heartbeat of Ground Zero.

Davis brings us into those early days after 9/11, when ordinary people stepped forward in extraordinary ways, joining firefighters, ironworkers, medics, police officers and construction workers who descended on the site to help however they could.

What this book captures so powerfully is the spirit of service: people forming bucket brigades, searching through rubble, working through exhaustion, grief, confusion, fear and danger.

These were not just rescue efforts.

They were acts of love.
Acts of unity.
Acts of determination in the face of unimaginable loss.

Too often, the story of 9/11 focuses only on the moment of destruction. Albert Davis reminds us of what came next:

The volunteers who stayed,

Who labored in toxic conditions,

Who sacrificed their bodies and peace of mind,

Who paid a long-term price for that service.

Many later suffered from what is now known as World Trade Center illness, lasting health consequences caused by exposure during the recovery effort.

And that is why this book matters so deeply.

It honors not only what was lost,

but also what was given.

Not for fame.

Not for profit.

Not for recognition.

But because human beings saw suffering and answered the call for help.

Those volunteers reported to the front lines of a different kind of battlefield, one filled not with enemies, but with grief, smoke, rubble, heartbreak, courage and hope.

I am especially grateful that Albert Davis is still here to tell this story.

That alone makes this book a blessing, because so many who stood beside him are no longer with us.

His voice stands as a living reminder of what it meant for Americans to come together during one of the most painful moments in our nation’s history — helping all of us find a way to rise again.

As we approach this 25th anniversary of 9/11, I invite everyone reading this to share ideas on how we can best honor the quiet, selfless work of the 'grand and glorious' volunteers who stepped forward during that time and beyond.

They deserve a special place in our remembrance too.

We remember the fallen.

We honor the responders.

And through voices like Albert Davis,

we make sure their truth is never lost.

Nothing Is Impossible: Reimagining A.I. Infrastructure for a Better Planet

Nothing is impossible — not even balancing technological advancement with environmental responsibility. 

Artificial Intelligence is becoming one of the most powerful tools humanity has ever created. Yet the infrastructure supporting A.I., especially massive data centers, is creating serious environmental concerns involving:

• Extreme electricity consumption
• Heavy water usage for cooling
• Noise pollution
• Heat generation
• Electronic waste
• Land use pressures
• Questions about long-term electromagnetic exposure and environmental impact

At the same time, A.I. is too valuable to abandon. The challenge is not whether A.I. should exist, it is how to build the systems supporting it responsibly.

One possible direction is the development of environmentally conscious next-generation data centers using advanced construction methods and sustainable materials.

Imagine data centers built with:

• 3D construction printing for speed, precision, reduced labor danger, and reduced waste
• Hempcrete for fire resistance, insulation, carbon storage, and sound dampening
• ABS hemp plastic composite wall layers for waterproofing, durability, and structural protection
• Integrated soundproofing designed to recording studio standards
• Atmospheric water generation systems (“water from air”) to reduce strain on local water supplies
• Dual clean-energy systems combining solar, geothermal, hydro, wind, and future experimental energy systems
• Faraday shielding integrated into the building structure to reduce electromagnetic leakage and protect sensitive electronics
• Rural placement strategies paired with sustainable agriculture and local workforce development

The goal is not simply to build more data centers. The goal is to build intelligent infrastructure that works in harmony with the environment, people and technology.

Many of these technologies already exist individually. The opportunity is integrating them into one coherent environmental design strategy.

Humanity and A.I. working together responsibly could help solve problems that once seemed impossible.

We cannot afford the luxury of a technologically advanced but environmentally careless world.

Further research:

• Automate Construction (Jarett Gross)
3D construction printing education, robotics, and automated building systems.

• ICON 3D Printed Homes

One of the leading companies building real-world 3D printed structures.

• Hempitecture
Research and development involving hemp-based building materials.

• U.S. Hemp Building Foundation
Information about hempcrete standards, education, and sustainable construction.

• Warka Water
Atmospheric water harvesting concepts and systems.

• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – Data Center Energy Research
Research into reducing energy use and environmental impacts of data centers.

• International Energy Agency – Energy and AI/Data Centers
Research on the growing energy demands of A.I. infrastructure.

• The Linux Foundation – Open Sustainable Technology
Open technology approaches to sustainability and infrastructure innovation.

Two more heroes:

• The Moses West Foundation
Founded by veteran and atmospheric water generation pioneer Moses West, the organization develops mobile “water from air” systems that extract clean drinking water directly from atmospheric humidity. The technology has been deployed in disaster relief zones, underserved communities, and emergency response operations as an alternative water resilience strategy where traditional infrastructure is limited or compromised.

• Hemp Traders
Founded by hemp pioneer Larry Serbin, Hemp Traders has been one of the longest-running suppliers and advocates of industrial hemp products in the United States. The company has helped educate the public and emerging industries about the practical uses of hemp in textiles, composites, construction materials, paper, food, body care products, and environmentally sustainable manufacturing. Hemp Traders has also played an important role in preserving and expanding awareness of hemp as a renewable agricultural resource with applications in green building and ecological infrastructure development.

Post your thoughts both on this environmentally conscious solution and pratical ways to implement it, i.e. sufficiently vetted to reach International Building Codes standards.