Oklahoma Volunteer Remembers Ground Zero

When the September 11th terrorist attacks happened, volunteers from Oklahoma were quick to answer the call for help. Some gave blood, others donated money. Oklahoma also sent people to help at Ground

Monday, September 11th 2006, 9:50 am

By: News On 6

When the September 11th terrorist attacks happened, volunteers from Oklahoma were quick to answer the call for help. Some gave blood, others donated money. Oklahoma also sent people to help at Ground Zero.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day talked with a man about his memories of going to New York City.

Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Teams have helped all over the world. Hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, Iraq, Afghanistan and they've also touched lives at Ground Zero. Dick Blodgett says it doesn't seem like five years since the September 11th terrorist attacks. He saw Ground Zero for himself, while working as a volunteer. "I just want to serve. If I can make a little bit of difference, I want to."

Blodgett was in New York City a few months after 9-11 with a group of Oklahomans who belong to the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team. He worked in a tent kitchen, serving meals each day to relief workers and emergency personnel. "At a certain time, we would just shut down breakfast and start serving lunch. And it was constantly people moving through."

While the recovery efforts and debris removal were underway, Blodgett says he got a chance to meet many touched by 9-11. "One of the things that comes to mind is that I visited with an older gentleman who had lost two sons."

Despite the demanding, trying and sorrow filled environment, Blodgett saw working at Ground Zero as a chance to help those in need and to spread the gospel. He says he would leave tomorrow if called on again. "If you can do just a little bit. You realize that you're making a little bit of difference. It was an opportunity that I thank God I had the chance to do."

As part of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team, Blodgett and other volunteers served more than 5,000 meals each day at Ground Zero. He's also been to Nicaragua, Mexico and Romania, as well as a number of areas in need in the U.S.

In fact, he got back from helping with recovery efforts in New Orleans only a few weeks ago.