NEW YORK CITY, USA, September 11, 2002 — Frank was one of the 5,000 labourers who was devastated by what they encountered after the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed last September 11, in the terrorist attacks on New York City.
Frank spent long gruesome hours digging for human remains. But on the third day he also found a remarkable 20' cross of steel beams which fell intact when the north tower imploded. The cross landed almost upright amid the smoking ruins.
"In the midst of all the sorrow, I discovered a glimmer of hope when I found the solid steel cross in a heap of rubble. By the sign of the cross, God spoke to my heart and showed me that everything somehow was going to be all right."
A portion of wall still standing in the rubble at Ground Zero
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I've been through hell. I've seen hell on the inside. It's a raw force. I have no desire to see it for all eternity," Frank told the Canadian Bible Society in a recent phone interview. "Now I've seen God's healing at Ground Zero."
Frank worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week for months after the attack. On July 1st, the back-breaking, soul-searing work came to a halt. Now Frank relishes the time he can spend with his family, particularly his 11-year-old son and his 21-year-old stepdaughter.
His young son especially had felt deserted while his father worked overtime, almost without a break. But now they have time to play catch. They even vacationed for a few days in California, when some churches invited Frank to speak there. "Walking on the beach with my son was precious." And his son told him, "I couldn't be prouder of you, Dad."
After the terrorist attacks, Ground Zero became for Frank and many Americans "sacred" ground.
Atheists have sent Frank hate mail but Frank doesn't lose hope. "God has been by my side through the whole business. He's my personal Saviour and my reward is proclaiming God's healing."
Ground Zero Cross found by Frank Silecchia
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Despite all his mental anguish, Frank often returns to Ground Zero and whenever he does, he looks at the cross he found among the rubble. It has now been erected on the high walkway over West Street. "I never loose sight of that cross. It's what's held me together. God is proclaimed at Ground Zero."
Frank believes we need to bring "all our sorrows and burdens to the cross, all our pain and suffering. Jesus had heart. He cared. God is still here helping people."
In the middle of August, Frank was invited to attended a memorial for Kevin Williams, one of the three thousand victims of the New York attack. A park on Long Island was dedicated to the father of two.
On the first anniversary of the devastation, Frank will be back at Ground Zero for the city's memorial service. "I don't know better how to honour those who lost their lives there. I'll be there all day."
"The terrorists hoped to bring chaos and turmoil to our country. Instead their attack only fortified our strength and camaraderie. The sight of the cross has brought comfort to tons of people."
In April of 1987, Frank accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. Now he urges others to on his website at <www.wtcgodshouse.com>.
"I've been to hell and back. Heaven's always looked better to me," Frank declares in his thick New York accent. "The foundation of our country may have been shaken but God's foundation has not."
Source: Sue Careless, Bible Network News
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