This Story About What Steve Buscemi Did After The 9/11 Attacks Will Make You Want To Become A Better Person

When 9/11 happened I was in fourth grade. No one would tell us what was going on or why we suddenly couldn’t go outside for recess, though the rumor on the street was that some chick had gotten stung by bees and had to go to the hospital because of an allergic reaction. Upon arriving home that night, my parents informed my brother and I about what had happened, and fourth grade me did what most fourth graders do when they hear about something bad:

“Was anyone we know in the towers?”
“No.”
“Kay.”

–GOES OFF TO COLOR IN A BOOK OR SOME OTHER CAREFREE SHIT-

If I were to do that now it’d be insensitive and callous, but when you’re nine years old you can get away with a lot of shit.

Steve Buscemi, however, was not one to color in books when tragedy struck. Rather than host a stupid fundraiser, fly off to Haiti to put on airs that he’s a humanitarian or make a bunch of self-serving Instagram posts about how he’s “Never Forgetting,” Buscemi went back to work:

According to the Daily Good, it wasn’t until a full two years later that a post on the Brotherhood of Fire Facebook page divulged that the actor had teamed back up with his old NYC firehouse to help dig people out of the rubble:

Do you recognize this man? Do you know his name?

Lots of people know he’s an actor, and that his name is Steve Buscemi.

What very few people realize is that he was once one of New York’s Bravest.

In 1976 Steve Buscemi took the FDNY civil service test when he was just 18 years old.

In 1980 Steve Buscemi became a New York City Firefighter.

For four years, Buscemi served on one of FDNY’s busiest, Engine Co. 55 in Manhattan’s Little Italy. He later left the fire service to become a successful actor, writer and director.

After 9/11/2001… Brother Buscemi returned to FDNY Engine 55.

On September 12, 2001 and for several days following Brother Steve worked 12-hour shifts alongside other firefighters digging and sifting through the rubble from the World Trade Center looking for survivors.

Very few photographs and no interviews exist because he declined them. He wasn’t there for the publicity.

In 2003 he also gave a speech at a union rally supporting higher wages for firefighters and to stop fire houses from closing. He got arrested along with other firefighters.

Also not very well known is that in 2012 Brother Buscemi showed up in Breezy Point, NY and quietly assisted in the clean-up efforts of the damage and mass destruction left by Super Storm Sandy.

Once a brother, always a brother!

Just so we’re clear… this guy is a Badass !!!

We could all stand to be a little more like Steve – more action, and less talking about doing without any follow-through.

[H/T Unilad & Daily Good]