New York Customhouse smoldering in wake of terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Towers.

At this writing, 344 people are known to have died at the World Trade Center; the number missing is at least 5,756, a sum that includes victims from more than 60 nations. One hundred and eighty-nine people died at the Pentagon. Two hundred and sixty-five people died aboard the four commercial planes.

But the esprit de corps, generosity, heroism, personal sacrifice, and political unity spawned by that single act have been immediate. Even as the meltdown of three of the nation's best-known icons - symbols of military might, economic preeminence, of America's very way of life - was in progress, the recovery effort had begun.

New York City lost more than 300 emergency personnel, primarily firefighters, who rushed into buildings to rescue others - immediately, on auto pilot, with no apparent concerns for their own safety. It took more than 24 hours to put out the fires at the Pentagon, and very few fire hoses, if any, extend 110 stories. In addition to the twin towers, the terrorist attack leveled a 22-story World Trade Center hotel and Trade Center Building 7.

Building 6, only 40 feet from Tower 1, housed the Customs Service. Building 6 suffered a complete internal collapse; it's now a burned-out shell. But - the 760 Customs employees, and the 40 or so employees who had been attending a seminar there, all got out safely.

And like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, many were back at work within hours.

The entire Customs Service is currently at a Level One alert, the highest state of security alert, which calls for the maximum level of passenger, cargo, and conveyance examination. Along with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Border Patrol, we are providing sustained, intensive anti-terrorism operations at land borders and airports. The Office of Field Operations has reassigned 380 inspectors to 19 international airports around the country to strengthen the already heightened security measures being implemented by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Aviation Administration. On top of that, 98 inspectors have been reassigned to land ports along the northern border to enhance Level One alert levels there.

September 11, 2001.
Eyewitness testimonials from Customs employees in New York:

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte High resolution photo Aerial view of the aftermath of World Trade Center Towers collapse. NY Customhouse is pictured left center with hole in middle. The first explosion sounded and felt like a bomb. We looked up and saw giant holes in 1 WTC, which is the building right next to mine. Some people were saying there had been a plane crash... It never crossed my mind that the whole building could collapse... I looked back and saw the explosion of 2 WTC. I didn't see the plane, just the explosion. It was more horrible than words could ever describe. The building was made of silver metal, and the explosion sent shards of silver debris cascading down like fireworks around the building. I worried that I was in the middle of a full-scale attack. I just wanted to get away from Manhattan, but there was no escape from the island. The bridges and tunnels were closed, and I suspected that the ferry was not running. So I turned back uptown and walked and walked... Thank you for being so concerned about me. I feel so lucky. - Joan Mazzola, National Import Specialist Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte High resolution photo View of southwest corner of New York Customhouse. It was not I who 'ordered' the evacuation of 6 World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001. I didn't have to do that, the employees 'ordered' their own evacuation and they accomplished that task in record time. I did not have time to 'order' an evacuation and, if I had, there would have been no one left to follow that order. We had many drills and tests over the years in regard to emergency situations and our people, thankfully, were well schooled. -John Martuge, Director, Field Operations Photo Credit: James Tourtellote High resolution photo Special Agent Andrew Danchuk surveys damage to the New York Customhouse at 6 World Trade Center. Fellow citizens, we will meet violence with patient justice, assured of the rightness of our cause and confident of the victories to come. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. - President George W. Bush

Homeland Security
In September 26, 2001, Commissioner Bonner addressed Customs employees at Headquarters (and others via satellite broadcast) saying, "As the monstrous terrorist acts of September 11 showed, the basic freedoms we had come to take for granted as Americans are under seige."

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte High resolution photo Customs Blackhawk from Tucson Air Branch at Dover A.F.B. to provide air security.	Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte Vigilant Customs Inspector Scott Robinson doing his part to ensure passenger safety at Washington/ Dulles Airport.

"On that dark and infamous day, our citizens, our nation came under attack…our economy came under attack … our democratic way of life came under attack from the enemies of a civilized world." "As the guardian of our nation's borders, the Customs Service has a major part to play in this great struggle. We are a vital link in the chain of Homeland Security. For this is a campaign that will take place not just overseas, but all across America. Our people have mobilized across the country and, despite adversity, carried on their work in the very best tradition of this agency..." "It is in the name of those victims that our New York employees, some of whom lost friends and family in the attacks, are valiantly carrying on the mission of Customs and renewing the purpose of their work. I was deeply impressed by their spirit and determination. Indeed, the example they have set should serve as inspiration to us all when, at times, the tasks ahead seem overwhelming."

"Now more than ever, we must come together as an organization to advance the urgent cause at hand."

Relocation Information The employees that worked at Building 6 of the World Trade Center were recently relocated to various locations and existing facilities at JFK Airport and Port Elizabeth, New Jersey. The addresses and contact number of the two existing facilities are as follows: JFK Airport Building 77, JFK Airport Jamaica, New York 11430 Additional information may be obtained at (718) 553-1750 NY/Newark Area 1210 Corbin Street Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201 Additional information may be obtained at (201) 443-0200 The following office are being relocated to the New York Strategic Trade Center: NY Customs Management Center (Director, Field Operations Mission Support Staff Operations Staff); National Commodity Specialist Division; Associate Chief Counsel; NY Strategic Trade Center; Field Intelligence Unit/Northeast; National Analysis Specialist Division; Ferdinand Gallozzi Library; Customs Information Exchange; Public Affairs Office; EEO Office; Labor and Employee Relations Staff; and National Safety & Occupational Specialist Strategic Trade Center 1 Penn Plaza, 11th Floor New York, New York 10119 Additional information may be obtained at (201) 443-0110 The address and phone number for the New York Laboratory office is as follows: U.S. Customs Service C/O FDA158-15 Liberty Avenue Jamaica, New York 11433 Additional information may be obtained at (718) 662-5800 More information and updates related to the events of September 11 have been posted to our Web Site. Employees with access to the Internet are encouraged to check the site for news on Customs operations.