KEN SAKAMOTO / KSAKAMOTO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Marine Corps reserve Maj. Jay Curry was among those who
assisted with rescue efforts at the World Trade Center in
the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

New York City mission
touches isle reservist

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By Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.com

A Marine Corps reserve officer who spent five days sifting through the rubble for survivors at the World Trade Center says he is still trying to sort through his feelings.

Maj. Jay Curry, a New York state trooper for eight years, reported to "ground zero" three days after hijackers flew two commercial jetliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. He was a member of the state's mobile response team, which had specialties including search and rescue.

For five long days and nights Curry, 36, was part of the team of police, fire and emergency workers who searched the piles of rubble for signs of life.

"We were looking for small spots where people might be," Curry said.

At one point, video cameras were attached to the ends of 12-foot long poles to probe areas where rescue workers couldn't get to.

The 12-year Marine Corps veteran said at times he could almost identify with the victims as he found personal items such as photographs or identification cards.

"When you talk about pictures," Curry said, "it's hard not to get connected."

One of the sergeants in his unit picked up a wedding photo and found it hard to put it back down. All personal items eventually were set aside so friends and relatives could reclaim them, Curry said.

That incident moved Curry to volunteer to be placed on active duty. He reported to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, where he holds a wartime position of logistician. He has held the Kaneohe Marine Corps reserve position for nearly five years.

"I also thought they could use my expertise as a law enforcement officer," Curry said.

He arrived at Kaneohe on Monday and is expected to remain on active duty for nearly six months.

Curry said the sight on television of the smoldering rubble of what was once the World Trade Center brought "a big lump" to his throat.

But as his team neared the destruction in person, the "magnitude was unbelievable."

He believes someone should be held accountable for the destruction that cost the lives of more than 6,000 people.

Curry, who served in the Gulf War, said "the training anyone in the military receives, regardless of their branch, is adequate to deal with what lies ahead. You're properly trained. It will kick in if you let it."

Curry said what he noticed at ground zero was that "everyone there is united ... It makes me feel good that everyone is pulling together."