Former NYC fire captain: I lost 105 of my friends on 9/11

On Sunday people in Flagler County paid their respects to the victims and survivors of the 9/11 attacks. 

• September 11, 2001 - 15 years later
• Nearly 3,000 people died during the attacks

From the music, to the prayers, to the ringing of the bell for the lives lost on 9/11, ceremonies never get easy for those forever impacted.

"I lost 105 of my friends that day. I was supposed to be working but one of my lieutenants worked for me, otherwise I'd be on that long list," said Captain Richard Meo, former NYC fire captain.

• RELATED
  • Marking 15 years since 9/11, 'the grief never goes away'
  • 9/11 attacks: United 93 victims remembered
    
  • Thousands of flags placed in Orlando to remember 9/11
  • Demings: 9/11 helped law enforcement with Pulse response
  • Tribute in Winter Haven honors 9/11 heroes

But Captain Meo said he still had to deal with what followed the attacks.

"I can't even begin to tell you what we lost on 9/11. It's just some of the best people you'll ever meet in your life," said Meo.

 Memorial ceremonies were held across the nation to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost.

Captain Meo saw the destruction in person but some people who attended the events watched it unfold on television 15 years ago.

Joan King said she and her late husband watched as their friends battled for their lives on TV.

"When the first tower started to collapse and the firemen went in, he knew they weren't coming out. It was so sad. We knew quite a few of them. Some of them were older, some of them were younger," said King.

Captain Meo said more than 1,000 bodies were never recovered, though they spent days searching through debris.

"It was a terrible day in history, absolutely horrible," said King.

"I've never gone back to the Trade Center site. I can't do it. It's too many friends that got killed there, too much pain," said Meo.

But he said he'll never forget the job they have done.

"The responders who went in did their duty," said Meo.