Knowing their lives would be in peril working in an area described as a war zone, Jimmy Young and Chris Cerci, two Engine 10 McKeesport firefighters, pressed eastward on Interstate 80 toward the terror-stricken city. "We did not know if we were coming back," Young said while driving back to the scene two years later. Chris and I both told our wives that we may not be back.” Neither Young nor Cerci knew where to start when they arrived in New York early Sept. 13, 2001. Both started a staging area just right of the Hudson River Parkway when Young made a decision. "We knew if we stayed at the staging area, we might get turned back." Young said. By pure fate, Young drove his vehicle in the direction of Engine 24, Ladder 5 in Greenwich Village, where an amazing coincidence awaited both McKeesport firefighters. I looked up on the wall and just knew.'' Cerci said. "I told Jimmy that he needed to come over and take a look at this.” On the wall were pictures of three firefighters who died fighting a blaze in March 1994, from Engine 24 Ladder 5. Capt. John Drennan, Chris Seidenberg, and James Young perished in the fire and were immortalized throughout the firehouse. "It was unbelievable," Young said. "Knowing that a Jimmy Young had served here. Chris was amazed as well. "To have a Jimmy and a Chris show up here was amazing," Cerci said. "After we told everyone who we were, they just took us in." Both Young and Cerci im¬mediately began in the rescue efforts at the remains of the World Trade Center. Working side-by-side with members of the Fire Department of New York, Young and Cerci put their lives in danger and earned the respect of Engine 24. "They put forth a Herculean effort." Engine 24 Capt. Anthony Varialli said. Both of them went above and be¬yond the call of duty. I will forever remember them for their efforts."