Vincent Caprio, an Easton resident who spent more than 400 hours at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was recently honored by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal for his bravery and continued advocacy for 9/11 survivors.
In a letter dated July 10, Blumenthal thanked Caprio for “the bravery and valor you demonstrated on September 11, 2001,” and praised his “continued advocacy for strengthening the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program and the Victims Compensation Fund.” The senator pledged his support for protecting and expanding those programs and said he looked forward to meeting again when Caprio travels to Washington in September.
Caprio, a trained emergency medical technician, was attending a conference at the Marriott World Trade Center when the towers were struck. He stayed at the site for 22 straight hours and returned repeatedly in the months that followed to assist in the recovery effort.
Earlier this year, Caprio received a state citation presented by state Rep. Anne Hughes during a ceremony at the University of Saint Joseph. Hughes praised him as a voice for first responders who were not initially covered by federal benefit programs and have had to fight for recognition.
Caprio also works closely with the Voices Center for Resilience, a New Canaan-based nonprofit founded by Mary Fetchet, whose son Brad died in the attacks. The group supports mental health services for families, survivors and responders.
Caprio said the recognitions give him “a platform to show what is going on in the lives of other Sept. 11 survivors and first responders,” many of whom continue to battle serious medical and mental health conditions more than two decades after the attacks.
