Triumph Over Terror

by Bob Ossler, Janice Hall Heck, Tim Shoemaker (Foreword by)

Overview

Are you searching for comfort and wondering, “Where is God?” amidst terror and turmoil?

The day that changed the world—September 11, 2001—propelled America into the long war, the Global War on Terror. Like many Americans who serve our country, Chaplain Bob Ossler donned his firefighter turn-out gear, boarded a plane, and made his way to Manhattan to help in any way possible. He was escorted onto the smoldering, quaking heap, dubbed “The Pile.” Entering into the Gates of Hell—the crematorium and morgue for nearly 3000 beloved souls—an electrifying chill of horror shot through him.

Trained as a professional first responder, Ossler served five tours of duty during the cleanup at Ground Zero after 9/11. His eyewitness vignettes recount the questions, fears, struggles, and sacrifices of the families and workers overwhelmed by despair. Chaplain Ossler conducted over 300 mini-memorials for the fragmentary remains carried off the Pile. He comforted the mourners, the frightened, and the heartbroken laborers sifting through millions of tons of carnage for the remains of their faith, their friends, and the unknown dead.

From the broken fragments of glass, steel, and men, Ossler’s mosaic of God’s grace unveils the outpouring of generosity, heroism, and unity from people who stepped up to do “something.” Chaplain Ossler honors the ultimate sacrifice and bravery of first responders who rush toward terror to save lives.

What do Chaplain Ossler’s insights reveal about finding meaning and purpose in the thick of chaos and personal tragedy? Ossler chronicles the best of humanity—acts of courage and goodness in the midst of unimaginable devastation. As terrorist attacks continue to assault humanity, Triumph Over Terror reveals how your spirit can triumph over terror’s reign, and how you can help those suffering from trauma and loss.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683550044
Publisher:	Blackside Publishing
Publication date:	09/03/2016
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.58(d)

Table of Contents

Dedication
Epigraph
Advance Praise for Triumph Over Terror
Foreword by Tim Shoemaker
Preface
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Section 1: The Gates of Hell
1. Compelled to Help in Any Way I Can
2. Missing Persons: Have You Seen Me?
3. Sweeper Man's Hopeless Task
4. 102 Minutes That Changed the World
5. What on Earth Am I Doing in This Hell?
Section 2: Mission Almost Impossible
6. Heaven's Outpost in the Midst of Hell
7. Ground Zero Crosses
8. Ground Zero Heroes
9. Serving on the Perimeter and the Pile
Section 3: Ministering in the Mess
10. Prayer-walking the Perimeter
11. Fadda Fadda, Can We Talk?
12. Bible Verse of the Day
13. The Girl Who Was Crushed in Spirit
14. The Girl Who Needed Boots
Section 4: The World's Biggest Crime Scene
15. Rescue and Recovery
16. I'm Sorry, Son
17. Waiting for Recoveries
18. Follow the Flies
19. Postcards from Hell
20. The President, The Mayor, The Governor, The Politician
Section 5: The Heart of the Matter
21. Hard Shells, Soft Hearts
22. The Cynic
23. The Mocker
24. Loving Others, No Matter What
Section 6: Comfort the Brokenhearted
25. Mourners at Ground Zero
26. Silent Man's Torment
27. Cell Phone Girl's Guilt
28. Mother Is Waiting
29. Fear of Flying
Section 7: Hope in the Midst of Tragedy
30. Big Daddy Answers Prayer
31. Candle Man: Sad Man, Big Heart
32. A Little Child's Gift
Section 8: Rescue for the Rescuers
33. Angels of Mercy Answer the Call
34. Relieving Aches and Pains
35. Coffee, Lasagna, and Black Olives
36. Who Brushes a Dog's Teeth?
37. New Underwear, Anyone?
38. Someone Is Sleeping in My Bed
Section 9: Caregiver Fatigue
39. Sanctuary for Chaplains
40. Spilling and Mopping: Releasing Our Laments
41. Wise Counsel, Conflicting Opinions
42. Exhausted Lord, But Ready
43. My Self-Pity Party
44. Holding Myself Together
45. I'm Done: My Last Night at Ground Zero
46. Home at Last
Section 10: Comforter of Our Significant Sorrow
47. Finding God's Message in the Wreckage
48. Where Was God?
49. Triumph Over Terror
50. Moving Forward After Tragedy
51. Finding Purpose Again
52. Honoring the Fallen: 343 Pairs of Boots
53. Closing the Circle
About the Authors
Appendix A: Chaplain's Toolbox: Spiritual Resources
My Bible: My Comfort in Suffering
My Bible: Guidance for Everyday Living
My Bible: Hope for Eternity
Life Lessons about Suffering, Troubles, and Hope
Joseph: Betrayed by Family
Job: Devastated by Loss
David: Troubled by Conflict
James: Joy in Trials and Difficult Times
Prayer: A.C.T.S.: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
From the Unanswerable "Why" of Crisis to the Comfort of Faith
Appendix B: Chaplain's Toolbox: Practical How-to's
Role of Chaplains
Chaplain Certification
Chaplain's Self-Care in Crisis
How to Address People's Physical Needs in Crisis
How to Respond to People's Emotional and Spiritual Needs in Crisis
How to L.I.S.T.E.N. to People in Crisis: 6 Practical Tip
How to Respond to Suffering and Grief
How Do People Grieve?
How to Help a Grieving Person
How to Speak from the Heart
What Not to Say: Comments That May Trigger Pain
Appendix C: Recommended Resources
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"Triumph Over Terror by Bob Ossler can be summed up in one word: Powerful. We've all seen the images of 9/11. Even though they were hard to look at, we could not turn our eyes away. So I braced myself to read Bob's book, not wanting to remember those images and experience the pain of 9/11 all over again. I intended to take just a minute to see how Bob began his book but got hooked on the first page and just kept reading. This book is full of life lessons."-Tim Shoemaker, author of Super Husband, Super Dad and The Code of Silence Series

"I heard Chaplain Bob Ossler speak at Ground Zero at mini-memorial services for those who died on 9-11. I watched him in the aftermath of the loss of the Granite Mountain Hotshots (19 firefighters killed at the Yarnell, AZ wildfires in 2013) where he offered comfort to the immediate family members who lost loved ones. I personally leaned heavily on him after the drowning of a 6-year-old boy in a flash flood in 2010 that I refer to as the most difficult call in my 35-year career. Chaplain Bob is a consummate professional who uses his experiences, faith, and compassion to assist others in their time of need. I am proud to call him my fellow firefighter, my Chaplain, and my friend."-Glenn W. Brown, Fire Chief, Mayer, AZ Fire Department


"Knowing Bob and reading these 9/11 stories in Triumph Over Terror made me imagine being right there with him on the Pile. I'm so proud written his memories down in such a powerful yet gentle way. I read and wept through many of them. Prepare to immerse yourself in Bob's words of human kindness, inspiration, and compassion."-Tom Ashcraft, Father of a Granite Mountain, Hot Shot Firefighter killed in 2013 Arizona wildfires

"Chaplain Bob Ossler deserves special honors. He's a man who has poured out his life in service to others, including the men and women emergency workers helping put America back together in the aftermath of 9/11 at Ground Zero. This book gives us a glimpse into what it was like to work at Ground Zero and shows where God is during trials and how He responds."-Megan Breedlove, author of Chaotic Joy: Finding Abundance in the Messiness of Motherhood

"I had the blessing of getting to know Chaplain Bob Ossler for a short time as he ministered to workers on the Pile and to families of victims at 9/11's Ground Zero. Chaplain Bob, one of the unsung heroes of 9/11, performed more than 300 mini-services for families who lost loved ones in the 7-story pile of agony that resulted from terrorist attacks. Triumph Over Terror takes us back and shows the need for a kinder, gentler world."-Lesley Visser, Football Hall of Fame Sportscaster

"Chaplain Bob Ossler has been in the rescue business for a long time as a firefighter, paramedic, and ordained minister. He is uniquely gifted in ministering to those who are hurting, so everyone expected him to respond to the call for chaplains after the 9/11 tragedy. But even with all his training and experience in crisis situations, the emotional toll on him was great. When you read this book, you 'll experience 9/11 in a deeply personal way, and you will see inside the heart of a man who deeply cares for others."-Sal Roggio, Pastor

"People always want Bob to speak about his experiences at Ground Zero, but few know how hard that is on a person's mental health. I now understand [after the deaths of nineteen firefighters in the Granite Mountain wildfires in Arizona in 2013]. Thank you, Bob, you have been my inspiration to continue to care for our firefighter families, raise money for the families of 9/11, and honor the words spoken by so many others: 'We will never forget; we remember every day.'"-Tom Haney, President of the United Yavapai, Firefighters IAFF Local 3066, Vice President of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona (PFFA), Fire Captain/Paramedic Mayer Fire District, Mayer, Arizona

From the Publisher