9/11 First Responder’s Untold Story Returns as the Nation Marks the 25th Anniversary of the Attacks

San Francisco, California Aug 13, 2026 (Issuewire.com) As the nation prepares to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, author Neil Adams is bringing renewed attention to a story that deserves to be told, the life of Michael Dorian, a New Yorker whose journey from the streets to Ground Zero is as complicated as it is remarkable.

From the Pile: A 9-11 First Responder’s Story is a deeply personal account of a man who risked his life on September 11th to come to the aid of his city, a hero, in every sense of the word. But Michael’s story didn’t begin or end at Ground Zero. Rescued from a life heading toward crime and hardship, Michael rebuilt himself into a responsible citizen, only to face painful battles in his search for happiness and belonging. What happened in the years after that devastating day would lead him to local notoriety, acclaim and ultimately, a message he desperately wanted the world to hear.

“He lived a shortened but colorful life,” Adams writes. “And he had a message to impart in his hope that more lives can still be saved.”

A Story for This Moment

Twenty-five years after the attacks on the World Trade Center, the stories of those who ran toward the towers, not away from them deserve more than a moment of silence. They deserve to be remembered in full, with all the complexity, courage, and contradiction that made them human.

From the Pile does exactly that. It does not offer a sanitized portrait of heroism. It tells the truth about a man who was flawed, resilient, and ultimately selfless, a man whose life before and after 9/11 is as much a part of his legacy as the day he answered the call.

Hear Neil Adams Tell the Story

Neil Adams has been sharing Michael’s story on podcasts and interviews across the country. Listen here:

• YouTube Interview: youtube.com/watch?v=QjRdoQzqnSg
• The Things We Love the Most Give Us The… (Apple Podcasts): Listen here
• 40 Plus Gay Men Gay Talk iHeart Radio “He Was HIV Positive and Ran Toward Ground Zero Anyway”: Listen here

About the Author

Neil Adams is a sales professional with nearly forty years of experience and a leader in the San Francisco Bay Area’s Special Events Industry for over twenty years. He has served on numerous industry association boards, including two terms as President and one as Regional Vice President. A former actor and singer who comes from a family of writers, From the Pile is his debut book.

About the Book

From the Pile: A 9-11 First Responder’s Story is available now on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats, and on Audible as an audiobook.

Learn more and order your copy: www.readneiladams.com