Time passes very quickly… No less than 25 years have passed since the firefighter Tim Duffy and his Dyna Super Glide Sport, were photographed by the photojournalist Allan Tannenbaum among the rubble of the South Tower, while trying to access the “Ground Zero” to help after the fateful attacks 9/11, 2001. The Harley-Davidson Museum comments that:
“In the days and months that followed, Tim continued to travel on his Dyna to Ground Zero to assist in the rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts. Over the years, Tim and his Dyna became symbols of resilience, service and the unbreakable spirit of those who answered the call when their country needed them most.. Now, his motorcycle will be on display at the Harley-Davidson Museum for its visitors to enjoy.
A story that went around the world
A quarter has passed since that iconic snapshot; However, Duffy and his Dyna Super Glide Sport have remained together ever since. As detailed by the Harley-Davidson Museum itself, after a serious accident that threatened to end their long-standing relationship of more than 25 years, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Old School Harley-Davidson in Ellington, Connecticut, they decided to restore the legendary custom to the millimeter with a single intention: “that Tim could drive it again one day.”
Coinciding with the 25th Anniversary of those days, the Harley-Davidson Museum created “The RIDE Home” an event full of solemnity and gratitude to Tim Duffy, Allan Tannenbaum and the Dyna Super Glide Sport. The three protagonists of that fateful 9/11 “they shared the story behind that photograph and the motorcycle that took Tim through the streets of New York that day”they say from the entity.
The Dyna Super Glide Sport already poses in the Museum
Now Tim’s motorcycle is on display in the brand’s museum, “where this powerful piece of history and its history can continue to be shared”conclude from the organization of this initiative. Parallel to this event, Tim gave an extensive interview the Wisconsin Public Radio where, among other things, Duffy explains in detail how those first hours passed after the attacks, at which time he was photographed on the Dyna Super Glide Sport.
“On September 11, 2001, New York City firefighter Tim Duffy was off-duty, tuning up his Harley. He had just removed a spark plug when he heard a loud explosion. Then the sound of sirens was heard. Duffy picked up the phone to call the fire department. He was on the phone with his wife when he watched from his kitchen window as the second plane hit the Twin Towers.”they comment from the local media.
“I grabbed a New York Fire Department t-shirt, put the spark plug back in, and got on my motorcycle.”Duffy explains. “My training told me that I had to go. New York City had never called up (off-duty firefighters), but I knew, working downtown, knowing the area, knowing those buildings, I knew that there were going to be many victims, and that any firefighter who could get in should get in.”he concludes.
Regarding the exact moment in which the image of Tim piloting the Dyna Super Glide Sport was captured, Allan Tannenbaum, author of the snapshot, states during the interview: “I heard a motorcycle, turned around and saw a firefighter in full uniform riding down Broadway on a Harley-Davidson. I took a picture of him, and that’s the picture of Tim Duffy.”. Without a doubt one of the most remembered stories of the tragic events that occurred that day. You can read the full interview by clicking here.
