Joseph Dalton Interview

Joseph “Joe” Dalton (1942-) discusses a respite program in Saratoga Springs for firefighters and police from New York City who responded to 9/11 terrorist attacks. The program’s purpose was to provide first responding a weekend to get away to Saratoga Springs and forget about the horrific event. The narrative touches on themes of hope, familial love, and gratitude. The respite program was aimed to provide relief to 200 families. Providing services at a price to 200 families over three ays was also a logistical challenge, and the Saratoga Springs community banded together and made sacrifices to provide suffering families with a relaxing weekend. Joe talks about the hotels they had to convince to give up rooms, dozens of restaurants that offered meals at half price, and activity centers that provided services for free (laser tag, skiing, bowling, batting cages, etc.). Amtrak offered rides to families free of charge, and the program had host families and psychological services available. This collective effort illustrates human compassion in a time of suffering, aimed to alleviate the distress affecting men and women that risked their lives to save others. Lastly, Joe was inducted into the Saratoga Hall of Fame of the Saratoga Springs History Museum in 2010 for being a community leader and visionary.