Fotodan Studio

Adversity may change the path, but it doesn't have to determine the destination.

Every challenge can teach us something. Every setback can reveal something. And sometimes, the moments that test us most become the moments that shape us most.

What seed of triumph can you find in the challenge you're facing today?
Discover more timeless wisdom from Og Mandino at OgMandino.com

“The Foley family is a firefighting family. Dedicated and selfless, they lost Tommy on 9/11 day, when he and seven of his brothers with Rescue 3 in the Bronx responded to the call to go to the burning towers. None survived. Danny responded as well, promising his family he would find Tommy’s body, which he and other firefighters did. He came in and posed for the picture above just a couple days after discovering his brother in the rubble. Joanne, their sister, also came in, holding Tommy’s ceremonial helmet and his cowboy hat. And after 9/11, Danny stepped up and joined Rescue 3, one of five specialized rescue companies in the city. I have such profound respect for the Foley family. Their lives intersected with that fateful day, and they selflessly, unflinchingly went to bat for New York City, for their fellow citizens, indeed, for all of us. Now Danny, who after 9/11 always had Tommy’s mass card in the band of his helmet whenever he went on a call, is with his brother. He died of 9/11 related cancer, so young, leaving his wife, Carrie, and five children. Danny and Tommy’s loving sister, Joanne, possessed of astonishing strength and determination, carries on. She co-directed a 2010 documentary about her brother, “Tommy Foley: Legacy of a Young Hero” The words above are part of a beautiful tribute that photographer @joemcnallyphoto wrote about Danny Foley after he tragically passed away from 9/11 related cancer in 2020.  Last night, we had the incredible honor to have Joe in the Adorama Event Space for a tremendously moving and meaningful event “Faces of Ground Zero: 25 Years Later”, where Joe talked about this famous photography project that he created to honor 272 heroes from that day and raise over $2 million for charity.  Today, and everyday, we remember and honor the legacy of Tommy and Danny Foley and every other hero from that day. We will never forget their sacrifice 💙 (If you’d like to watch the full event recording and hear more stories about some of the incredible heroes that Joe photographed for this project, the full recording link is in our bio or comment the word “link” and we can DM it to you.)