Last 4th of July in a special hour-long broadcast, The Takeaway visited The World Trade Center — a place that is part memorial, part transportation center, part monument, and part symbol of industrial might.

The World Trade Center holds something deeply personal for our host John Hockenberry. 

“Even though the old Twin Towers were criticized for being not enough like the rest of New York City, that’s why I loved them,” he said. “They were accessible for wheelchairs, everywhere.”

John took some time to ride as many of these elevators as he could, and he allowed all of us to come along for the journey.

Back in April, it was announced that his audio essay about his “wheelchair pilgrimage” was selected for a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Use of Sound. Then on June 21, 2016, the Radio Television Digital News Association also announced that John’s piece had been selected for a National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Use of Sound.

Click on the ‘Listen’ button above to hear the winning piece, and to hear John discuss the essay with Takeaway Producer Amber Hall and Director Jay Cowit.