On September 11, 2001, Keith was in Manhattan working as a union carpenter at 10th Avenue and 23rd Street. When the second plane struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center, Keith rushed downtown with his fellow carpenters to respond to the attacks. During the first few days, Keith participated in the bucket brigade and dug through the pile searching for survivors. He returned in the weeks and months thereafter for additional volunteer work and to clear out damaged floors of nearby buildings.