2 dead in Brooklyn building collapse

All right, let's turn now back to that breaking news out of Brooklyn. You're taking a look at a live picture right now of that scene. We did just get an update from officials there. Firefighters now confirming two people have died in this collapse. Ten others are injured. The building partially collapsed in this area that's called the Flatbush neighborhood. Thank you. Witnesses say that a wall just sheared off from a three-story building this afternoon. And several people still believe to be trapped in that debris. Now, we do know this. Officials say at least four people were transported to a hospital in critical condition. Dozens of firefighters, as you can see here, still on scene tonight searching for more victims. We do know a few hours ago those firefighters were actually able to pull someone out of the rubble alive, that individual covered in dust. It is not clear. At this point, how many people were in the building at the time of the collapse? Again, you can see how many firefighters right now are sifting through all the debris. They're looking for survivors. Witnesses say it was next to another building that had been torn down and that the site was being excavated. We will continue to follow this story and, of course, bringing the latest as the news comes into the newsroom. That's what you're being paid for, is to do a job. So behave yourself, behave the regulations, and do the best you can. Words of wisdom tonight about hard work and dedication from a Bay Area trailblazer who served during World War II. As our country honors our veterans today, we want to share the story of Florence Coyne McDonald. McDonald paved the way for women in the U.S. military serving as a Navy commander in the war. KTVU's Janet Katsuyama sat down with a veteran and joins us live in studio with her amazing story. It's incredible that she can still share her story. I have to tell you, Mike and Claudine, she is so sharp and has such an incredible sense of humor. Florence Coyne McDonald is just one of many of the special group of veterans, the Waves, were women who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She is 103 years old, full of stories about her life-breaking barriers. On this Veterans Day, it looks like he's giving you some award. Or a star. Does it look like a star? It does. Oh, for heaven's sake, I know what that is. Florence Coyne McDonald might no longer be able to see these photos, but the snapshots of her long life are clear in her mind. Like this one, when an admiral in Japan gave her a star for her excellent service back in 1955. Because way out of proportion. Thank you. McDonald is a U.S. Navy veteran. Born more than a century ago. 1923. I'm 103. People might not guess that. What is your secret? I don't know. Have to talk to God about that. She grew up across the Mississippi from New Orleans in Gretna, Louisiana. Her accent on instant recall like many of her memories. She graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans. New Orleans. My degree. I was a bachelor of arts with a major in mathematics. Florence was a force at a time when women had fewer career options. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in the small city where I grew up. So the armed forces gave me the opportunity to travel around the world. She was among some 100,000 women with WAVES, the Women's Naval Reserve Unit. She says the decision to join the Army or the Navy came down to one basic thing. The women who joined the Army were issued khaki colored underwear. She says the Navy didn't care about underwear, so she signed up and was sent to study meteorology in Massachusetts. The Navy said, this is where you're going. And I said, aye aye. So I had a year of graduate school at MIT. Her meteorology expertise was critical to so many missions and led her to Washington, D.C. and Japan. And along the way, she picked up her nickname, Flip. Well, Florence Coyne became Flipper Coyne. Did you like your nickname? Yes. Thank you very much. I don't particularly like Florence, and I do not answer to Flo. Hello. Flip's framed certificate in 1943 from the Secretary of State, Frank Knox, referred to Florence as him and his. And after 20 years of service, so does her Navy retirement certificate in the 1960s. She retired as a commander. Well, I was very pleased and very proud. And now, on this Veterans Day, looking back over a lifelong military career, Flip has one simple message. Do the best job you can. When you're given an order and you say, aye, aye, sir, mean it. Do the best you can. And Flip says she got married to a lieutenant commander, Robert McDonald, and said that he did not mind that she outranked him. I mean... Truly amazing. She's got so much joy. I think she laughed several times during your interview with her remarkable story. Just a great attitude on how she approaches life. Yes. And she's so, you know, she has so many of these memories where, you know, we're talking about back in the 1940s and she could remember the date. She could remember the name of the admiral. 80 years ago. I can barely remember yesterday. And I love how she said, I feel proud. of all her accomplishments in the U.S. military, and she should be proud. For a woman at that time, it was very difficult, and she certainly succeeded. Trailblazing. So certainly we thank her for her service. And oh my gosh, 80 years ago. Amazing. Thank you, Flip. Yes. Thank you, Janet. Thank you, Janet. Well, today marks the 88th year.