Never Forget!

[Jim M]

I got up early for monthly visit to client in Wilmington, DE. The Belt Parkway has an accident and is tied up. I am cursing up a storm listening to radio alternating between WNYC’s Morning Edition and WFAN’s IMUS in the Morning.

Warner Wolf, a local TV sports guy who does some radio, calls into his show after a news report of airplane accident. He lives in Battery Park City apartments across from the World Trade Center and describes what he heard and is seeing. I think it is a BS bit.

Finally get to the Verrazano Bridge and cross it. The first tower is clearly burning from the bridge. Radio stations start to disappear. Imus is still on. Now accident reports are turning into attack reports. Warner Wolf is still giving the commentary on what he sees and hears. Imus reports President Bush is in a grammar school down in FL reading to children.

As I get to the Outterbridge Crossing into NJ, the second tower has been hit and reports of the attack on America are starting. Imus has complete coverage as well as the commentary of Wolf. It is pandemonium at the first rest area of New Jersey Turnpike (NJT) heading south. People are running around like chickens with no heads screaming we’re under attack. I use my cell phone to call my office and home. I tell my employer who has given the go home order and leave message for my family (wife and four children, 15, 13, 12 and 10) I am going to work; and, these dirt bags whoever they are, are not going to scare me into running home and hiding. Last time the cell phone works.

Find a land line at rest area pay phones and call DE. I tell my client where I am and ask if he will be there when I get there. He tells me if I am coming, he will be there.

Make the lonely trek to Wilmington DE listening to Imus and the further accounts of the Pentagon and PA attacks. The coverage is breathtaking and solemn. Warner Wolf’s depiction of what going on is reminiscent of a radio era long gone; like, listening to Red Barber or Vin Scully paint the picture of a ball game or Murrow’s reports on WWII. Hear about the airports closing, airspace shutdown, Mayor Giuliani has called off primary elections, UN General Assembly cancelled for emergency meeting, Logan is source of flights, President is airborne, Air Force is mobilized, Congress and the VP have run for the safety of underground …

All I see are emergency vehicles making a steady stream to NY. I get to DE. Wilmington is a ghost town. Red Cross is at the city’s gate along with military.

Get to building which houses federal court for Bankruptcy and is across from the Federal building of DE. Get to client’s floor, discuss the unimaginable site I saw from the bridge and get to work. He is on 9th floor and I can see from the windows in conference
room some the rooftop armed positions taken up by federal and military personnel. It is surreal.

Went to lunch at Cavanaugh’s and watched the TV from bar as I tried to eat my usual Caribbean Chicken sandwich. Had to leave after the umpteenth showing of the building collapses. The pictures of the dust covered pedestrians and emergency personnel was heart wrenching.

Finish compilation of monthly periodic report for client, sign and date it with “God Bless America” under the independent accountant’s report signature.

Give client and his remaining staff a big handshake and hug for standing their ground in what will become this generation’s “Day of Infamy” and start the lonely trek home.

All access to NY is shut down for emergency. Get off NJ Turnpike exit to Outterbridge Crossing thinking I can back door it in only to find out it is closed all the way to NY. Talk to a NJ trooper and explain my dilemma. He asks if I know the Garden State Parkway (GSP); and, where it intersects to upstate NY. I do, he suggests that route as it will get me “closer” than I am now.

Hit the NJT heading toward GSP exit and stop at rest area. People are stranded all over asking how to get to or through NY. I walk to the big map with a few and quickly draw a crowd. I show them the route from the NJT to the GSP to Route 17 to the NY Thruway. Some ask if they can follow, I say sure. Start a caravan and finish the route. We stay to the right at about 40 mph to allow the stream of emergency vehicles heading to NYC to bypass without incident. Most go separate ways once we hit the Yonkers area at the Cross County Parkway which I take to the Hutchinson River Parkway to the Whitestone Bridge which is closed. There is a NYC cop at toll booth. He waves me to a stop; and, asks what the hell I am doing. I give him the events of my day, show him my driver license to verify my home address and show him my client’s financial statement which I had compiled earlier. He sees that the work I do is for the United States Department of Justice by the wording of the report and asks what I do.

I tell him about my day and now all I got to do is get home to complete the day.

He moves the barrier, says something about the bridge will reopen shortly; and, be careful of emergency vehicles, stay on the Cross Island Parkway to the Southern State Parkway and then get off your exit.

I can see a steady flow of the emergency vehicles at or around the exits for Long Island Expressway and Grand Central Parkway.

Pull into my driveway to be greeted by my loved ones. Fear is evident.

We sit and talk the night away with WCBS TV on in background which was only station working at the time. We talk about their fears and the philosophy of life and what terrorism is and why one never backs down from a bully and should stand toe to toe with him and knock him out.


That night and the next morning we start to hear about the 44 residents of our village of 25,000, most moms or dads, who did not come home. All were better folk than I.

Now through the years I have watched their sons and daughters grow, their surviving spouses struggle, driven the streets renamed for them and watched the athletic events at the playing fields named in their honor; but, nothing is the same, nothing is better, nothing is over – it is something that will last a lifetime of those who remain and were affected.

I watched the children of the village grow into young men and women graduate high school and enlist or join the services after college graduation. They still remember, some of them lost a mom or dad. Have them over for a few beers before they go and when they come back on leave. Least I can do.

Additionally, we have sent our finest along with those of our allies to attempt to get the bad guys and prevent this from occurring again, yet it happens again in foreign lands against our people, those of our allies and the home landers where the terror strikes.

We are in a new age and it aint the “Age of Aquarius”. If all Islam, Judaism and Christianity emanated from Abraham I reckon he would want a do-over at this point. If we could replace the hatred with tolerance and provide the hungry with food, the homeless with shelter and the parentless with love, we all be better off, but heck that might be too religious!

A little tolerance would go a long way and so would some integrity in doing the right thing.

Too many have died before, too many have died now and too many will die in the days to come.

God bless their souls and remaining families; as well as the others and those who have perished in the fight against terrorism.

[Jster]

God bless all the victims, families, and first responders.

[sickened1]

I still remember that day, what I was doing when it all happened.

[Boothroyd]

I was boarding a plane, and ended up in an airline club after being told to disembark. My first experience with crowd-sourced news. The disparate reactions of people, some oblivious, some deeply impacted, stay with me today. Some people just don't get it (When will my flight depart, I don't want to be late.....).

One guy had a brother who was an Air Force Colonel--in the club, we knew they had scrambled jets to take down flight 93- weeks before that story came to light--he was talking to him on his cell phone.

A tragic event.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by sickened1

I still remember that day, what I was doing when it all happened.

Same here. I’ll never forgot it.

I had just started my sophomore year of high school and my mom came in to my room and woke me up, told me to come out to the living room to see what was going on, on the news. Couldn’t believe it, it seemed surreal, especially watching the second plan hit the tower. Spent most the day at school watching it all unfold. I’ll always remember that day.

God bless all the first responders and innocent people that were affected by the attacks. Tomorrow is a somber day in our nations history but must honored and remember those who were lost fighting for our freedom.

I know i will pay tribute to those brave men on women who protected our country on that day 20 years ago and the events that followed.

#neverforget

[jsd757]

So many innocent people gone. So many heroes who lost their lives running to save them. So many Americans who still don’t understand people would see us dead just because we’re American.

[enjoythemusic]

Changed the world.....

[cop414]

Always a tough day for me…

[superdog]

Lived in Fort Lee at the time. Worked in midtown.

Lost friends that day. Watched spouses lose husbands and wives that day.

Watched the smoke rise for months and months.

Will never forget.

[GoingPlaces]

We will never forget. Godbless all the lost souls and the heroes that put it all on the line. Can't even imagine what was going through their minds.

Thanks OP for a great and sobering post.

[padi56]

God bless all the victims who had there lives cut so short and to all the families and first responders in this terrible terrorist attack.

[Cru Jones]

I watched a documentary today with my kids. For them it’s history. For me, still incredibly hard to process.

Here’s a story from the day partly about a watch:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/se...OveC9QFTJuvKSA

[Malak]

There were 4 airplanes. 2 in NYC, 1 in Virginia (Pentagon) and 1 in Pennsylvania.

In the museum can still see a lot. Remains of the towers and more.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkJ0K0IBOA4

[Letsgodiving]

Today reminds me a lot of that day, a little cooler and beautiful clear skies. Glued to the news all day I could hardly believe what I was seeing.

I salute all the people who have prevented another attack of this scale for the last 20 years because at that time it was a very real fear.

[Bill11783]

I will never forget that day. I was at work about 30miles away from the towers. News came on that a small plane hit the first tower. We all thought it was a small prop (less than 10 seat) commuter plane. When we saw the second plane hit, everyone thought it was a replay of the first. Horrified to find out it was two large jets, both towers hit. We were under attack.

God bless the victims and families that were forever impacted. God bless the courageous responders (all) who lost their lives that day. God bless those who survived but suffered and continue to suffer from health ailments caused by the toxic debris. Thank you to all that stand by us and support our nation on this 20th anniversary. We pray for you all and we will NEVER forget. ����

[rmagoo57]

Originally Posted by Jster

God bless all the victims, families, and first responders.

Amen.

Was at work. The barber shop in the building had a TV - went there and watched the buildings collapse. Horrible scenes. Never forget.

[Chewbacca]

A great loss and greater reminder that life is precious and in times of need people will run into danger to help others.

RIP


“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

Mrs. Sandy Dahl
Wife of Flt. 093 pilot Capt. Jason Dahl

[Danny83]

Never forget

[Runner1975]

I will never forget.

[MrGoat]

With tears in my eyes, anger toward those that did this and extreme love for everyone effected by this attack, I WILL NEVER FORGET!!

I was in Marine Biology class. Our teacher brought a tv in and we watched the news for the entire class. Joined the DEP for the Marine Corps not too long after.

Lost many a friend in this 20 yr fight and I don’t know how I feel about it all right now except angry.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[S52]

Junior year High School.

Mom woke me up about an hour early told me to turn on the radio.

Went to school that day. We just watched the news in every class on TV.

10 Years later almost to the day I find myself Boots on the ground in Afghanistan on my first combat deployment with the Herk:

[trackingtime]

from Singapore. I was 13 when it all happened.
was watching late night tv and a special report flashed across the tv.
never forget.

[TswaneNguni]

Was busy with a urology list ,nurse comes in and says a plane hit the twin towers ....after a while she comes in and says a second plane hit ,I froze .

Saw the first tower fall, live .

Told a colleague ..'The top fell off '
Different angle was shown .. " The whole building fell .....'

I couldnt believe it .

Never forget .Can never forget .

[jatco]

Originally Posted by sickened1

I still remember that day, what I was doing when it all happened.

Same here, as with most. Got a call from a staff member telling me to turn on the news. Was Stunned, shocked.. and still am.
Will never forget.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I watched a documentary today with my kids. For them it’s history. For me, still incredibly hard to process.

Here’s a story from the day partly about a watch:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/se...OveC9QFTJuvKSA

Woah.. Damn.!!

[Speedbird-1]

Just watched (BBC I think) footage of the outrage.
No commentary, just Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings played over the horror.

I defy anyone to watch......and listen, and not feel the pain in the chest and that sting in the eyes.


God bless them all.

[JakeK]

Senior year of college. Was about to walk out the door for class, but was stopped in my tracks by what i was seeing on the TV. Didn't make it to class that day. I lost a cousin that day when the towers collapsed. NYPD. Just awful. Every anniversary of it i just feel numb. Still haven't fully processed it.

RIP.

[Malak]

There were events to commemorate the victims.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS5nuvx3b9o

[Star Ferry]

It was nice to see today that a few bars/restaurants were comp'ing fire/police, as well as guys covering their tabs

20 years later that's a gesture I think

[ltmgeller]

Never forget. My father in law retired from FDNY a year and a half before 911 but the Chief he drove was killed. I went down with my fire department (Long Beach) to see what we could do to help. The ride into Manhattan was the most scared I'd ever been in my life. This year was the first time I really reflected on my experience down there. It wasn't intentional. I was trying to help my father in law find more information out about his boss and the other bosses and firemen he worked with that made the ultimate sacrifice. We read stories about the ones who made it, some of whom made it out, only to be taken years later by illnesses they received as a result of their work down there. We've lost some of my colleagues as well. One of my guys is fighting 911 cancer right now. I've been pretty lucky. I wasn't down there too long. Just a little bit on the 11th and 12th then in and out a few times over the next few weeks. I have 3 or 4 medical conditions from my time down there, but they seem insignificant compared to most. I've been blessed to see my kids grow up. My daughter was 5 months old at the time. My son was born 15 months later. May the lord bless and watch over all the families who lost loved ones and may those who perished continue to Rest In Peace.