Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Remember 9.11.01
I remember many things about September 11, 2001.I remember walking to the train in the morning and thinking what a beautiful day it was, with its clear blue sky and cool temperature.
I remember sitting on the train, listening to the radio and looking out the window just moments after the first plane hit the North Tower and wondering what the hell had just happened.
I remember the train conductor coming on the public address system and, in a light mannered way, saying "ladies and gentleman, if you look out the right side of the train, you'll see the World Trade Center on fire."
I remember, just before losing radio reception going into the tunnel under the Hudson River, someone on the radio say that a plane had flown into the North Tower.
I remember getting into Penn Station and walking out on the street as the second plane hit, hearing about it live on the radio and the announcer saying over and over "we're being attacked."
I remember getting to my office in Times Square and the utter silence of people in the lobby and elevators.
I remember turning on the TV in the conference room across from my office and sitting there with my co-workers watching what was going on.
I remember hearing that the Pentagon was on fire.
I remember looking out the window of a colleague's office and wathing live, with my own eyes, not on tv, as the two towers collapsed.
I remember walking the streets in New York the hours after and the total silence, aside from emergency vehicles. The other people walking didn't talk. They just stared blankly forwards. Some crying.
I remember finally getting on a train back to New Jersey and sitting next to a woman who just started to cry. I remember holding her hand but not saying anything. I remember not being able to think of anything to say.
I remember watching the fire and smoke from the train, just like I had in the morning when the buildings were still standing.
I remember over the days and weeks after seeing the "missing" posters all over the city. On every light post. On every subway. On any surface that someone could post a flyer.
I remember being scared.
I remember being angry.
I remember wondering if I could somehow help.
I remember all those things.
But most of all, what I remember on the sixth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks are the almost 3000 people who died five years ago today just because they were Americans and just because they went to work that day. I remember their families and the loved ones that they left behind.
We should endeavor to remember them always.
Labels: September 11
