Remembering 9/11

"From this vista across the Arthur Kill Waterway, lies the Fresh Kills Landfill where the remains of many victims of the September 11th World Trade Center tragedy are still entombed. This memorial plaque is being placed in their honor."



Harry got up
Dressed all in black
Went down to the station
And he never came back
They found his clothing
Scattered somewhere down the track
And he won't be down on Wall Street
in the morning

He had a home
The love of a girl
But men get lost sometimes
As years unfurl
One day he crossed some line
And he was too much in this world
But I guess it doesn't matter anymore

In a New York Minute
Everything can change
In a New York Minute
Things can get pretty strange
In a New York Minute
Everything can change
In a New York Minute

(words by Don Henley)

September 11th memories

Twins

There is so much I could write about the World Trade Center. I have lived my entire life within 30 miles or less of Manhattan. I remember watching them being built over 30 years ago, wondering just what those two towers were and and how tall they were going to be. The above picture is how I best remember them-gleaming golden in the sun. They were a spectacular sight.

The morning of September 11th 2001 I was at work. We usually listen to a New York radio station, but on that fateful morning one of my co-workers had brought in some cd's and we noticed that among them was one by the Bay City Rollers. So a few of my other co-workers and I thought it would be funny if we put on "Saturday Night" and dance to it in front of the guy who had brought the darn thing in. Our supervisor goes to a meeting every morning at 8:45 so that is when we turned the radio off and put in the cd. The first plane hit the towers at 8:46 am and here we were, less than 30 miles away, dancing like fools.

We found out moments later what had happened as we were making our way up front for our morning break. We pretty much spent the rest of our workday huddled around the radio listening to the news. Some people left work to take their kids out of school and many of us thought we were about to be nuked at any moment since flight 93 was still unaccounted for and it had taken off from Newark. Some people formed prayer circles as many of us knew someone that worked in the World Trade Center. People that hadn't spoken to each other for awhile were shaking hands and hugging. There's nothing like a tragedy to bring people together.

I remember the drive home from work later that afternoon. It was a beautiful clear sunny day and there was this eerie calmness all around. There was hardly any traffic on the normally congested roads. And then I saw it-the long plume of smoke across that sunny blue sky. And that's when it really hit me and I started to cry.

I live right across the river from Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of NYC. There is a bridge near my home which connects New Jersey to Staten Island. As I got closer to home I remember seeing these abandoned cars everywhere. All the bridges and tunnels to New York were closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and I assumed people left their cars and walked over the bridge to reach their destinations. I never really did find out for sure.

I drove to our local Home Depot where there is an excellent view of New York City from the parking lot. I got out of my car and could not believe what I was seeing in front of me. To see the NYC skyline enveloped in a shroud of smoke has to be the most unreal thing I have ever witnessed-I will never forget it.

The smoke lingered here for weeks. I remember yanking out what was left of my vegetable garden because everything was coated with this fine ash and I did not want to ingest whatever was in that dust. After seeing what many of the rescue workers are going through, I think I made a wise decision.

Tonight depending on the weather, I may be able to see some of the "Tribute In Light" from my front porch. It's not a full view like the picture below, but you can make out two lights if the conditions are right. And even if they're not, I will still be outside at 9:11 pm like I have done for the past six years, praying for the victims and their families.


World Trade Center Memorial Lights, New York City

Where Was God On September 11?

Where Was God on September 11, 2001?

How many of us have heard that question "Where was your GOD when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was attacked?" Well I know where my GOD was the morning of September 11, 2001, and He was very busy!

He was trying to discourage anyone from taking these flights. Those four flights together held over 1000 passengers and there were only 266 aboard.

He was on 4 commercial flights giving terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the family members who were called by a loved one on one of the hijacked planes said that passengers were screaming in the background. On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hijackers.

He was busy trying to create obstacles for employees at the World Trade Center. After all, only around 20,000 were at the towers when the first jet hit. Since the buildings held over 50,000 workers, this was a Miracle in itself. How many of the people who were employed at the World Trade Center told the media that they were late for work or they had traffic delays.

He was holding up 2-110 story buildings so that 2/3 of the workers could get out. I was so amazed that the top of the towers didn't topple when the jets impacted. And when they did fall, they fell inward. GOD didn't allow them to topple over, as many more lives would have been lost.

And when the buildings went down, my GOD picked up thousands of his children and carried them home with him. Reassuring his frightened children that the worst was over and the best was yet to come.

He sat down and cried that 19 of His "misguided" children [terrorists] could have some much hate in their hearts. That they didn't choose Him, but another god that doesn't exist, and now they are lost forever.

He sent his children that are best trained for this disaster and had them save the few that were still alive, but unable to help themselves. And then sent many others to help in anyway they were needed.

He still isn't finished though, he held the love ones that were left behind in his arms. He comforts them daily. His other children are given the strength to reach out to them and help them in any way they can.

And I believe he will continue to help us in what is to come. He will give the people in charge of this great nation the strength and the wisdom to do the right thing. He would never leave us in our time of need.

So when anyone asks, "Where was your GOD on September 11", you can say "everywhere"! And yes, although this is without a doubt the worst thing I have seen in my life, I see God's miracles in every bit of it. I keep praying for those who don't believe in GOD, every chance I have. I can't imagine going through such a difficult time and not believing in GOD...

Life would be hopeless.

[Author Unknown]