September 11, 2001: My Story

Tomorrow is the anniversary of September 11, 2001. September 10, 2001 was a Monday. I was working in downtown Manhattan for a large financial company only several blocks from the World Trade Center. On the morning of September 11, 2001, I arrived for work about 8:32 AM. For some reason I had to call into customer support – my Internet connection was not working. I don’t know if it was disconnected due to the attack. A customer support representative was able to reset my connection quickly. I heard that a plane had crashed into The World Trade Center. There were no TVs and Internet and e-mail was relatively new on our business machines. CNN.com was where I went and saw the first image of American Airlines flight 11 crashed inside the top of 1 World Trade Center (WTC).

Viewing this image of the first plane smoldering was shocking on CNN. Viewing the event as it was happening, I believe, was much more terrifying. The finance department where I worked was moved down to the third floor from the forty-ninth floor. The top floor, with its bird’s eye view of the World Trade Center, was undergoing badly needed renovations. From this level I’m sure I would have gathered colleagues to see what was happening from the VP’s office. Through the providence of God — gratefully we were not on that floor.

Time: 8:46:40 – AA11 crashes into 1 WTC (North Tower)

I was hesitant to call anybody. After all, it appeared that only a small plane had crashed from the looks of the image, nothing more.

The time is unclear but we were evacuated to the street level. I caught one of my colleagues coming through the revolving door. A textbook belonging to someone landed on the sidewalk across the street, he said it was burned…

Engine 8, Author's Photo – All Rights Reserved

Recalling this day from the street level, where we stood waiting, you could see all the EMTs and police cars that went racing by along Water Street – sirens blaring in the direction of the World Trade Center. One by one they went. Men and women — all of them.

We were gathered in front of the building. Cell phone service was spotty: some worked, others did not have a connection. The scene was of a constant stream of burning black ash trickling down like snowflakes, sirens wailing by. I managed to cross the street. I walked into a large eatery where I bought a bunch of bottled water. I returned and handed them out one by one.

We were directed to go back upstairs.

Time: 9:03:11 – Flight 175 crashes into 2 WTC (South Tower)

It was time to call home. Phones were not dead but were busy constantly.

Second Plane Hits 2 WTC

If you kept trying you were able to get through. Then the loud rumbling boom. I knew it was a large explosion but did not know that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center. At this time reports started to roll through the office of various events. Some reports were false.

At the time of this unforeseeable event, there was no means for the company to communicate with employees. E-mail was a relatively new tool. There was no intercom and no rally point. As much as I could hear one of the vice presidents shouted: “Leave the building!”

At least two people I knew ventured toward the towers. It was the valley of death.

As soon as we heard the first tower fall, another colleague and I immediately got up and left the building. Some people stayed longer and watched from the windows as people ran and scattered throughout the streets for safety. “Whatever happens, happens,” he said. The building shook from the impact of the collapsing tower. Several other colleagues and I exited out the rear of the building — it was the only natural thing to do, to get as far away as possible. The scene was of a large group on the street level literally inching along. My colleague shouted: “Let’s get outta here!” Despite the account of the nine-eleven report, an Air Force jet was heard overhead just minutes after the first tower fell. The morning sun was covered in thick, gray, smokey matter. You could not see the jet flying overhead. It was still unclear if you were safer inside or outside the building. Following that day it was clear — it certainly was safer to be underground in a train station — it provided adequate shelter and protection.

The Journey Home

Despite these events I was determined to get home. As we walked along there was darkness, debris, and nothing but smoke and chemicals to breathe. My building was located near the water – East River. That day, by an act of shear providence, a floating hospital was docked near the closest pier. Some people went to the hospital to collect a face mask for themselves. Others jumped on the nearest ferry to leave the area. Must say I was tempted to jump on the ferry but did not. At the floating hospital two nurses were on hand and on duty giving out the facemasks. One fellow, who’s only thought was of himself was to jump the line and take one. The nurse (both were male) would not give it to him; instead, he returned one to me. The facemasks were almost depleted. Than the other nurse suddenly appeared out the side of the ship. He just found another package full of masks.

In an emergency situation my normal instincts would be to help someone in need. Walking out of the area, all I was presupposed to do was watch and listen. I started to

Author's Photo – All Rights Reserved

cough for lack of fresh air. Another was coughing uncontrollably — he drank water from a street puddle. All I did was watch and walk. My walking led me all the way uptown. While walking I came across another injured person. This time I offered to help. I was out of the debris cloud and an EMT arrived soon thereafter. That day I walked between 15 and 20 miles. While crossing the Williamsburg bridge, I saw one woman who was barefoot. A fighter jet flew high overhead. When I got across the Williamsburg Bridge, we were greeted by  Orthodox Jewish men who graciously handed out cups of drinking water. Then began my journey home.

The city was under a full scale emergency. The air space around the city was closed. The police closed many streets throughout the city. You could not use a pay phone if it was near a police station. Many businesses were still open. And I did witness one person holding a doomsday placard with a message ”the world is going to end.” Our business was closed for the remainder of the week. But I made it home safely.  The shoes worn that day have been preserved. Later I became a volunteer for The American Red Cross to help rebuild the city.

BBC Report — America Under Attack

Author’s video.

Let there be peace on Earth