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story5629.xml

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2002-09-11

This was our first vacation together as a family in about 5 years and probably our last. Our children were approaching the age that they would soon be leaving home and starting their own lives. The oldest child is Keith he just graduated techincal college and our youngest son Shane was a senior in high school. We had wanted to take our sons on one last vacation as a family that they would never forget. I'm sure it is one that they will never forget ever.

As Jehovah's Witnesses we decided to take them to the world headquarters of our religous organization, which are based in Brooklyn, New York. We took a bus tour along with 55 others Jehovah's Witnesses many families and young singles who wanted to see the world headquarters. All of us on the trip were trilled with the beautiful weather that we had for our visit. We arrived in New York on Sunday September 9, 2001. We had started the day with a giuded bus tour of Manhattan we were shown all the sights with the exception of a ride down Broadway, because it was closed for Broadway on Broadway. After that we went to Pier 17 where we were left to choice what we wanted to do for the rest of the day.

Some of the families went to the World Trade Centers and went to the roof to see the beautiful skyline we walked down to the WTC but didn't go to the top. We decided to go to Battery Park and take the ferry to the Islands. The day was so nice that the island for that Statue of Liberty had lines snaking all over the island. So we decide not to stop at Staten Island because there were so many people waiting to get back to Manhattan that we just rode straight back.

We did some shopping for gifts for family. We had a great day. Our hotel was in New Jersy by the air port so we headed back to Jersy and spent the night. Monday was another wonderful day. Our tour was of the Watchtower factory buildings in Brooklyn. We went back to Jersy Monday night. Tuesday we would tour the Office complex.

Again the sun was bright the day was unseasonable pleasant. The bus was heading to Manhattan then to Brooklyn. We were just approaching the Holland tunnel when there was a commotion on the bus. My youngest son had just put down the camcorder, when some one yelled "the towers were hit!" Instantly he grabbed the camera and began shooting as the flames poured out of the tower. We were all in shock. One woman said I think a helicopter just flew into the tower. None of us had their radios on, we were all just dumbfounded. When I asked the teenage boy sitting next to us to turn on his walkman and listen to the news.

The traffic to the tunnel came to a dead stand still, everyone was just staring over to Manhattan! Then the police came and started to direct the traffic through the tunnel, as we got through half an hour later we watched in horror as the second plane banked and headed straight for the second tower. The flames again, the traffic coming to a dead stop, the shocked looks on everyone's face. Slowly again the traffic was directed to get moving, we were in China town when we seen people running in the streets away from the towers. The police and the fire crews were heading through the crowds running in the streets trying to flee. The sounds of the sirens are etched in my memory and every time I hear a siren I see the people fleeing some covered with ashes and crying just running!!

The report on the radio were terrorfying. There were more planes that had been hijacked. At least five and the targets were not known. It was hard sitting there wondering were those planes were and that we had just witness two hit the towers. When the news came over the radio that Pentagon had also been hit. There was a visible apprehension on everyone's face. How could they get to the Pentagon? What next? This will mean war, all us feared. Where are the other planes? A report came over the radio of a truck bomb in one of the tunnels to Manhattan. We were all getting very nervous. We were heading for the Brooklyn Bridge trying to get over to the Watchtower complex when the report came on the radio that the Port Authority would be shutting down all tunnels, bridges, the subway and the buses. However we did make it across to the Offices at The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.

There we were taken in and given words of encouragement and strength. We did not see the towers fall. The buildings were just behind some on the bay. Yet we did see the big gray cloud of debris and ash float down in front of the building we were in. Then we heard what had happened. I felt my knees shake as I waited to get to the phone to call my family back in Wisconsin and let them know what was happening that we were Ok. My father was at work and I choose to call him to let him know, it was probably 9:30 in New York and they had all seen it on the news already. They were greatly relieved to hear we were ok.

It was hours before the roads were open again and we were allowed to leave the city. As we left Brooklyn we looked over to Manhattan and seen the people still coming over the bridge walking away from the destruction and the smoke still billowing from where the towers once stood. The sky was still a bright blue. The smoke was heading out toward the Statue of Liberty.

None of us will forget that day, or the sights we seen and the pain and horror we felt at the tremendous losses incurred, as we realized that another plane had been downed in Pennsylvania.

Sitting back home in Wisconsin today it is hard not to feel the same apprehension. My father decided to take the same tour we did and he is in New York now. We are all grateful that nothing slipped by the authorities and that the terrorist didn't attack again. We thank God, pray for the day when he will put and end to all such violent acts.