story9178.xml

story9178.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-04-02

I have lived in New Jersey my whole life, but have always had a special place in my heart for NYC. I actually worked for about 6 months right across the street from the trade center for awhile on Broadway-and commuted, shopped, met friends, etc. everyday. By Sept 11 2001, I was working midtown in the Chrysler building. On that morning I was coming into Hoboken with the thought that as usual on a beautiful day as it ironically was, I would take the ferry. Suddenly, someone yelled "oh my god!!!!" I looked out the window and saw right after the first plane hit. Fire and a big hole. I thought it was a stupid pilot who was high or something mechanical. Never terrorism. It just doesn't happen here. I proceded to still go to work. I wanted to talk to my coworkers. I got there somehow and I find out that we were attacked. I cried and said some things I am not too proud of. Naturally the Chrysler building was a target as I thought all of New York was under attack. We evacuated-and spent the day runnning from bomb threats-seeing men my dads age crying-and walking around in utter confusion, sadness and terror. The firm I worked for said that if we wanted they would set us up for the night in a hotel and I said "NO WAY-IF I HAVE TO SWIM BACK TO JERSEY I AM GETTING OUT OF THIS CITY!!" Finally, we were able to get home from Penn Station. Everyone on the train was hugging each other and making sure everyone was okay. I still couldn't believe it. I got home finally feeling like I had been through a war or something. I had about 20 messages on my machine-(never felt that kind of love again). I watched the coverage for another day-then put on cartoons because I couldn't take it anymore. But I eventually came back to the city that I will always love-and love even more now-and went right back on the subways. They hurt us but they can't break us. God bless America and the men and women who died just being everyday heroes.
Patricia Brown