nmah5466.xml

nmah5466.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-03-11

The sky was deep blue. I was on the N train coming in from Astoria Queens. There was a delay in service, I usually get off at 57th Street but got off at 5th Avenue because I was carrying a cheesecake that I had made for my fellow co-workers. I saw alot of smoke when I got off the train and so many emergency vehicles racing downtown. I thought it was a fire in a highrise or office building but never imagined it could be the World Trade Center.
When I arrived at my office at 54th and Fifth Avenue one of my co-workers told me a plane had hit the Trade Center. I thought it was an accident but when I turned on 1010 WINS I knew better.
I listened to the events as they were unfolding and as other co-workers were arriving. Still shocked, I tried to get some work done but could not and went into one of the offices where many had gathered to watch the news. The second plane hit Tower Two, a deeper shock and sadness hit. I had been at this job only two months. My final day on the 83rd floor of Two WTC was June 25, 2001. Five of my former co-workers were killed in that attack. The plane had hit very close to the area where I used to look out in the morning when I arrived early at the office. I have pictures and memories. I wanted to get out of Manhattan and went to my wifes office in Rockefeller Plaza. Everything was shut down. The trains and buses were out of service. Thousands of people were walking, many hugging each other. Jumping on the backs of trucks going over the Queensboro Bridge. We walked and looked over our shoulders at the burning Towers. Listening to the rumble of Airforce Jets.
I think of the lives that were taken. I am angry and sad. Sometimes I wish it was still September 10th.

I look at people more carefully.

Most of all the victims.
Yes the fireman and police and rescue workers but also everyone that was in those buildings doing their jobs.

Yes and I also wear a flag pin on my lapel.