nmah5711.xml

nmah5711.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-10

My story of September 11,2001 begins on Friday,September 7,2001. I had traveled from Austin,Texas to Washington D.C. on Wednesday September 5,2001 to meet with some Justice Department staff and to attend the FBI National Academy Graduation of one of the TDCJ chiefs on Friday. I was looking foreward to the trip for two reasons, the new FBI Director's first day on the job was Monday September 3,2001 and I was going to meet up with several U.S. Marshal buddies of mine that I worked cases with over the years who were stationed at their headquaters near the Pentagon. On Friday the Law Enforcement Executives that were present for the graduation met with Director Robert Muller. I was impressed with Mr. Muller immediately. He spoke to me and my boss at the time, John McAuliffe, for several minuites. Director Muller was telling us that the road ahead for the FBI was one of co-operation and sharing with state and local departments.The FBI, in law enforcement circles did not have a stellar track record of in the arena of co-operation.There was a lot heard about this co-operation after 9/11 but I can honestly say that Director Muller was putting out that message his first week on the job.

On Friday evening I met with several US Marshal friends of mine and had a couple of beers at a bar near the Pentagon.

I returned to Texas on Saturday flying out of National.

On Tuesday, September 11,2001, I awoke early and I drove to Huntsville, Texas for a meeting scheduled for the early morning hours. While I was enroute I received A text message on my pager "A small plane has hit the World Trade Center in NYC". I continued my drive and a short time later I pulled up at the back door of the TDCJ headquarters building, walked in and spoke with Nina Saucier, a Criminal Intelligence Analyst at when I was informed that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center. It was a sensitive issue for me as I was born and raised in the NYC area. The Agency had not paid the satelite bill and we had no News Broadcasts in our command center.Eventually the Satelite was turned on and the pictures told the story. I could not fathom NYC without the Trade Center.

You see I was born in Manhattan to parents that were Irish immigrants. Police Officers, Fireman and Construction workers were a big part of my life growing up in the Irish community. The Irish are proud of what they have built in NYC. They are a lot of Irish that are, and have been in the Union trades,(IronWorkers,Steamfitters,Carpenters,etc.)worked on the Trade Center. Several of my friends when I was in high school,had summer jobs working as helpers in various trades, during the building of the Trade Center. Windows on the World, was where I had a celebratory dinner at 19 whem I Quit smoking after I won a bet that I would outlast my other friends.I had been there with Dates over the years.I could not believe that the towers had collapsed and were no more. We are a free and open society, law enforcement needs the tools to to do their job, the Patriot Act is necessary. I just hope that is not too little too late...........

The men and women of the NYFD, NYPD and NYPA who lost their lives trying to save others.

Yes,No I have always felt a deep pride in he flag.