story1343.xml

story1343.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-20

I was walking from the # 3 train on my way to work from west to east up 40th street. It was a beautifil day. The trees in Bryant park hadn't shown any signs of fall yet. Suddenly I heard this very loud, apparently low flying Jet plane over head. I looked up but it had past. I thought it strange that the plane was flying so low over mid town Manhattan and in a southern direction. As I got to work,475 5th ave, a man got on the elevator with me looking very upset. I asked him if he was alright. He said, "I hope I didn't see what I just saw, I think I saw a plane crash into the World Trade Center". I quickly ran to our showrooms that face 5th avenue. Looking south I was not able to see anything. I went back to my desk and turned on my radio. The very first reports were coming in. Yes, it was true. I quickly called home to my wife Dianne to tell her to turn on the news. I went back down stairs with my Co-worker Cathleen and we turned south and looked. Good lord in heaven, there it was. Black smoke pouring into the crystal blue mid September sky. We stood there momentarily, in shock as many others around us were. Traffic was stopped on 5th ave, in front of the Main branch of the Library. Just lots of New Yorkers incredulously starring with disbelief down 5th avenue.
Wham! the second plane hit. A huge fire ball shot from the north side of the 2nd building. Crys of horror, terror and bisbelief filled the now still air. At this piont I felt this was not an accident but an attack. I looked up at the majestic Empire State building and thought, yikes this could be next. It was only 6 blocks away. We went back into our building and I called home. We were asked to stay at work, but after calling home again I knew I had to be with my newly wedded wife. I did get to speak to my kids Dom and Gina out in Davis California to let them know I was alright
I wound up walking home to the upper west side of Manhattan with
my friend Jane and thousands of folks through Central park. We could see fighter jets soaring over the city. It was so erry.

Three things I will never forget till the day I die, the sound of the first plane, the sight of the second plane exploding into the side of the south tower, but most of all, the eyes of all the folks I saw that day. Eyes so full of all emotions one could never ever discribe.
I lost one friend, A fire fighter Donald Regan, from Brooklyn.
God rest you Donny.
I wish to thank all those folks throughout the world who prayed for us New Yorkers. There was so much love beaming in. We sure felt it during those terrible hours.
Thanks
Love
Andy