story4158.xml

story4158.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

On September 11, 2001 I was teaching 6th grade in an inner-city Lansing school. After first period I had two free periods for "teacher planning". I received a phone call at 9am from a fellow teacher telling me to turn on my t.v. immediately. I turned on my t.v. to see that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. My first thought was, "what a horrible accident." And that's when it happened, the second plane was coming in fast, and seemed to be aiming for tower two. I watched in horror as the second plane hit and more smoke rose from the two towers.
I kept thinking, "the people are ok, they'll get out, the police and firemen are there." I kept telling myself this because I had friends in New York. But then even more horror came as both towers fell one at a time.
I do not remember how I taught the rest of the day, I just knew I had to get through the day so I could go home and find out my friend's fate. I was unable to get through to New York all day, so was frantic to call their parents in my hometown. When I made my first phone call I learned my girlfriend was safe, she was home at the time of the attacks, and a huge sigh of relief escaped my body. But then I learned that my second friend, Bradley Hoorn, never escaped the 93rd floor of Tower One. The entire company that Bradley worked for (Fred Alger Management) had suffered devasting losses.
Everyday I think of Bradley, and wish I had had the chance to say good-bye. He was such a wonderful young man, only 22, and had so much promise. It angers me still to know he was taken away so soon. Now I wear a bracelet with Bradley's name so that he is with me everyday. I only wish I had had the chance to say good-bye and tell him I love him.