story10328.xml
Title
story10328.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2004-01-14
911DA Story: Story
I'm from a small town in western North Carolina. In late August 2001 I moved my oldest son to an apartment on Staten Island. He had always wanted to live and go to school in New York. Leaving him there was devastating.
On the morning of 9/11 I came home from taking my younger children to school. I was horrified when I turned on the TV and saw the events unfolding. When the second plane hit the WTC, I paniced. My son was supposed to be in the city that morning. All I could think of was the possibility that I would loose my son. I didn't think of all the others trapped in that building. I was selfish. A lot of sons, daughters, mothers and fathers were in that building, some by chance and some by a call to duty.
Late in the day my son finally called to let us know that he was OK and to ask me to come and get him. I was elated that he wanted to come home. I got to NYC around 11:00pm. Needless to say that it was impossible to get into the city or even over to Staten Island so I spent the night in Jersey.
On the morning of Sept. 12th I found out why NYC would survive and recover. It took me over 6 hours to get across the Goenthals bridge. I finally took the first exit off the expressway. I thought I could easily find Ryan's appartment. I was wrong. I got turned around and couldn't find his street. While stopped at a light, I saw a man crossing the street. Please remember I'm from a small southern town. This was the biggest, meanest looking black man I had ever seen. But I was determined to find my son, so I called to this man and asked for directions. He told me how to find my sons appartment and even gave me a tip on a shortcut. I was determined to reward his kindness. I offered to pay him, and when he refused money I offered to give him a ride. I will always remember his reply. He told me: "No thank you, I only have a few blocks to go. You go get your son and be careful."
I took the time to look around and really see the people of New York. Everywhere people were coping with the tragedy. People crying but still carrying on their everyday lives. I have always been proud of my son, but at that moment in history, I was proudest of the fact that for even a short time he was a citizen of the greatest city on earth. Terrorist can tear down buildings but no one can beat down the spirit of Americans and NYC proved it beyond words during this terrible tragedy. I wish I could tell everyone in New York how grateful I am. You took care of my son while he was there and all of you made sure that he came home safe.
God Bless.
On the morning of 9/11 I came home from taking my younger children to school. I was horrified when I turned on the TV and saw the events unfolding. When the second plane hit the WTC, I paniced. My son was supposed to be in the city that morning. All I could think of was the possibility that I would loose my son. I didn't think of all the others trapped in that building. I was selfish. A lot of sons, daughters, mothers and fathers were in that building, some by chance and some by a call to duty.
Late in the day my son finally called to let us know that he was OK and to ask me to come and get him. I was elated that he wanted to come home. I got to NYC around 11:00pm. Needless to say that it was impossible to get into the city or even over to Staten Island so I spent the night in Jersey.
On the morning of Sept. 12th I found out why NYC would survive and recover. It took me over 6 hours to get across the Goenthals bridge. I finally took the first exit off the expressway. I thought I could easily find Ryan's appartment. I was wrong. I got turned around and couldn't find his street. While stopped at a light, I saw a man crossing the street. Please remember I'm from a small southern town. This was the biggest, meanest looking black man I had ever seen. But I was determined to find my son, so I called to this man and asked for directions. He told me how to find my sons appartment and even gave me a tip on a shortcut. I was determined to reward his kindness. I offered to pay him, and when he refused money I offered to give him a ride. I will always remember his reply. He told me: "No thank you, I only have a few blocks to go. You go get your son and be careful."
I took the time to look around and really see the people of New York. Everywhere people were coping with the tragedy. People crying but still carrying on their everyday lives. I have always been proud of my son, but at that moment in history, I was proudest of the fact that for even a short time he was a citizen of the greatest city on earth. Terrorist can tear down buildings but no one can beat down the spirit of Americans and NYC proved it beyond words during this terrible tragedy. I wish I could tell everyone in New York how grateful I am. You took care of my son while he was there and all of you made sure that he came home safe.
God Bless.
Collection
Citation
“story10328.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 8, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/9681.