On a related note, what is taking them so long to build those buildings again? dubai built the tallest building in the world in like a year and a half this past year
Every year a few days before 09/11, I walk around with a lead weight in my chest. It depresses me terribly. For the second time in two years, I was about three blocks away from Ground Zero and just couldn't do it. My heart goes out to everyone who lost a friend or loved one, but in the end, we are all victims in this. God Bless America, and never forget. I couldn't forget if I tried.
In September 2001 I lived in Jersey City and worked downtown near the WTC. I walked down Newark (I think was the name) Avenue with the WTC framed between the buildings on either side every day - they looked so big I could never believe they were across the river. Every day I'd take the Grove street path to the WTC to start work at 8 every morning. My then fiancee got a job in Portland Maine which was supposed to start anytime in September. We were flexible as to her start date and, seeing as how my company had agreed to allow me to telecommute, we had no restrictions and so decided, on a whim, that it would be nice to get to know our new city while celebrating the anniversary of my birth: september 11, 1975. One detail in there is fudged, but I'm telling you, I got a weird relationship with this day.
I remember hearing the anouncements from my principal in high school that day and couldn't even believe what he was saying, then walking into the library where one friend told me that the first tower fell, going to the a/v room in the back and watching the other tower go down. Still, the only thing that I can remember from that day, aside from the @$$holes at fox news and cnn running the footage fo the planes hitting the towers ad nausium, was how the only things we could say to each other were words of concern and comfort. It brought me closer with a lot of friends from whom I had drifted. God bless America and God bless you all.
Weirdest thing I saw on CNN that evening was a couple of camera shots of downtown Paterson, NJ, with Palestinian sympathizers standing on the hoods of cars waving Palestinian flags and cheering. Almost made me want to go down there and kick some serious ass, even at my age. Funny thing is, CNN took it off pretty quick and I've never seen any other re-runs of it ever again. Guess it wasn't politically correct.
I remeber the day very clearly. I have visted NYC on many occasions and one of my favourite tourist moments was being on the observation deck around sundown with my then wife and mebers of family. As a consequence I always recommended that people go for a look see. On 9/11 family members, my then boss with his family and a couple of friends were in the NYC area. I had insisted they visit WTC. It took 5 days to hear that everyone was okay but my boss and his family were at Battery Park when the first plane hit. I know my sitaution is different to all from the city and surrounding areas but I can empathise. Here in the UK people do remember and continue to honour those that passed. It may sound horrible but I had some sense of relief when the final casualty figures where compiled and where not in the 10s of 1,000's. We visited several times in the following year and were met with such warmth and gratitude that we were visiting by many people. In the visits since I haven't been able to go to that part of the city and look up. In memoriam to all those who were lost
Scotty - My mother was born outside of Glasgow in a town called Paisely (SP?) She's still alive too. I'm 63 and she's 89 and still going strong. Good Scottish blood, mind you. But don't cross her or you'll ne're hear the end of it!
For me the day was very emotional even living 2500 miles away. At the time I was a flight attendant for Continental Airlines based at Newark and hearing the news at about 6 am my time as I was home as I had decided to take a foreign language class back home in Vegas on my days off. I had this terrible feeling that I had lost some friends and co-workers. I found out that one of the planes was United and that scared me because I shared an apartment in Bayonne with some Newark based United FA's. I found out that none of them had been on those flights thankfully. I had friends returning from Europe that were 4 hours into a 7 hour flight that had to turn back to Paris , Amsterdam and London. I know the reaction from our friends in Europe was absolute shock as it was here in the states. My ex was stuck in Anchorage by herself for 6 days after the attacks. There are so many memories that I had at those Towers, growing up in Jersey and always tagging along with my dad to work as he worked on Wall Street we'd take the PATH in and always get bagels and Yoo-Hoo before heading to his office. When I was older me and my Japanese girlfriend would take the ferry across from Liberty Park and eat sushi in this restaurant near the lobby. After that I dated this girl who lived on the Upper East Side and would always stop in to get flowers and chocolates at Godiva. There were the nights my buds and I would take the PATH in on our way to the Wetlands to see concerts. I finally went back about a month ago, it was the 1st time I had seen it since. I had my sister and father in law with me and my initial reaction was anger. I just wanted to punch the 1st Arab I saw in their face but that would have been extremely wrong as they had nothing to do with it. It was just sad knowing that my wife, sister in law and father in law were robbed of seeing what the Towers were and how great they were and how much I loved them. They'll never understand why I had so many great times in that building. Unfortunately the Towers are gone but the memories I had there will live on forever and one day will be passed onto my 10 month old. It's really sad but I will never get on an airplane ever again without thinking about that day.
You know...I am not so sure that we haven't rolled back to being somewhat naive...especially when you read the tabloids. I know EXACTLY where I was and will never forget it...I lost an Ex-Girlfriend in that terrible incident and it saddens me when I hear people talk ill of our troops and the brave people that were at that site. If you haven't watched it...rent Sicko...there are people who helped with that effort that had to go to CUBA, of all places, to get the medical attention that they needed due to helping at the WTC. In some ways I think a lot of folks have forgotten. I can't believe as I drove to work today how many flags weren't at half mast. My heart goes out to every person who lost a friend, loved one, family member and will always light a candle for those people....it burns as I type. Peace everyone The Mezz Never Forget.....Never Ever.....
9/11 is clearly the most powerful tragedy I have lived through. I was merely a young 7th grader at the time. However I was old enough to grasp the disaster, and the angst, the horror, and the absolute destruction caused. I have since been to NYC once, the only time in my life, and made absolutely sure to visit ground zero. It was one of the most intriguing experiences of my life, and I know it's something I will carry with me to the day I die. It is my hope to one day get back to ground zero and be able to place a mini memorial of my own there. In memoriam, September 11, a day that will forever live in infamy. Pray for those who lost their lives today, remember exactly what brought us all together 7 years ago on this horribly fatefull day. We shall Never Forget. 9-11-2001.
Yeah I know Paisley. Probably very different now to your mother's day. No too far from glasgow 15 minute drive on the motorway from where I live and right next to the airport. Amazing the links you can find with people
GOD Bless all the New Yorkers who went through that.............I can't even imagine.......GOD SPEED to you all!!!! My prayers are with you............peace to you all
