I was working in a Church office, while the parish administrator was away for maternity leave. That day, I had a group of volunteers putting together a mailing. When we heard the news, spent a little time listening to the news, trying to get a grasp on what was happening, one of the group said "What is really important here?" The task at hand, or to go into the Church and pray.
Being in commuting distance of New York City, we tried to make contact with anyone who worked "in the city". We were able to account for all but one.
That evening, we held a prayer vigil, opening the Church to all in the area. As the service was concluding, that last person walked in the door.
We were the lucky ones.
There are many stories about that eventful day. I'll add one more. A friend of mine is a military veteran. Was in Desert Storm. Had been through that and returned home to his wife and family. After his return, he was working for the New York Port Authority, very close to "Ground Zero". This military leader and veteran "turned the wrong way" coming out of the building, Saving his life.
But I need to go back a number of years earlier, as the impact of 9 - 11 has a little different twist.
This picture was taken on May 7th, 2000.
We were celebrating my wife's birthday with a visit from her friend and daughter from Arizona. We did the normal New York sightseeing. Little did we know what would happen to this view.
But years earlier (mid 1980's) my Cousin and her family visited from Pennsylvania. Again, a tour of New York City was in order. We went to the top of the World Trade Center that summer afternoon. Saw the sights, and stood at the top of the Left Tower, in the photo below.
My cousin died on May 30, 1986 of a battle with Cancer. She has been greatly missed by all of the "cousins" and her family.
On that day, September 11, 2001, the towers were lost, the thousands who worked in the towers, those who were on the 4 planes involved on that fateful day were lost. Those hero's, the First Responders, for those that mourn, for those we remember, and for those military women and men who continue to fight for our Freedom even today. WE WILL REMEMBER.
The memory of my cousin, Bernice, will also not be forgotten.
Copyright © 2010 by H R Worthington
We will remember. Thank you for sharing your personal thoughts and memories, and the photos that remind me of what the world was like before.
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