13 Years

[jifjifjif]

A small gesture of condolences to any and all affected by the tragic events that unfolded 13 years ago today. It’s been a long time, but the visuals are still quite present in our heads.

I was 26 years old at the time and working in building 5 of the WTC. After the first plane hit, I was lucky enough to quickly and frantically make my way down the stairs to street level and there I stood with a weeping female co-worker on each side of me. I watched the jumpers and watched the building burn until the second plane came along. At this point, I, and many many others began running like crazy from downtown just trying to escape the area. I ended up in Chinatown and then walked North to Penn Station, which was shut down. I sat in a bar (The Blarney Rock Pub) and drank double Jack and Cokes from 10:00am until 6:00pm when the trains started running out of Manhattan again. I am very fortunate to have been only 5 floors up and I feel terrible for those who weren’t as fortunate. I turn 40 next Thursday and I am grateful to have such a wonderful family. A family that wouldn’t be alive had I not gotten out of there in time.

So, go home today from work and enjoy your families. Enjoy a good TV show. Enjoy your REOS. Hell, maybe even a double Jack and Coke.

 

[MXBNW]

God bless (Let us not forget) Glad your hear to tell your story.

Thanks for posting this today.

 

[super_X_drifter]

That is some heartfelt stuff bro. Thanks for sharing and I'm glad your here to tell us about it.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Thank you for sharing, Jif....((wub))
Many of us around the country were deeply affected by this event in variety of ways, but imagining actually being there is incomprehensible at best for those of us who weren't there.

I was 27. Started a new job the day before. Out here on the west coast, life came to a screeching halt. We all went to work, but we did nothing that day, glued to the tv or radio. Many were commiserating with each other, trying to find friends and relatives on the east coast, and in some cases, went to try to join the military. I've never seen so many lost souls in one place....no one escaped the effects of that morning.

Right now there is a parade driving north up I-5 heading to the Peace Arch Border Crossing. Firetrucks, First Responders, Police, and the like. At the border they will meet up with their Canadian counterparts heading south. They will then have a memorial service. I can hear the car horns from our house and wish we could go.

Peace be with all of you....I will never forget.

 

[Spydro]

Thanks for sharing your real life experience, and in such a tasteful manner. Those of us who could only watch in disbelief, cry for the unfortunate and their families, for the brave who gave their all for others didn't feel the impact that you did.

 

[eratikmind]

Pleased that you made it out of there, Jif.

Enjoyed reading your accounts of that tragic day.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Thanks for that share, jif

I'm just writing this note to let all my US vaping brothers and sisters know that we, as Canadians, feel the tragedy along with you. Not that it amounts to a hill of beans, but my wife and I went to celebrate New Years Eve in NY that year (surrounded by police and military, for fear of another attack) - just our quiet statement that we will not run and hide from terrorism; they will not defeat our spirit. Very surreal to visit the still-smoking WTC site at that time.

jif, it's nothing compared to what you went through, of course. Glad you're here to tell your tale and remind us that we should never forget. vape a double on me, brother.

 

[pennysmalls]

I'll never forget that morning when my husband called me from work and told me to turn the T.V. on. I had never and still have not in my life experienced such disbelief and utter grief for all those who had to live and die through that. I had found out I was pregnant the night before and had a hard time reconciling my happiness with the pregnancy with the grief that swallowed myself and our country. My daughter was born May 11th. My memories of that day will always be intertwined with my memories of my daughters start in life.

jifjifjif- So glad you made it out ok. So sorry you had to go through that.

 

[MsLoud]

Our kids were in school. Hubby was in the doctors office. I was rocking out to the last album rock station in Birmingham...news alert. I sat paralyzed in my car. As the story unfolded I could see in the parking lot people starting to gather - car stereos were turned up as load as they could go so those of us gathered around could hear. Then panic. Parents started getting text from their children in school. Phone lines busy...busy....then nothing. No ringing. Cars had pulled over in the street. The silence was deafening...I wanted to scream but like the air around me - I could make no sound.

My oldest daughter had gone to NY to visit family...that early morning they headed to where my father grew up - Amsterdam - a trip scheduled for later in the week...

/hugs jifjifjif - I have never expressed this story to anyone except family but somehow I felt compelled to share it now. Thank you for sharing yours

 

[Evilocity]

Thanks for sharing that. It is humbling to hear someone speak about that day who was literally in the mix. Everyone who was old enough to remember that day will remember where they were and what they were doing when the news hit. I think I can speak for everyone when I say, we are glad you are here today and with your family and have all the people who were lost that day in our thoughts and prayers.
I live in Washington DC and was working about 5 miles away from the Pentagon on September 11th. I passed by the Pentagon just a day after and saw everything. It was a very sobering sight and truly makes you appreciate everything we have. Our families, friends and even strangers.
I can't imagine being in your shoes in nyc, I would have a new view on life from that day forth.

 

[thewomenfolk]

We in America have lived such a privileged life that the event of 911's magnitude was truly beyond our comprehension. To say it was shocking is an understatement. I'm sure all of you were as dazed as I was for a long time afterwards, and every reminder even now brings a sadness that I know we'll never quite overcome. It taught me just how deeply evil, evil can be. But although that spirit of evil still lives in our world today I am most comforted by my personal belief and hope that God will indeed separate the good from the evil one day and make all things right, forever.

Thanks to jifjifjif for the condolences and for the good advice he gave at the end of his post. It gives truth to what my mother said to me so many years ago for comfort after a different sad time, that indeed, life is for the living.

 

[el Jexican]

Thanks for sharing your story. Such a tragic event that shall never be forgotten.

Its a day to also remember those who gave their lives fighting our nations wars since then, keeping the fight overseas. Its also a day to say thanks to the men and women, and their families, who continue to defend this great nation.

 

[jifjifjif]

Thank you all for your comments. They mean a great deal to me. I had two bourbon and cokes last night, but not doubles. ..... have to work today. That day, however, i had a feeling i wouldn't be going in to work the next day. Plus, i didn't care.

Let's all look forward to our weekend now.

 

[SmokinRabbit]

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I'm a New Yorker too. Me and my family try to go to Brooklyn every year for at least an hours of remembrance. Took this photo last night.

 

[Alamedean]

Thanks Rich for sharing your experience. I'm lost for words but not emotions.

 

[jifjifjif]

Nice picture. Thanks. The view from the 107th floor of WTC (Windows on the World bar and restaurant) was awesome. I once drank a $13.00 martini up there staring out at ALL of Manhattan and feeling quite powerful and confident. Those bastids took that away. I would have loved the opportunity to box Osama Bin Laden. I would have thrashed that .....