A moment to reflect on 9/11, from an Eyewitness

[Arnie H]

Before I came south to North Carolina, I was born and raised in New York City. And I happened to be working overtime in Manhattan at Whitehall Street, on the morning of September 11th, 2001, Several blocks from the World Trade Center. As an eyewitness to the events (although not as close as others were) it is something I will never forget. The pandemonium, the confusion, the disbelief, and the fear in peoples eyes has left an impression on me. But the kindness/compassion and concern for others, was also something that was evident as well.

 

[RedhatPat]

I watch this one dvd called Rebirth, every year 'round this time, and even some othertimes like when I lost my father, my friends. We even felt it down here in Amish country, that whole week was muggy and foggy. Our local weatherman said winds were blowing in from the north, the dust reached all the way down to south central PA, not just jersey too.

The Film: DVD + Book - Project Rebirth

If you haven't seen it, check it out. If you can't find it, hit me up I'll loan ya mine.

Thanks for sharing, Arnie H.

RHP

 

[Arnie H]

In a way I am glad I was not too close, the sight and sound of bodies crashing to the ground would have been too much for me. I did see people covered in ash or dust, as I made my way uptown and I also watched one of the towers collapse. I did not get home till late that evening and had to walk much of the way.

While everyone else was trying to get away, the first responders (EMS, police, and especially the firemen) were heading towards and into that hell. I wish I had one ounce of their bravery. To die, trying to save others is perhaps the most noble thing a human being can do.

 

[RedhatPat]

Isn't it something? How these folks just lean into the fear while the rest of us have this knee-jerk reaction to run away from it. I'm ashamed to say I took EMS, firemen, even the police, in some cases, for granted before 9-11. Now I can't pass one of these real MEN on the street without paying my respects. Assuming they're not issuing me a speeding ticket

I remember a noise, like car alarms but I think it was those locator things each one of them had on them incase they got seperated. So many of them and just the idea that each one of those beeps may have represented a fireman fallen, still haunts me to this day. AND I WASN'T EVEN THERE. This is coming straight from watching live coverage.

So I can only image how it must have been in your shoes.

RHP

 

[Arnie H]

Well, I was a bit upset because the firemen were getting all the attention at the time as the majority that died were just average people working in the building and trapped above the impact zones. They were heroes too in every sense of the word and several hundred, faced with a terrible decision, were able to avail themselves, at least, of the basic human right and dignity of choosing the way they died. It is a comfort to know that most of the people in the WTC complex escaped or were evacuated.

This is a photo that was given to me after the fact, that I have kept ever since:

 

[Robino1]

I still cry remembering

 

[buzzkill657]

i still can remember what i was doing that day.

I had just left the military like 3 weeks prior to this day and went ahead and started packing my stuff up. I knew we were going to war.

I never did have to go but as a volunteer firefighter my heart still aches for everyone who died and their families.

this day always make me think about what i would have done if i was in a situation like this.

prayers to all the families.

as my newest tattoos say , "ALL GAVE SOME...SOME GAVE ALL"

 

[RedhatPat]

Well, I was a bit upset because the firemen were getting all the attention at the time as the majority that died were just average people working in the building and trapped above the impact zones. They were heroes too in every sense of the word and several hundred, faced with a terrible decision, were able to avail themselves, at least, of the basic human right and dignity of choosing the way they died. It is a comfort to know that most of the people in the WTC complex escaped or were evacuated.

This is a photo that was given to me after the fact, that I have kept ever since:

There was a photo once taken of the staircase inside the building taken when some brave firemen were making their way up the crowded and narrow staircase, while the rest of the folks (almost squeezed single-file) were going downstrairs.

Instead of honoring the fireman in the picture, there were some crackpots that argued that had they not been there, more folks would have made their way out and so he/she insinuated that these brave firemen COST more lives rather than SAVED

The difference between Us and nutjobs is that we can agree to disagree, we can talk things out, we educate our women and we argue the ideas rather than attack than the messenger.

RHP

 

[Arnie H]

I believe the impacts had warped some of the stairwell door frames rendering several avenues of escape useless. No one knew that the buildings would collapse like they did. The firemen did the best they could and made it up I think to the 70th or so floor in one of the towers. Why a roof rescue by helicopter or something was not attempted, I do not know. Possibly due to the wind and thick black smoke. Not sure if it would have done any good anyway.

 

[RedhatPat]

Agreed, wind sheer and clearence (roof had antannas), does anyone know if they even had helipads up there? But yeah the smoke, no way. Sending a chopper probably would have added to more deaths 'cause it probably would have crashed. Regardless, hindsight is a luxury. It all boils down to, you do what you can when you can and let God sort out the rest.

I pray, wishfull thinking I know, that as many of the folks who died, died painlessly. I really really hope that was the case. Isn't that what it's all about now -- hope.

There's so many folks I've met in my life who are just walking dead because they gave up on hope (you can see it in their eyes in some cases). And hope is a dangerous thing to lose, folks.

RHP

 

[RedhatPat]

Stars that shine on a field of bright blue,
Remind us of heroes with hearts so true.
An ordinary day, it had started out to be,
Soon their lives would be given for you and me.
A circle is drawn to stand for our nation's unity,
A nation coming together through such tragedy.
A reminder is given for all of America to see,
That our freedom is never really free.

"God Bless America" is written in white,
Make this your prayer each and every night.
God is always with us, He knows our needs
Bring America back to God, should be our decree.

Much was given, many were lost on this day,
A man of terror tried to take our spirit away.
Do not let our new found spirit and unity fade,
As you look on this flag, remember this day ..

RHP

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

What some people fail to see

 

[RedhatPat]

Brilliant edit War, thank you for sharing brother.

RHP

 

[Arnie H]

I think the building without the large antenna did in fact have a helipad, though I cannot be certain. I have read some thing about the design of the buildings, construction of the foundation, and the "curtain wall" which formed the facade of the buildings. I also remember something about the roof doors being locked.

I want to say this to everyone reading, that my goal with this thread is/was not blind patriotic drum beating, that's not my thing. Just wanted to share my story and what I saw.

Death was very likely mercifully quick for those passengers aboard the planes and for those in the towers in the immediate impact zone. For the several hundred who jumped to their deaths, it was probably also fairly quick, though I am not a doctor.

While I was not close enough to see this, I did watch the video footage with the camera's trained on the tower(s). What I do remember seeing on TV (and if this disturbs anyone, please accept my apologies) I rermember seeing little "objects" falling from various windows every few minutes on all sides of the building. My conscious mind was telling me "that is just debris", as though it was trying to shield me from what I knew/felt/feared deep down inside and in my heart. My mind just refused to accept it at first. It kept telling me, "that is not what you think it is". But it was clear these "objects" were not debris, debris does not fall the way these objects fell.

Regarding the firefighters in the building and whether or not they cost lives or impeded the evacuation, only those who were inside can tell you. As far as I am concerned, the only thing that counts, was their intentions and what was in the hearts of these firefighters. They did not go into the buildings intending to kill or harm but the opposite, to save lives and put out the fire. There is an odd relationship between firefighters and fire, which I suppose only they and their family understand. It is something of a love/hate relationship. For some reason these men (and women) are drawn to fire and must go to it and do battle with it. It is almost involuntary, like the the Siren to the Sailor. It is like a living thing for them almost. It is a thing, they know can and will kill them and they know well the dangers of the job when they sign up. But they do it anyway.