Last Sunday we marked one of the most somber times in our Nation’s history, the tenth anniversary of what has simply become known as 911.
Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing at the time they learned of the devastating and unexplainable terrorist attacks.
As a Nation we will never be the same. Life has changed forever.
We all know someone who was in the World Trade Center as the towers collapsed.
Every time I see my friend Jack Genovese chills run up my spine. Jack’s 37 year-old son Steven died on 911. Jack, who pays tribute to his son with a memorial painted on his car, may joke and smile when he sees you, but by looking in his eyes you can see the unimaginable pain and heartbreaking nightmare he is living.
My friend Timothy Sullivan, who had just retired as the head of the Bronx Zoo, worked only one day every eight weeks at the World Trade Center. He worked on 911. Tim perished in the collapse of the towers.
My friend Sally Regenhard became a national activist and one of the leading voices for families after the death of her 28 year-old son Christian, a New York City firefighter. Sally is now an advocate for skyscraper safety.
Last Wednesday I joined my friend Amy Engelberg at a private taping of the Joy Behar Show on HLN. Amongst Joy’s guests were two people who were in the World Trade Center Towers when they collapsed, their heroic stories of survival were heart wrenching.
Former Wall Street executive Lauren Manning discussed the pain and endless nightmare she lives with from a fireball that burnt 80 percent of her body. Manning’s incredible story can be read in the inspirational book Unmeasured Strength.
It was Michael Hingson’s story that was most riveting. Hingson, who is blind, was rescued and dragged down 1,463 stairs by his Seeing Eye dog Roselle. His story can be read in the book Thunder Dog.
As I left Amy, I walked along Sixth Avenue by the now closed St. Vincent’s Hospital where 911 victims were brought. The blackened Emergency sign bears an American Flag next to it with another sign that reads “Although we are gone, the family of St. Vincent’s will never forget.”
On Thursday I had to be in lower Manhattan only two blocks away from the World Trade Center. As I walked up the subway steps from the Fulton Street Station and then walked along Broadway, I was amazed at all the people and their resolve.
The ironwork outside of St. Paul’s Chapel was filled with white ribbons in remembrance of those who passed. It brought tears to my eyes as I watched visitors from all over the world tie ribbons on the gates. Journalists speaking in foreign languages were standing along the streets filing their reports.
Sullivan County residents did their own part in remembering those who died in 911.
On Saturday, I ran into Frankie and Johnnie’s waitress Janice at The Trading Post in Rock Hill, in her shopping cart was a yahrzeit memorial candle and she made it a point to tell me she was going to light it on 911.
Touching memorial services were held throughout Sullivan County last Sunday uniting diverse people in commemoration of those who passed on 911.
Those who died did not die in vain. They are part of what has made America stronger. May they all Rest in Peace.