Thanks for your perspective, Alan. Its true that iving in the Tristate area made this tragic attack literally and figuratively closer to Home for us. We were in Fairfield County CT where so many from the Financial industry lived so we had dozens of "one degree of separation" stories of Loss in our communities, schools, and places of business. Agreed that we should NEVER trivialize this solemn anniversary by making it a "holiday" when it is truly a nondenominational HOLY day.
Well written piece, Alan. Although I was in Oregon at the time, I grew up in Port Washington NY and could see the towers from a hill in my town. I was in NYC in August, just a month prior, and have photos of my wife walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with the towers in the background. My dad was teaching on Long Island and a few of his students had parents that were working at the towers. My best friend Georg had a brother and sister who worked there, as well. His brother had overslept that day and wasn't at work and his sister, who worked on the 107th floor, refused to listen when they said stay put, and, along with several coworkers, got out. So, even though I wasn't there, it still hits me pretty hard. Thanks for voicing this.
Well said Alan, even being in Upstate NY, we felt the pain and anxiety. I agree with you that the real pain is not felt by everyone but the memories will last and linger forever.
I am numb today as I am every year on this day. Still cannot process the reason that terrorists felt the need to kill so many people. Thanks for your thoughts on this Alan, light and love.
Oof. It has taken me until today to read this because I did not want to revisit that awful day. My two bosses- the best guys ever- were in NY for meetings. One called me and said they were OK. His wife had called him from CT to tell him about the first plane crash. The phones were not working and boss two needed to let his Mom know he was OK. There were two of us in the office trying to call her.
We were let go early and I sat in front of the TV for almost 12 hours watching this unfold. The sheer horror comes back every year along with thanks and gratitude that my bosses were ok.
As usual, you did a great job writing and I am thankful for you and your words. I agree with you about the holiday. If we made it a holiday it would trivialize the day and its meaning. Thanks Alan.
thank you for sharing this. That was hard to get through that call still to this day. Thinking about this horror gives me chills and a rush of memories. I also attended the Shanksville memorial early on. Let me tell you that place is haunting and raw for sure.
Thank you for writing this Alan, and for sharing it with us. It is so important that we don't let this event, and its lessons, fade into the younger generations.
Thanks for your perspective, Alan. Its true that iving in the Tristate area made this tragic attack literally and figuratively closer to Home for us. We were in Fairfield County CT where so many from the Financial industry lived so we had dozens of "one degree of separation" stories of Loss in our communities, schools, and places of business. Agreed that we should NEVER trivialize this solemn anniversary by making it a "holiday" when it is truly a nondenominational HOLY day.
Well written piece, Alan. Although I was in Oregon at the time, I grew up in Port Washington NY and could see the towers from a hill in my town. I was in NYC in August, just a month prior, and have photos of my wife walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with the towers in the background. My dad was teaching on Long Island and a few of his students had parents that were working at the towers. My best friend Georg had a brother and sister who worked there, as well. His brother had overslept that day and wasn't at work and his sister, who worked on the 107th floor, refused to listen when they said stay put, and, along with several coworkers, got out. So, even though I wasn't there, it still hits me pretty hard. Thanks for voicing this.
Well said Alan, even being in Upstate NY, we felt the pain and anxiety. I agree with you that the real pain is not felt by everyone but the memories will last and linger forever.
I am numb today as I am every year on this day. Still cannot process the reason that terrorists felt the need to kill so many people. Thanks for your thoughts on this Alan, light and love.
So sad. 20 years later still evoke great sadness followed by anger . Nice piece Alan
Oof. It has taken me until today to read this because I did not want to revisit that awful day. My two bosses- the best guys ever- were in NY for meetings. One called me and said they were OK. His wife had called him from CT to tell him about the first plane crash. The phones were not working and boss two needed to let his Mom know he was OK. There were two of us in the office trying to call her.
We were let go early and I sat in front of the TV for almost 12 hours watching this unfold. The sheer horror comes back every year along with thanks and gratitude that my bosses were ok.
As usual, you did a great job writing and I am thankful for you and your words. I agree with you about the holiday. If we made it a holiday it would trivialize the day and its meaning. Thanks Alan.
thank you for sharing this. That was hard to get through that call still to this day. Thinking about this horror gives me chills and a rush of memories. I also attended the Shanksville memorial early on. Let me tell you that place is haunting and raw for sure.
so many feelings. hard to articulate.
Thank you for writing this Alan, and for sharing it with us. It is so important that we don't let this event, and its lessons, fade into the younger generations.