Never Forget

My daughter lived/still lives 4 blocks from ground zero. On 9/11/01 while she was working out on the rooftop of her gym, they watched as a plane hit the north tower. Like most who witnessed that first plane, they couldn't believe their eyes and were merely confused and puzzled,  but went downstairs, turned on the TV and soon got the horrific news. 15 minutes later, Tracy had left the gym and as she reached the corner of Bleeker and Laguardia Place (you New Yorkers will know where this is), she saw the second plane go into the south tower. By the time the first tower collapsed, everyone realized what had happened and they were in a panic and running. We were speaking on cell phones at this point....in the background I could hear the terror in people's voices. She asked me what was being reported on the news as everyone around her thought there would be further attacks and bombs would soon follow. I can only imagine what she and other New Yorkers lived through during those hours and I will never forget how terrified I was for her. She took refuge that night with a friend. The police allowed her to return to her apartment on 9/12 to get clothes but after that, she was unable to return to her apartment for a couple months. She was one of the lucky ones.

At 8:46am this morning, ten years ago, American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

At 9:03am this morning, ten years ago, United Airlines Flight 175 was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

At 9:37am this morning, ten years ago, American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon.

At 9:59am this morning, ten years ago,  the South Tower collapsed.

At 10:15am this morning, ten years ago, the official notification of the downing of United Airlines Flight 93 into a field at Shanksville, Pa. was received by the feds.

At 10:28am this morning, ten years ago,  the North Tower collapsed.

This is a day to honor the 2,977 innocent men, women, and children who lost their lives. Let nothing overshadow their memories today.

                                                                      Let me introduce you to Tribute in Light:

Artists Julian LaVerdiere and Paul Myoda worked on the 91st floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower. Like most of us, they watched the towers collapse. After the September 11th attacks, the pair wanted to fill the void. They collaborated to create “Tribute in Light,” an art installation of searchlights pointing skyward, creating the impressive towers of light where the Twin Towers once stood. 

My daughter knows Julian, one of the artists (she actually got to turn the lights on once) and she worked hard to raise money for the project. LaVerdiere and Myoda have re-imagined their work for the cover of TIME’s “Beyond 9/11” Special Commemorative Edition.

The first two of the following photos were taken with an iPhone as Tracy walked along a couple nights ago. You can see the lights in the background.
The last two she took several years ago.

Please God, let everyone be safe on this anniversary.