13 Years Ago Today, 9/11 Remembered

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was working in Florham Park NJ when a coworker rushed past my desk telling me, I should go watch the tv in the lobby. He said “A plane has hit the World Trade Center.” It was about 8:50 in the morning as we rushes to the lobby.

A bunch of us, maybe 30 or more pushed closer to watch the big screen TV mounted above the reception desk. Our attention glued to the screen. The news announcer was recapping the tragic accident when on the screen, looking out a windows over the announcer's shoulder you could see another plane. It was about 9:03 A.M. as we watched this live coverage, another plane flew into the second tower.

The sounds of gasping, of crying out load filled the open space of the lobby. A woman beside me covered her mouth, as tears rolled down her cheeks. Some people sat down on the chairs and small couch in the lobby. I tried to remain stoic but my chest physically shook as I held back from crying, tears freely rolled down my cheeks.

Over the next hour or so, we saw the towers collapse, first one then the other. We were about 30 miles from manhattan and could see the dark smoke rising from the burning collapsed towers.

It was 13 years ago but I can remember and feel it like it was only yesterday. I will never forget that day. 9/11 is a day to remember and to hold in our hearts and minds, memories of those we knew and those who lost loved ones.