As someone who lived and worked in North Jersey for many years and saw the Manhattan skyline every day, Sept.11th is still fresh in my mind like it was yesterday. I was at a business meeting that morning in Newport, RI with my regional colleagues from North Jersey and NYC. That meeting was supposed to have taken place at the World Trade Center Marriott hotel next to the towers but was moved a month before (we were unknowingly very fortunate it was). As we watched on TV like most, it was still different because people I worked with had spouses, family, and friends working there and were frantically trying to reach them. It was beyond terrible. We all learned later that some were lost and others thankfully made it home safely.
Our meeting was obviously cancelled and we were told we could stay or go…whichever felt best for us. Two of my friends and I drove up together and decided we were heading home. The roads from Rhode Island back to NJ were basically empty except for emergency personnel and law enforcement. We had to take the long way back because all the major bridges were shut down. We listened to the radio reporting in silence the entire way. As we came down into NJ from NY state, the road always gave you a magnificent view of the NYC skyline. This time, all we could focus on was the rising smoke.
The documentaries on TV are amazing (though sometimes hard to watch) but it’s part of our history and the younger generation should learn about it. My wife and I have told our stories to our children about that day. Make sure you pass along your stories as well.
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