Important Addendum to my earlier post of Sept. 11...

At this moment, I am watching the History Channel and re-living the horror of September 11.

And I am ashamed that I neglected to think of sharing this on today's post:
One of my best friends (from high school), Kathy -- her husband, Vinny, was a NYC firefighter at the time of 9/11 -- and I remember, afterwards, Vinny telling me that he was AT THE SCENE of 9/11, when the buildings FELL... He said that he and his fellow firefighters arrived (from another NYC borough) just as the BLAST OF DEBRIS AND BLINDING SMOKE came upon everyone from the fallen tower, and he said that as the civilians were RUNNING from the scene, it was their JOB that he and his fellow firefighters were running TOWARDS the Towers. He shared with me his grief and "GUILT" that he couldn't save his comrades, who were already in the Tower(s) nor save the WTC employees/workers; all who had been trapped and couldn't get out, and soon to be known as "fallen..."

After watching the tapes tonight, right NOW, on the History Channel, I regret NOT making this the major part of my blog earlier today... To have known someone who was THERE with his NY Fire Department -- even though there was NOTHING that he, or his fellow fireman could do -- I am honored to have heard his first-hand experiences to me all those years ago...

My hat is off to Vinny and his fellow firefighters in his Company (I'm sorry--sadly, I don't remember his company's number). And I know that all of our respect is for Vinny and ALL of the FDNY men and women who were there that day -- those who survived, those who sadly did NOT -- and I am also sure everyone reading this feels the same way today, as we did years ago, still feeling sincere gratitude.

We thank you, Vinny, and your fellow NYC firefighters. And I also thank anyone who is reading this and sharing this with me.

Gloria

9/11 Anniversary --- Remembering the Twin Towers

This post is dedicated today in memory of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Being a born and bred Brooklyn, New Yorker, this broke my heart. I was already living in Connecticut in 2001, but it was as if I were right there when it happened. It was horrific. I remember being in work when I heard a co-worker say in the hallway that a plane flew into the World Trade Center. I didn't believe her and went on with my work. Then all hell broke loose. It was true. We all gathered in a conference room to watch what was happening on TV as it unfolded. What a terrible day... My heart goes out to all of the families of the people who died that day who worked in the buildings, and to the firefighters and other workers who gave their lives that day. The History Channel is having memorial shows this weekend so, if you are interested, please remember to watch.

I was NOT going to include pictures such as the ones below -- it breaks my heart to see them. But they must go with this memoriam. It is the tragic reality, after all...

The picture of the three NYC Fireman, raising the flag, seen around the world:

NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani on the scene that day:

The sad cleanup of the fallen Twin Towers begins:

President George Bush and NYC Firefighter Bob Beckwith:

And now, I would like to leave you with some beautiful and memorable pictures of the World Trade Center...

Top of 1 World Trade Center, October 2000:

Lobby picture inside one of the towers:

Beautiful shot with the Statue of Liberty:

Please let's all remember the people who were lost on 9/11 and pray for their families...

Thank you for sharing this memorial post with me.

Best regards,

Gloria

Note: thanks go to the internet/google search for the photos.