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My dad called me to wake me up right around now, 19 years ago.
I knew something was wrong because nobody called my grandmother’s house (I slept there because I was 19 and liked to stay out late) that early.
“They said a plane hit the trade center.”
I knew something was wrong because nobody called my grandmother’s house (I slept there because I was 19 and liked to stay out late) that early.
“They said a plane hit the trade center.”
I pulled the extra long phone cord (landlines!) to the couch and turned on the TV right about now.
“Was that a replay?” - Me
“No, that was another plane.” - my dad
“Was that a replay?” - Me
“No, that was another plane.” - my dad
Got up to my fire department HQ right around now.
My fire chief said to all of us “we’re going to go as mutual aid for the city. I don’t know where we’re going yet. I don’t know if we’re going to come back. Choice is yours.”
My fire chief said to all of us “we’re going to go as mutual aid for the city. I don’t know where we’re going yet. I don’t know if we’re going to come back. Choice is yours.”
Our department would wind up being one of many that covered the Bronx over the next 24 hours.
The next day they asked for people to take the ambulance all the way down to Ground Zero (I don’t think it was called that yet).
First we went up to the fire training center and were told “fill your bus with cots”
When we asked why, we were told “bodies”
First we went up to the fire training center and were told “fill your bus with cots”
When we asked why, we were told “bodies”
When I was a kid, Ghostbusters was the coolest thing to me. Especially the scene where Venkman is like “let’s run some red lights!” and the crowd is cheering them on.
In movies: cool. In reality: you feel helpless.
In movies: cool. In reality: you feel helpless.
The west side highway near Chelsea Piers (which became the morgue) was lined with people holding signs and thanking the line of ambulances coming.
Unfortunately we all knew we weren’t there to save. We were there to collect body parts.
It sucked.
Unfortunately we all knew we weren’t there to save. We were there to collect body parts.
It sucked.
This year is the first year my grandmother hasn’t been alive for this anniversary. She passed around Christmas last year at almost 99 years old.
So it’s weird that more than ever I can hear her voice going “if you’re going down there, make sure you have your inhaler.”
So it’s weird that more than ever I can hear her voice going “if you’re going down there, make sure you have your inhaler.”
My hope is that our country, today, tomorrow, soon, can get back to that feeling of being one unified team.
We’re better when we work together.
We’re better when we work together.
