September 11, 2001 was a day like any other day – I woke up and started getting ready for my morning tutorial. I walked to school and went to my tutorial and then went to the book store in the University Community Centre (UCC). Crowds of students were watching the tvs set up all through out the UCC – being sort of early I just ignored them and went about picking up my books – normally at that time of year the bookstore is so busy you can hardly move but I breezed through the checkout and came out facing the tvs. I stopped to see what everyone was looking at because I realized that it was completely silent. I watched as a plane flew into the second tower and shock and horror filled my entire being. Shock is the only word I can use to describe how I felt but it was more than that.

I’ve grown up in Canada but my father was born in the United States and many of my family members live there and we visit regularly. At the time several family members were living in New York city and we were all so concerned about their safety and well being. We were fortunate that all of them were safe from harms way. 

When the second plane hit the silence was broken by sobbing and crying as people around me realized what had happened. We were all glued to the tv – what was happening, were there survivors, could they escape? Watching the towers fall was the most devestating thing I’ve ever witnessed live on tv and my heart went out to the countless families and friends whose lives just changed forever.

Being in New York city you can help but notice the presence of the police and firefighters. Ladder 10 (from the image above) lost members of their team – 6 of whom were listed on the truck we saw.

Capt. James Corrigan

Lt. Gregg Atlas

Lt. Stephen Harrell

FF. Paul Pansini

FF. Jeffrey Olsen

FF. Sean Tallon

At 7th Avenue and 11th Street is the Tiles for America tribute created in memory of the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

The estimated death toll on September 11th was over 6,000 – many remains have not been identified. 341 fire fighters, 2 FDNY paramedics, 23 NYPD, 37 Port Authority Officers, and 8 EMTs lost their lives trying to save the lives of others.

I will never forgot what I watched on those tvs – so today, especially, I remember.

Tags: 9-11, fire fighters, memorial, remember, September 11 2001, Tiles for America

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