2001 - In the U.S., four airliners were hijacked and were intentionally crashed. Two airliners hit the World Trade Center, which collapsed shortly after, in New York City, NY. One airliner hit the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Another airliner crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. About 3,000 people were killed.
I'm writing today's post from a hotel room in Long Island City, New York, looking over the Manhattan Skyline. The Empire State Building is lit up in Red, White, and Blue. The sun is setting, and the scene is breathtaking. Nine years ago today the skyline changed drastically. I know that I will never forget that day.
I think about 9/11 every day. Working for an airline, I've dealt with the changes and the challenges that have come from that day. The events of 9/11 changed our world.
My friend Chris worked at the world trade center. He's wearing his ID today. He should have been there, but had decided to go in a few hours late that morning. He was on the subway on his way to work when the plane hit the building.
I was working the overnight shift, usually getting home from work around 7:00 in the morning. Business had been slow all night, and around 3:30am operations started letting people go home early. I turned down the offer, but about 4:30 had a really strong feeling that I needed to go home. I called and the offer was still open, so I left. My normal morning routine was to watch the morning news, and then go to bed. For some reason that morning I went right to bed. Around noon I woke up, and that's when I learned of the events of that morning.
I still remember feeling numb. Feeling nothing and everything all at once. As I look over the skyline right now the feeling comes back. It's still unbelievable.
I'm glad I got to come to New York this weekend, to be here on this day. The light towers are on, and I can see them from my room. The lights reach the clouds. It's beautiful. A great tribute to the thousands that lost their lives that day.
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