Breakin' the Ice

[bullhusk]

WE do not need to tell you what happened 10 years ago today. You know. You may no longer recall the times of the attacks, what countries the hijackers came from, or how many people were killed in Manhattan, Arlington, Va., an on a field near Shanksville Pa. But you will never forget where you were when you heard, or the outpouring of grief that followed. and if you are like many people in New Jersey, you believe the events changed you. Forever..... Even if you did not know anyone that died.

I copied this paragraph above, from the front page of todays, Sunday Star - Ledger, It was the first paragraph from a full page written by Mary JO Patterson, who wrote the first Star-Ledger story on the 9/11 attacks 10 years ago today. It was just something I thought I would share with you guys today.

The World Trade Center Towers were about 1 mile across NY Harbour from my garage in Jersey City NJ. It was the most beautiful site to see every day an night. I didn't see anything on the site today about it so I figured I'd break the Ice. As for anyone who who may have lost a friend or a loved one? My God give you the strength to get through your sorrow an to bless your family an friends.

Ernie an Family

[David]

Amen

[tkobes43]

God Bless! May we "Never Forget"

[shortstack]

Amen. God Bless America.

[Truck1536]

Amen and "Always Remember"

[Firemack]

Today was busy day for those of us in the firefighting business, I started the day with a fire call, then got changed and went to Church service, where we were honored along the police and miliitary, and blessed with a special prayer for all those who serve our country and community.

After the service were thanked by the members of the community and then headed back to the firehouse to go to a September 11 memorial service at 1:00 where the township had erected a memorial to those who died September 11, and next the town had another memorial service at 7:00, so we had a busy day.

I was in Canada on September 11, 2001 at a conference with all of the airport managers from around the US, and they immediately tried to find rental cars or any way back home to restart the airports. I rode the train back home to New York City and then to Philadelphia past the smoldering ruins of what was the World Trade Center, that sight will never leave my mind.

I've met the guys from Ladder 10 in NYFD that serve the World Trade Center and met some of the guys that wonder why they are still here when their buddies didn't make it out. I think about all of the sons and daughters- today that don't have the last 10 years with their parents that we lost on that day.

I have stayed in the hotel across the street from the World Trade Center and for those of who like Mack's have seen the constant parade of Mack's that have helped remove the ruins and are now helping build the memorial and the New Trade Center- I will never forget what I've seen there or the feelings when you walk up the new transit center steps through what was hell that day, but I am proud to say I am an American and proud to see our flag fly on top of the New Trade Center, a symbol of our strength and teamwork to overcome our darkest day.

Firemack

[farmer52]

Amen to everything that has been said. I was flying to California on September 11, 2001 but thank God I was on the "right" plane. We detoured to Kansas City. The pilot never said a word about the attacks but said "the FAA told him to land". I never saw so many planes in one place, wall-to-wall aircraft. It was in the airport terminal that I learned what happened. Most rental companies were not renting cars but I found one whose manager said "we will do whatever it takes to get people back home." I have never been to NYC but I am sure it is "not the same without the towers". NEVER FORGET! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

[randyp]

Amen and thanks for posting Ernie,,,randyp and family

[Rob]

As most of you know I work for the FAA. I personally remember well the tremendous effort to get aircraft on the ground all over the country that morning, and the ongoing effort to ensure safety with our transportation infrastructure.

Rob

[41chevy]

I was working near Riverheads Gabreski Airport when the 106th Rescue Wing took off with almost the full unit, followed a few minutes later by the 2 C-130s from the 213th Engineeers Squadron based there. I called home to see what was going on and found out about the attack. Truely a sad day. We, on a few occasions could smell the fires from over 70 miles east. I haven't been to lower Manhatten since. Paul

[vision386]

Thanks for posting that Ernie,i am glad you took the time to do so,i was working yesterday,time i got back was "zero dark thirty"! i was in Long island city that day delivering a machine to the Coca-Cola bottling plant,when like most everyone else,i heard about what was thought to be an "accident" little did we know! as the morning un-folded,i got empty,was un-able to leave the city,once it was determined it was no accident,i was put on stand-by,because i was still leased to Atlas Van lines then,and pulled a specialized trailer (temp.control,liftgate,inside crane,etc.)it was thought it might be needed to transport wreckage/evidence etc.but nothing did come about. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me the 3 days i spent in the city,especially the family owners of a little restaurant,that fed me,and let me get washed up,they made 100's of meals to take to all the people at the scene. Let me use their land-line so i could let my family know i was ok. talked to a guy the next day with a B-81 dumptruck,who had volunteered his services as well,he came armed with a shovel/big ass truck! he was a retred FDNY fireman,and noticeably upset,but we got to talking trucks,and i think he felt just a little better.It was indeed a bad day,but i will always remember how we as Americans came together,and did the best we could to help the pros out! FDNY,NYPD,Transit etc. and just how forunate we are to live in the greatest country in the world!.......................Lest we forget!.........................Mark

[other dog]

I was delivering in Romulus Michigan, then went to Detroit to load lumber. I was listening to Howard Stern on the radio, and he stayed on the air long after his show was supposed to be over that day. It just all seemed unreal until I stopped in Bedford, Va. the next morning and bought a USA Today and saw the pictures on the front page.

[fxfymn]

I was still on the job when the attacks occured. The jurisdiction I worked for was due at the Pentagon and we had a great many companies assisting Arlington County. I spent the 11th at our command post trying to get the companies and the USAR team that were working at the Pentagon rotated and relieved as needed and still answer our own calls. After spending 24 hours there I spent the next two nights at the Pentagon working in the command team.

As in most tragedies this brought out a lot of the best in the folks who were there to help. I'll never forget the courage and determination that was shown by all of the responders to this viscious attack. May it never have to be displayed again.