Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I Have Something to Say

9/11...


Some people have asked me tell my story, so here it is.

I was assigned to a multi agency Task Force whose headquarters were located at 100 Centre Street, in lower Manhattan. I'll skip all the details of that morning, because it really was a typical day until 8:46am. After Flight 11 struck WTC 1, we moved down to the Command post located in the Lobby of 1. We were then tasked to go over to the World Financial Center across West Street, to help evacuate that complex. As we were evacuating that area, I moved to the front of the building near the Wintergarden to clear it. A heard a jet revving it's engines and looked up to see 175 hit WTC 2. As the fireball came out, flaming jet fuel landed on the street below, nearly incinerating a woman in front of me, that sight and smell lingers..

After getting her out, and into an ambulance. I went back in to WFC to make sure no one went out the front of the building due to the jumpers. It's amazing how your mind processes what it's seeing, so you can still function and maintain. As we were continuing the evacuation, I was sent back across to WTC 1 to see EMS and gather some first aid supplies. As I was standing in the Lobby, the ground began to shake and the rumbling got louder..everyone around me began to run...I ran and dove under an escalator cut out. Eventually the room filled with dust and debris. I could hear people screaming but could not see anything or anyone. I followed the sunlight out into the street exiting through a large glass window that had been shattered.

The radio began come alive with mayday and 10 13 calls. We were ordered to rally to get a head count at the corner of Vescey and West Streets. As we began to form up and plan, the rumbling started again. I looked up and saw the television antenna on top of number one begin to sway back and forth. I then turned and ran down the street toward the Hudson River all I could think of was I did not want to burn to death. I knew I was going to die, I just did not want to burn to death. My thought process led me to believe that if I made it to the Hudson River, I could swim to New Jersey. as I began to run, I looked over my shoulder and could see a large cloud of debris chasing me. At that point I realized that I was going to die, so I began to pray as I ran, As the cloud caught me, I was able to drop and roll underneath a large van used by a News Network. Laying there and listening to the debris hit around me and on top of me all I could do was think about my kids and pray. That is the last conscious memory I have, until I woke up in NYU Hospital, three days later. I am putting this out there, so people can understand no matter how bleak a situation looks there's always hope. I am no hero, and I'm uncomfortable with the term. The heroes are the men and women that I dug out and buried in the following months. Please never forget the Fallen. Thank you for reading this.
Ynotjenn · F
Quit being a jackass.
I'm one of the ones who wanted to hear the story.
Go back into your little hole with your aluminum foil hats and troll elsewhere.
Ironhand · 51-55, M
Not a place for bullshit conspiracy theories. There were planes. I held pieces of them in my hands.
Ironhand · 51-55, M
Really wasn't posted for a debate about conspiracy theories. I just wanted friends to hear my story. I'm nothing special. I'm alive through sheer luck. I'm certainly no hero or attention seeker. The heroes are all dead, and the attention seekers have long since cashed in. I'm just a man, who did his job to the best of my ability. Maybe I made a difference and maybe I didn't. But I just wanted peace.
bobden · 56-60, M
A very moving reminder of a terrible day, thank you for sharing your experience. In my eyes you and everyone else that was on the receiving end of this atrocity should always be remembered.
Ynotjenn · F
No. Let us not forget what a douche canoe you always turn out to be.
At least you're consistent.
And quite pathetic
uncalled4 · 56-60, M
I love all the conspiracy theorists, they want to believe anything (and will, just because it's f-ed up, no actual reason). I was not at the WTC, but blocks away, working for a major TV network. I saw people coming in, covered in grey soot from head to toe. I also had to edit camcorder footage that was shot from a co-op in Brooklyn for the news. I have all the raw tapes. Some intelligent person wants to believe what I held in my hands was fake, go ahead. I know what I saw. I know what I did. I have copies of the tapes. I did not come close to losing my life but I was stuck in NYC overnight and I HATED feeling like a sitting duck. I didn't really sleep, and the next day the entire world was different.
Degbeme · 70-79, M
I can`t even imagine what you and many others went through that day and the days to follow. :(
Ironhand · 51-55, M
Dude. You can choose to believe me or not. Your opinion means very little to me in the end. I carry scars internal and external. So you can think what you want about me.
SW-User
To live in your world must be a sad existence, humanbeing.
SW-User
Thank you for sharing with us. We will never forget.
Ynotjenn · F
Wow uncalled. That's incredible
agreatday · 61-69, M
always an asshole around.
Ironhand · 51-55, M
You're an idiot.
SW-User
I have no words.
updown2020 · 61-69, M
Well yes if someone is telling you something that's hear say but if you actually see it with your own eye's well it has to be true other wise how did those buildings come down?
Ironhand · 51-55, M
It's funny. How some things stick. I hate the smell of aviation fuel. Can't eat Twinkies anymore. Get a little sweaty around low flying aircraft..Weird.
updown2020 · 61-69, M
Well of course there were planes you even saw it on the news when the planes it the towers.
updown2020 · 61-69, M
What do you mean humanbeing86 the no planes theory?
SW-User
Why can't you eat Twinkies ironhand?
Ironhand · 51-55, M
Uncalled. That means a lot. Thanks for that.
Ironhand · 51-55, M
This is sad..so stop reading if you are squeamish.

Dug out the remains of child. Went through her backpack, to find any type of ID. In her backpack, stuffed animal and a Twinkie. Still see her eyes. Guts me every time. That's a hard one..
Ironhand · 51-55, M
You and me both. Lol..
sighmeupforthat · 46-50, M
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
Ironhand · 51-55, M
You should go to the survivor`s site. They can get you help if you need it. They've been huge for me..
Www.vcf.gov
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
uncalled4 · 56-60, M
No problem. I wished I hadn't worked so early that day. I probably could have skipped it. Looking back, I can say I was present for a major historical event, but I'd rather it had not been THAT one.
Ironhand · 51-55, M
Could have been a older kid with special needs. Little hard to tell..
uncalled4 · 56-60, M
Not comparing experiences, but I get jittery when I see a plane in the air, too. It's worst in NYC where I work, but, hell, almost anywhere. It's probably very mild OCD/PTSD.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
SW-User
Oh God, that's so sad. :(
Ironhand · 51-55, M
Human being..



Ironhand · 51-55, M

 
Post Comment