20 years later sharing my personal memories from 9/11/2001

 

I dedicate this post to all of the families, friends, the NYPD, the FDNY, all of the employees who were working at the World Trade Center buildings, the pedestrians who we around that building, the students, teachers who helped, guided, and kept all of their students safe that day. I dedicate this to New York City my birthplace, my hometown, “The Melting Pot”, “The Big Apple”, and “The Empire State” we continue to reinvent, rebuild, and come back stronger, wiser, and better despite all obstacles, issues, or challenges in our society and world. So I want to share my story. I hear the stories, see the photos, and videos. Along with all of you we remember where we were on September 11, 2001. I dedicate the music, the songs to everyone who was down by Ground Zero up until the unveiling of the Freedom Tower too. 

The dramatic change of that day stays with us in our hearts and minds. I was 14 going on 15 a new sophomore transferring from Academy of Sacred Heart School in Hoboken, NJ to Cathedral High School in midtown Manhattan. Cathedral High School is located in the Sutton Place section of Manhattan close to the Upper East Side. It’s associated with the Archdiocese of New York. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is our home church. It was an honor and privilege to be transferring in to this school.

I remember my first interview with the principal, Mr. Vincent was my first meeting with the school. Just the sweetest man, helpful, and made my transition from Academy of Sacred Heart to Cathedral High School very easy. I started my first day of my sophomore year at Cathedral High School on September 10

, 2001. Absolutely stunning, gorgeous day probably in the high 80s not a cloud in site. I just remember how beautiful it was around that time. You couldn’t ask for a better day and more picture-perfect day. My first day of being a part of Cathedral. I was still learning how to get around the city and travel. I remember the girls at my school were funny, rambunctious, energetic, some were more reserved, some really bold, creative, honest, and spunky. They all had this amazing energy and a close friendship connection instantly. I loved being welcomed. So while everything was great with the new experience of a new school. There was something looming and hovering in our midst that we were not expecting at all. Coming back home honestly was one of the most significant days I look back and that day before 9/11 plays in my mind. The normalcy let’s call that the last time we had complete normalcy and anonymity. On the morning of 9/11/2001 I was on my way to school following the subway route my mother showed me. Take the Path train to the World Trade Center then take the E train to 53rd and Lexington to your school. It was about 7:30-7:40 in the morning we took the train and we saw the teachers of Cathedral were on strike that morning.

    My mom dropped me off and I went on in to my class. My first class that morning was Spanish with my high school teacher, Mrs. Sanabria-Kenny. I remember everyone is just talking, laughing, and then Father Poveromo made the announcement that “Two planes just striked the World Trade Center and there has been a terrorist attack”. We need to evacuate the classrooms and get everyone home. We were all instantly terrified worrying about our family, friends, and panicked. Phone lines were jammed I would say for about the next 5-8 hours phone lines for cell phones, home phones, and pay phones were blocked. 

We all could not reach our families we couldn’t leave the building we were escorted to the gymnasium downstairs. We were told to calm down sit and wait for our parents to show up. Looking back the reality that many parents who worked in downtown were not coming back to pick up their children. It was the scariest feeling and I can’t believe we all could even remain that centered during that moment. Some were panicked, some were terrified, but I do remember some people just taking it upon themselves to get in touch with someone. I didn’t realize that day I went inside that particular Sbarro would be the last time I would see some of the people who were apart of this staff, the building, and who would be some of the last faces I would see in that particular part of the World Trade Center building. We used to live in Jersey City by the Hudson River, Newport Mall, and the waterfront area. We had a direct view of the skyline and buildings. I stopped at Sbarro the Italian restaurant spot located inside the World Trade Center.

 I remember that day I was so excited my mom actually showed me how to get from the WTC center path train back home. It was beautiful, tons of shopping malls, restaurants, places to sit, visit, and so much to do. Plus you had the financial atmosphere amongst you too. I didn’t realize the WTC was going to become a significant part of my life actually. Years later I had the opportunity to watch the WTC be rebuilt again from (2002-2015). I was working in the area, shopping, visiting. I was able to watch and see the growth, the amazing transformation. We rebuilt, we became better, stronger, and found a way to remember that day. I have had countless memories where I watched and celebrated Patriot’s day. So every time I step foot it’s like walking on holy ground it’s sacred now. It’s fused with history underneath your feet and around you from Church street, Chambers street, Fulton street. Just rich history and with that significant event that defined our lives in New York City. It’s etched in my heart forever. It still feels like just yesterday and I can remember that day. It changed the course of America, of our world, and it changed being anonymous. It became clear we all had to prove ourselves and walk with our identification at any moments notice. I remember the transformation from just anonymity when you walked into government offices, your own personal work office, and any other building with massive sizes of people no cards, just either someone would call to let you know your guest arrived but after this dramatic and transformative moment everything was stepped up and reinforced for everyone’s protection. 9/11 was one of the biggest and defining moments of this generation. How would I say it’s different in this day and generation it’s more detailed and lack of privacy actually. Especially in terms of what you want to keep to yourself. It’s a different process when it comes to moving, migrating from a different country, we are more thorough, well equipped, and prepared for all domestic and international visitors traveling throughout the country. Our country has become more advanced with protecting all of our loved ones, with technology we have faster ways to get in touch with each other, and we are safer than we ever could be in this time. Through the advancements of cybersecurity, security with the FAA, and all government agencies. We are not perfect but are in such a better place where we can feel at home and protected. Let’s thank all of our armed forces, the Navy, Air Force, FDNY, FDDC, FDPA, and all of our law enforcement and government employees who were there that day and afterwards literally picking up the pieces and helping us rebuild. I am thankful to the almighty for giving me even more purpose to write this story, to witness this story unfold and see a beautiful happy ending. I missed it by an hour and 20 minutes and I never forget. Grateful every day. We will never forget and will always have the souls in our hearts. 

Visit https://www.911memorial.org/ to support the 9/11 commission, memorial fund, and the victims families still need us after all of these years.