Today we remember the events that took place 10 years ago – events that have forever changed the world. As I think back on that time and the impact that it had on me personally, I thought I would share of few of the memories with you.
I remember being in the gym watching the news when the first plane crashed into the WTC – I remember all of us thinking that it was simply a tourist type plane and many leaving the gym to go down to the site to take pictures. I remember watching the news when it was confirmed that this was in fact an attack. I remember when the city had fully locked itself up from all entrances and exits (all tunnels, bridges and trains were closed) – I remember my roommate and friend John Mellor being stuck in one of those tunnels trying to get into the city from the airport. I remember sitting with my colleagues and watching the news in the conference room when the buildings fell. I remember not being able to call out and let my wife know that I was ok – all lines were locked up. I remember when the city forced everyone to be north of 42nd Street (my apartment was on 36th). I remember deciding with my co-worker and best friend Stephen Frieder that we needed to get out of the city and remember running to the nearest Hertz and securing their last rental car. I remember sitting in stopped traffic for hours waiting for them to open any bridge in order to get out of the city. I remember watching people in this same traffic who were in cabs – having to finally get out of the cabs because the meter had crossed their ability to pay.
I remember the relief we felt when they finally opened a bridge (the one we happened to be on) and getting out of the city and going to Chappaqua where Stephen lived. I remember the heart wrenching pain we all felt as we drove by the Chappaqua train station late that night seeing all of the cars that were still there – those that were lost in the tragic events of the day. I remember seeing wives and children at the train station waiting for husbands and fathers to return and the look of total desperation they had. I remember the anticipation and hope on their faces as each train emptied - only to be heartbroken as they realized that their husband and father were not on that train. I remember tears and holding and panic and rage.
I remember returning to the city the next day, walking around and that a city that is typically a faceless city – where you seldom made eye contact with anyone – that now, there was eye contact and contact made with everyone. I remember standing in front of Grand Central Station when the Presidential motorcade drove by, where a group of hundreds of total strangers began to simultaneously sing The Star Spangled Banner – not a dry eye in the group. I remember standing in front of Saks Fifth Avenue and seeing that there were two armed soldiers and each corner of each intersection (8 in each intersection) – how that pattern continued at each intersection as far as I could walk south. 

I remember going down to Canal and buying water and food for the Search & Rescue dogs. I remember the standing ovation that every fire truck received as they drove on their way to ground zero.
I remember walking by the hospitals and the staggering number of posters of people who were missing that were literally covering every inch of walls, fences, windows. I remember going to the park and seeing hundreds of people who were there uniting in the face of the reality we found ourselves in – I remember singing, candles, crying, praying. I remember being 3rd in a line of more than 10 that were wanting to buy the dinner of a group of fire men who came into the restaurant we were in. 

I remember finally being able to return home when the airports finally opened.
I remember the balance of anxiety, fear, confidence and resolution I had as I boarded that flight home. I remember completely breaking down and crying that night as I stood over Whitnee (my then 6 year old daughter) and Hunter (my then 21 month old son) watching them sleep and how grateful I was to be home. 

I would encourage all of us to take a minute and remember how incredibly fortunate we all are and remember those lost 10 years ago today.
Dogs on runway delay Alaska Airlines jet landing
Two dogs on an airport runway in Alaska's capital city delayed the landing of an Alaska Airlines flight.
Dog Daycare Charlotte,NC
