Every year I think of this post. And yes, I've edited the poster's name ... perhaps this is a time they might not want to remember.
I just finished drinking a chocolate milk ... it seems the American thing to do.
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A Surveyors first hand account of this morning's tragedy.
Posted By P. S. on 9/11/2001 at 10:18 PM
As time goes by, for whatever reason, I am finding it increasingly more difficult to talk about. But I will give it a shot.We were working in the southerly portion of Staten Island, not even for 15 minutes, when I heard what sounded like construction blasting.One of the residents had come out of her home, and asked us if we knew what was going on in Manhattan. We both said "NO" and she proceeded to explain about the first plane hitting the WTC. About 2 minutes later, our boss called on the cell phone, told us to get out of the city immediately. Not knowing what was going on, we rushed to get out of the city. About 2 miles north of where we were, I noticed what I hoped was just a cloud. When we got a little further on, to our horror, I was wrong. While we rushed to get to the nearest bridge, my coworker took out the camera.Finally get to the bridge...nope no way out, all bridges, tunnels, trains CLOSED, indefinately. The Police funneled traffic to the local streets.We decided to waste some time by driving to find a good place to snap a few more photos. We finally get to a spot, and what we saw, was nothing like the views on TV, nothing.My coworker got out and while I was circling around to pick him up, the boss called yet again. As I was turning down a road, I witnessed the 2nd WTC tower implode. I tried to explain to my boss what I was witnessing, I don't even know if I was even speaking intelledgible (spelling?).When I caught up with my coworker, I was able to park and see from a still point of view this awful tragedy.But in the midst of all these events happening before our eyes, I did witness something good, something we needed. People from all races, creeds were standing together, no petty differences, no ill will towards each other. One people standing as one, some comforting each other, some expressing their fear or anger, but as one people.Finally make back near the bridge, stuck in the worst traffic jam I have ever seen. What do I see, strangers just chatting to each other, people that on a normal day would not even give the time of day to the other.Drivers of milk, bread, soda, snack trucks, without being told or asked, opened thier trucks for all to have, and AT NO CHARGE!In spite of this evil I witnessed, I saw the good that we are capable of. I was given a glass bottle of chocolate milk (which was delicious), but I am not getting rid of that bottle. For me, it is a symbol of the good that is in all of us, even when the evil is at our doorstep.May God bless all those killed and wounded senselessly, and God help the SOB's that are behind this, he is going to be their only help (I HOPE!!)Most importantly...GOD BLESS AMERICA!!Thanks for letting me vent.
