A View From WTC: Rebuilding After 9/11

Like most New Yorkers, Robert Powers, of Malverne, lost friends when the Twin Towers collapsed on 9/11. Now, 10 years later, as the city continues to rebuild what was lost, he shares the unique view he has from his office window at 7 World Trade Center.

I had been in the Twin Towers numerous times. My partner Howard worked in one of the Towers for AON Insurance, but we left New York City when he took a job in Kansas City, Missouri. 

On Sept. 11, 2001 we heard the news reports that planes had hit the towers. That night and days following, we were glued to the TV following the coverage. We made numerous calls back to New York to try to locate our friends and work mates.

That December we were in NYC for a visit. My oldest brother worked for an environmental company that was part of the clean-up process underway at Ground Zero. He was able to get us into the dignitaries' podium to view the smoldering rubble, a sight and smell I will never forget.

No matter where in the country we have gone since we find people to be understanding when they hear that we were from New York. Most everyone had known someone who had worked in the towers or had been to the towers themselves.

It is going on 10 years and I now work at 7 WTC. My office overlooks Ground Zero and I am watching the daily progress. I have heard the horror stories of lost souls and how survivors lived to see another day. But what I have also taken away from this tragedy is the strength that the people of New York conveyed that day and every one since. We are a friendlier people. We now know that no matter how bad things may seem there are better days ahead. I see people now enjoying life more and spending more time with family and friends.

As for myself, I have grown stronger and have a desire to make better decisions for ourselves and future generations. I look out my office window to see the daily progress. I know that the world will never forget, but we must move forward for a better tomorrow.