My Views of the WTC Post-9/11

Well it has been almost 10 years since the World Trade Center towers came down.

Howard had worked in tower Two and I had visited often. We had moved to Kansas City and heard the news while we were there. We came back to New York for my parents 50th anniversary and our immediate family was staying in NYC for a movie and a show.My brother Kenny was working at the site as part of the environmental cleanup and was able to get us into the site. I can still remember the smelling the rubble still smoldering.

Howard and I moved back to New York and I eventually took a job for Moody’s Investor Service. The original building was at 99 Church Street. I had to take the PATH train into New Jersey on a weekly basis and I was glued to the windows as the train snaked through “the pit”. At that time that was the only way to see what was left to be cleaned up and the start of the rebuilding.

Then as the Silverstein Corporation completed 7 WTC our company moved. So I guess this is where the real story starts.

My office is on the 19th floor looking south into “the pit.” So for the last four years or so I have watched the rebirth of Ground Zero.

As I came in every morning I would look out my window and survey Ground Zero and watch the cleanup continue. They were still digging and drilling down into the bedrock and cleared dirt and rocks and water from the river would seep in. Then ended my day with a farewell til tomorrow.

See Photo 1.

I remember the first time they had the ramp from street level down into “the pit” so that they could get trucks in and out. As September 11th approached, they cleared room out the base of the ramp and set up a pool. On the morning of 9/11, they had flags of the world adorn the railing leading down to a pool of water guarded by our armed forces. Families and dignitaries came from all over to pay tribute by laying flowers in the water and back up the ramp. The next day it was back to construction as usual.

See Photo 2.

As time went by, you would see tours of dignitaries visit and pay tribute to our fallen heros and see the progress at Ground Zero. Each day I came to work, rain or shine, I watched the progress. My dad was a construction worker and I remember going to his job during summer months and sat on all of the trucks and machinery. It was like my Tonka toys came to life. But to my dad it was a job. He came home rain or shine and continued his day as a dedicated father and husband.

So as I look out of my window I am reminded of my dad. We lost him in 2003, but I can feel him beside me telling me about all of the construction equipment and details of the projects. So yes, I look out on the workers in all of the elements throughout the year and feel for them working. But then I remember that as my dad completed working at each job site,  he would bring us back and be proud to show off his completed project - and tell us all about it.

Here we have men and women doing the same as my dad. Now think of that as these men and women are working on the largest and most important construction site in the world. They are making history with the pride of the country with every movement they make.

See Photos.

So my routine continues each day I come to work. I am blessed to be able to take pictures and send them to family and friends to show them the progress. I have also hosted many out of town guests that come to see the site through my office windows.

A couple of years ago, during the presidential campaig,n the 9/11 ceremony was visited by the soon to be president, Barack Obama, and John McCain. It was exciting to see their visit.  

See Photos.

This week we found out that Osama bin laden was killed and President Obama visited the site once again. It was again very excited to see the set up of camera crews, dignitaries, family members of 9/11 victims and finally our president.

I am not only proud to be an American but proud to know that with …