I was born and raised in Manhattan. N.Y.C. is my Hometown. This is a sad anniversary every year. Even as I watched on TV, the whole thing had a surreal quality to it. I kept thinking, this can't be real. It affected a lot of lives and changed quite a few permanently.

One good thing to come out of it was the unity that New Yorkers showed and the good will that everyone else showered us with. The anniversary has one other important meaning for me... it was the day my son made the decision to become a firefighter. Two short years later, he graduated at the top of his class at the New York City Fire Dept Training Center and was rewarded by the NYFD commanders by being assigned to replace one of the fallen 911 heros at Engine 6 in lower Manhattan. It has always been a source of deep pride for me that my son picked up where one of the fallen hero first responders had left off. My son has saved many lives in his time in the NYFD. I am fiercly proud of him and always will be. If you click on my name up above, it'll take you to my profile page. It features a photo of my son on graduation day from the NYFD academy holding my grandson in his arms. He's all of 6'3" and all muscle. Just the guy you want if you need to be carried out of a burning building!

Hats off to the first responders who ran in - while everyone else was running out.

John - Proud father of a New York City Firefighter!

Kind words, Salty. A truly retrospective, reflective day, for all. Difficult to describe my feelings, with each passing anniversary (gotta' be a better term; rememberance?). So many emotions run strong.

Anyway, I grew up on LI and spent many, many days and nights enjoying downtown NYC and the city as a whole; did a couple of work projects there, too. I have been in the buildings and enjoyed the awesome vantage point they provided, and bopped around the area that encompassed them. Standing out front and looking up, was dizzying. A great place to take pictures and experience the buzz of the world's capital. Knowing they are not there anymore, is strange to me. I have not been to Ground Zero during visits back east and into the city. Weird I can't bring myself to go. Denial, I suppose. It's hard.

Hats off, hearts out, for your firefighting son, Purdie. Thanks again, Salty.

B

Very sad and somber day for all those lost, family and friends.

This day is and always will be remembered by us Canadians...It reminds us of how strong we stand together in crisis...All of us North Americans were united and felt the pain together, but, we also showed courage and bravery together as well...It doesn't matter what country you live in...We were all in this together...

I personally salute all those that provided aid on this horrific day...THANK YOU ALL!!!

Bowing

Salty, you summed it up best my friend...

Cheers

As a volunteer Fireman here in the small community I live in ,to this day i do not have words to express the sacrifice of so many i never knew who gave their live in the service of others May god bless all the families who lost loved ones that day and i hope the US never gives in to terrorists....

I haven't posted here in a few days,and just noticed this thread.I was one of those first responders.I was retired from the NYPD less than a year,but my son worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in the Trade Center,so I had to go.Luckily,he had stopped off to use a port-o-potty around the corner,because he had an extra cup of coffee on the ferry from Staten Island.Thats when the first Tower fell.

I spent 3 days on the "pile" as it became to be known.I can remember it like it happened yesterday.I lost a few friends,a couple of whom I knew through boy scouting.

What happened that day should never be forgotten,and should serve as a reminder to all that live in the U.S., that freedom is never free.

John....be very proud of your son.It takes a special kind of person to have the courage to run into danger,while others are running away.

Steve B

Was working intel prior to this one. Found myself in a room of computers with the news on. It was not a good day. I've since come to terms with all that it carried.

I don't talk much about that day,still to today.I was their in the South Tower with a friend.We were out side when the first plane hit then the second plane hit.I will never forget the sound of the jet's hitting the Tower's..Sometime's at night still till this day i still hear the plane's and re-live that SAD day.....Mikey