I was born in NY and had lived in that area my entire life until I moved to the midwest in 2000, and it will always be home to me. I had been to the World Trade Center on many occasions and, in light of the tragic events that have happened, I am very happy that I was able to take this picture in the fall of 2000.




The beautiful NY Skyline was visible from the windows of my classes in high school. I remember a teacher telling us that people from all over the world visit that skyline and, along with the Statue of Liberty, many of the nation's immigrants coming to America dreamed of seeing that skyline, although it looked very different back then. It was a symbol of freedom and each time we, as students in that classroom, looked out upon the skyline, we should always remember the many people who came to America for freedom and to never take that for granted! This is something that has stayed with me through the years and I considered myself very lucky to see those buildings each and every day!



September 11th taught us all that anything can happen. During the first week or so after the attacks, I had trouble sleeping and felt frightened at what had just happened and what will be happening.

In the weeks following September 11th, for me personally, I learned alot about myself. Life is just too short and you never know what can happen in an instant to change your life and your world forever. I made some personal changes in my life. I took steps in personal relationships as well...some grew...some ended...some are new! I make sure that those I love know it every day.

I'll still get teary-eyed when I see news coverage about that day. In my mind's eye, I will forever see the Twin Towers in the NY skyline. I knew of some people who were in the towers that day...some of them made it to safety, but a few didn't. I still keep the families of those who lost their lives that day in my prayers.

I will always remember where I was on September 11, 2001 (like most of us will)...I was at work in Downtown Chicago when I heard the news over the radio. I watched the towers crumble on the television in the conference room, in between phone calls to my boyfriend (now husband) Jeff. Because the office was so close to the Sears Tower, we were sent home at about 9:30 a.m. CST, as just about all of Chicago was evacuated. I made a million phone calls when I got home to make sure that my friends and family were safe...and thank God, they were...During those various conversations, everyone either knew someone personally, or of someone who had a loved one in those buildings.

The world changed forever that day...even though life has moved forward...we will never forget that day.



I took a trip to my hometown in NJ in August 2002. While I was there, I wanted to pay my respects to the thousands of victims who lost their lives at the World Trade Center. Since I was not able to make it into NYC to Ground Zero, we went to the waterfront in Jersey City (Exchange Place)...a place I had been so many times before..where the skyline seems so close you could reach out and touch it.

I stood on the pier and looked into the darkness of that empty sky in disbelief. Seeing the events of that day unfold in the news coverage did not prepare me for seeing this in person. There was such an erie calm along the waterfront that evening...the water was quiet and the small chatter between people seemed whispered... there were no words at the time to describe what I felt.

The waterfront was filled with many people...people who were there for maybe the same reason I was...some had cameras, some were silent, others (like me) just stared. One moment stands out in my mind and brought me to tears....there were about 5 PSE&G (electric company) workers who were either already working, beginning/ending a shift, or had just gathered there. A few moments later, they all removed their hats, stood side by side facing the skyline, in silence. After a minute or two they disassembled and went about their business as usual. Chills ran through my body, tears filled my eyes and I was overwelmed with emotion... I was proud to have witnessed such a moment...we truly will never forget!




May God Bless the families of all the victims whose lives were innocently lost in the World Trade Center, Pentagon and on the four hijacked planes...

May God Bless the families of all the firefighters and policemen whose lives were lost in the line of duty...

May God Bless the firefighters, policemen, volunteers, Red Cross, doctors, nurses, and all other charitable organizations involved in the rescue and recovery efforts...these men and women are truly America's Heroes....

May God Bless America...keep us strong and united during these troubled times. Fly your flag proudly...it's the symbol of our country, our freedom, and above all else, it's worth fighting for.