I felt that I just had to go there.

It was not the primary reason for my visit to the New York / New Jersey area.  Yet, after driving over 1200 miles from Birmingham, Alabama, a 30 minute train ride to New York City from Woodbridge, NJ did not seem burdensome.  Like every other patriotic American who feels like they lost a thousand family members on September 11, 2001, a trip to Ground Zero would allow me to pay my respects and in some way honor the many heroes who died there for their country.

What follows over the next few pages are just a few of the images captured by camera on a beautiful, sunny Sunday of November 18, 2001.  There are thousands of other images that just could not be adequately communicated in two dimensions. These images have to be felt and experienced in person in order to even begin to comprehend the magnitude of this tragedy.

I took my first train ride in over 35 years from the MetroPark station in NJ early that Sunday morning into New York City’s Penn Station. Not at all sure what to expect, it sure was a blessing to meet up with a nice couple who had lived in New Jersey now for 8 years. Thanks for your friendly advice and help Mr. and Mrs. Omaha, Nebraska. :o)

Wow! Penn Station!!! Supposedly the busiest train station in the world and I was immediately convinced. If the crowds were this large on a Sunday morning, I’d hate to be there during rush hour!

Possibly the best Krispy Kreme doughnuts I’ve ever had were devoured that morning in Penn Station.

Mr. and Mrs. Nebraska even helped me find the right way to the subway trains and suggested that I take the number 2 train to Park Place Station. When I stepped up to purchase a subway token (the machines still confuse me at times), I asked the nice lady behind the glass which train went to the World Trade Center.

She said “You mean Ground Zero? There isn’t a World Trade Center anymore.”

So true.

It was always interesting to ask the local citizens where they were, how they felt, in what ways had the tragedy affected them. A large majority of those I spoke with still cannot bring themselves to visit the site due to the pain and ever present memories.

AREA ONE

You could tell pretty soon that after several stations, the remaining riders were all headed to the same destination.  Everyone was silent, wondering what to expect.  When we exited the Park Place Station into the bright sunshine, the first thing we saw was the chain link fence and a map pointing out a walking tour around the site.

It was around 9:30 a.m. and church had already started at St. Peter’s and a large crowd was getting their first views of the destruction.  The enormity of it strikes you immediately – especially if you had visited the World Trade Center area in previous visits.  And you are quickly reminded once again, that television just doesn’t do it justice.

On one trip to NYC, I had stayed at the Millennium Hilton right across the street from the Twin Towers.  I had arrived after midnight, and was in awe the next morning when I looked out the window at the amazing symbols of our human achievement.

I’ll never forget that moment.

And I’ll never forget the moment the first tower started crumbling into history.

Old Glory was everywhere, and I was proud of it!  I for one hope the pride in our country and the honoring of those who have protected our freedoms over the past centuries only increases.

There were obviously still heroes everywhere around the disaster site.  I saw numerous visitors stop and shake the hand of many of New York’s Finest or a fireman.

Even though they may have wished everyone would stop taking photos and gawking around every corner, I hope they all realize that we were there to pay our respects.

I honestly felt that they appreciated our reverence and homage.  It sure was evident to me from the tears on all the faces in the crowd.