I was in New York City on September 11, 2001, actually in Maspeth, Queens, which is right across the East River from lower Manhattan. When I heard all the sirens, I knew disaster was happening, so I turned on the TV and started to watch these terrible events unfold. I was in the church basement, so I ran up stairs and out onto the street and saw the burning Twin Towers. I went back down and continued to watch. My pastor joined me. He was full of anxiety because his brother worked in the WTC. Fortunately he found his brother in a hospital three days later, but what a suffering he went through not knowing whether he was alive or dead.
I remember all the soot in the air and how it made us all cough.
We had a local Haz-Mat firehouse near us and they were some of the first to respond. We lost 26 fire-fighters that day from that fire house. The next day we had a memorial service for them and I read off all their names during the service from the pulpit. It was very emotional because many of those brave people went to our church for Mass.
I try not to think about those days and that tragic day of 9/11 too much but I do pray for all the souls who lost their lives. I share this video with you so that we will never forget those who died especially the brave men and women who tried to save others!
This home video of the 9/11 terror attack on the World Trade Center was filmed from a 36th floor apartment very close to the North Tower. It's a view of 911 that you may not have seen and one that you should.
The events of 9/11 are familiar to everyone. Perhaps so much so that over time many have become desensitized to the actual events of that day. To me, what is absolutely chilling, is how the video captures the personal experience of the couple shooting the video. It is their comments, telephone calls, shock and anguish that brings back a flood of emotions from that day. It was released on the 5th anniversary of 9/11.
The events of 9/11 are familiar to everyone. Perhaps so much so that over time many have become desensitized to the actual events of that day. To me, what is absolutely chilling, is how the video captures the personal experience of the couple shooting the video. It is their comments, telephone calls, shock and anguish that brings back a flood of emotions from that day. It was released on the 5th anniversary of 9/11.
Deacon John Giglio
