September 11, 2001
September 11, 2001
Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was a bright, beautiful morning in the Northeast, especially in NYC. I distinctly remember thinking exactly that as I exited the subway at the World Trade Center for a quick walk to my office on Exchange Place a couple of blocks away in downtown NYC. This was well before the first hijacked aircraft that left Boston and was flown into Tower 1.
I know I was thinking about what a gorgeous day it was – morning temperatures in the 60s, nothing but puff clouds. I love puff clouds. It was one of those rare days after a very hot summer that I had just spent in East Hampton, NY. That morning my heart was still in East Hampton but also happy to be back in my town after many weeks of vacation.
That day I was happy to be back. It had been a great summer and work always made me excited. I had great plans for the future of my sales team.
Of course, the sad memory for me and many others is not of the blue sky, puff clouds and the temperature, but the aftermath of what happened in both NYC and Washington DC after the planes hit their intended targets. It took the wind out of me.
I arrived at my office on the 55th floor of my Exchange Place building at 8:25am. I was Chief of Sales of the New York office and my day included a sales meeting with my staff and an assortment of other sales tasks including a visitor from one of our Boston offices that was coming to meet with me that morning. I was drinking my coffee and planning for a very busy day. The view from my office window looked at both towers.
Truth be told, I never loved that view as it always gave me an eerie feeling. Little did I know! They were both so close to my window that I would complain that it took some of my view away. In addition, those 60s building were so very ugly.
That morning I was reminded of how unnerving the view was when the first plane hit Tower 1 at 8:46am.
Deep in thought and facing Tower 1 I rocked in my chair in a thunderous jolt. I dropped my coffee cup and I was wearing a white shirt. I saw the most unbelievable burst of fire and flame in front of me. Almost like a movie. So perfect and big and red and orange and yellow and real. REAL. I was stunned. I saw paper, furniture, and PEOPLE being blown out of this picture. Many people flying in the air. I had no idea what had happened. I immediately felt faint.
The first plane entered from the west side of Tower 1. My view was on the east side. The plane went in the west side of the 96th floor and the east side blew out. You can only just imagine what I saw. Technology then was not what it is today or I would have photographed the picture. Sadly.
While I collected my thoughts, I got up to see who else was in the office so early. I did not have to go far they were all behind me in my office because they heard the impact and came in to see what was happening. I did not know they were there. I was in shock.
Many of us were looking at this horrific picture out my window when less than 15 minutes later we were startled by a very loud sounding machine. We looked out my other window which facing west looked directly at the Hudson River and we saw a very large plane (black from the high speed) at my window height racing down the Hudson River aiming for Tower 2. It entered the 55th floor.
On impact, my office shook and I fell backwards into the chair I was sitting in. The impact was so loud and shocking that we all knew this was more than an accident. More paper, furniture and PEOPLE were flying out of the window. I saw a piece of fuselage exploding out the 55th floor window and I watched it fall to the ground almost hitting someone. I was now numb.
I evacuated the office and we headed out of the building and on to the street.
To me it was quickly becoming apparent that this was a terrorist attack. However, by whom?
This is where my life changed.
I live in America where I am safe and secure. This stuff happens everywhere else. This day, this stuff, was happening in my city and in my America.
I cannot ever describe properly what took place for me over the next 5 hours. I was in war. I was running for my life. I was covered in ash. I tripped and fell. I ran for my life. I helped everyone around me as everyone else was doing. We were under a plumb of smoke and not able to see much. We were directed by law enforcement to head east towards the FDR highway because the Henry Hudson Pkwy on the west side was under siege. We had to walk to our homes.
At the time, I lived on Central Park West and 62nd Street, The Century Condominium and I just had to get there.
On that journey, we had to scale two fences, run through river banks as I watched many people give up and jump into the East River because they couldn't keep up.
Then Tower 1 fell to the ground and the sound was deafening. OMG.
The brick and mortar, metal and glass spewed all around us.
The fighter pilot planes above the plumb were so loud it sounded like we were being attacked again. Remember on the ground we had no idea what was happening. Rumor on the street was that a war had begun but no one knew why but we knew that America was under attack.
We lost cell phone access and communications were lost for many hours until I got home 5 hours later and put on the TV.
Then Tower 2 fell and something hit me in my back. I didn’t know what it was but someone screamed. I just focused hard on survival. I was in war.
I was covered in ash from head to toe and dripping wet from the river banks when I arrived home to my building. My legs hurt, my back painful from the piece of metal that hit me. Out of breath and crying hysterically as I got to my building and saw my door staff. They started crying with me when they saw me as they knew I worked downtown.
I got to my apartment where I remained in seclusion for 7 days before I had the strength or the energy or the courage to leave. I was locked in and I watched the wall-to-wall coverage. I never wanted to leave my home.
My day finally ended and I had no understanding as to what had happened to my very peaceful and prosperous world. I realized that our life had changed forever.
The New York skyline changed and would never be the same. The entire downtown of Manhattan looked like a war zone, like somewhere else in the world.
For weeks out of my windows I could see the smoke pillowing northward from the burning scene. This went on forever. The air smelled like death.
Why did life have to change? Why did so many Americans have to die?
What was happening? Where was life heading?
22 years later
Two decades after its destruction in the Sept. 11 attacks, the work to rebuild the World Trade Center complex has been completed leaving the buildings burial site untouched.. at the site where nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks that day.
I remember so many friends and clients who worked on the 96th and 97th floors and all of them perished in this tragedy. I can never forget their names, faces, personalities and so many fun times as I spent years selling them technology. They all worked in IT for Marsh & McLennan Insurance. ALL OF THEM GONE.
On this anniversary of 9/11, we hear from many news journalists who were there, in the streets, in the air, and in the newsroom, reporting on the events as the tragedy unfolded, capturing the unforgettable video of that day, and risking their lives to tell the world what was happening. In addition, the first responders and health care workers working around the clock to figure it out and keep us as safe as possible over the course of many hours.
It was a day that changed America forever.
As a New Yorker, and an American I believe in my country just as I did all those years ago when I was running for my life. I knew then that my country would take care of me. I still believe that today.
I write and post about this every year as it was life changing for me even though I had an easier time compared to thousands of others and especially those who died. I am reminded that our life is precious and through the years, we continue to be tested like no other.
I remember in 2014 when my radio show/podcast was brand-new I decided to dedicate the full hour to the events of 9/11. Being a real estate show, I felt the events had ties to our great city.
The show was profound, emotional and so rewarding. And the listenership was beyond belief. I still occasionally get comments about that show.
I invited Howard Lutnick on the program who was the CEO and owner of Cantor Fitzgerald, a company that lost 658 employees that day. Howard was not yet in the office but his brother was and he perished.
Howard was not available to attend so he suggested his sister Edie Lutnick on who is a co-founder of the Charity she cofounded with her brother for the victims of 9/11. She arrived in studio with my other guests for the hour-long tribute.
I had never met Edie but was immediately captivated by her intelligence and determination to continue a Charity 13 years later that has provided assistance to so many people.
I decided to open my show with a personal reading of my experience of that dreadful day. I could hardly get through my script without breaking down. Each time I looked up at my guests around the table with me on set and through the glass wall that housed the control room, I saw and heard everyone crying hysterically, including all my engineers. Everyone had a very personal memory, not just me.
I pushed through the reading and immediately went to a 3 minute commercial so we could compose. The show finished well and we all hugged while saying good-bye. It remains one of my favorites in the archive.
I write and update this narrative every year since the September 11 attacks but this year it was very hard to update. In between memories and tears, I am reminded that as much as we want to believe everything is OK in the world or in our much-divided country, it is not and it is up to us to make a difference.
I pray that other New Yorkers or Americans everywhere never have to experience what I did so many years ago. It has been a lifetime of painful memories and struggles to be there on that day for myself and many others. I pray for all who died or have been handicapped due to serious injury. I applaud the first responders and everyone involved in trying to keep all of us safe. So many people have had mental health issues because of these events and as I always look for ways to ‘give back” these are the times that I feel so compelled to share my time and history for the betterment of our society. We shall…
“Never Forget”
#neverforget
Climate Change
Ten years ago, Hurricane Sandy hit New York City’s shores, causing $19 billion in damages and killing 44 residents.
Three months ago, Gotham’s skies turned orange as smoke from Canadian wildfires coated the skies.
Climate change is a global phenomenon resulting from human-induced activities and has had profound consequences on cities across the world. Among these cities, New York City has experienced significant impacts due to its vulnerability to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and heat waves. The effects of climate change in NYC are undeniable and have wide-ranging implications for the city's economy, society, and environment.
The economic burden of maintaining and repairing infrastructure, the social inequalities exacerbated by climate change, and the environmental degradation all underscore the urgency of addressing this global issue.
Mitigation and adaptation strategies are essential to minimize the impacts of climate change in NYC. Investments in resilient infrastructure, renewable energy sources, and community-based initiatives can help.
Additionally, policies that prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities and ensure equitable access to resources are crucial steps towards creating a more sustainable and resilient future for NYC.
The impact of climate change is all around us, and its denial based on GREED and PIGGERY will destroy all of us.
Climate Change is REAL.. get rid of fossil fuels and repair the damage to our planet and society soon or else.
Do it With Social Media…
Social media marketing has become an essential tool for businesses across industries, including the real estate sector.
With its wide reach, targeting capabilities, and engaging features, social media platforms provide a unique opportunity to connect with potential buyers, highlight properties, and build brand awareness.
You need to:
- Define your target audience
- Choose the right platforms
- Create compelling content
- Utilize targeted advertising
- Engage with your audience
- Collaborate with influencers
- Utilize hashtags and geotagging
- Monitor analytics and adjust your strategy
Remember, building a strong social media presence takes time and consistency. Engage with your audience regularly, stay active, and adjust your strategy based on feedback and analytics.
By leveraging social media effectively, you can enhance your real estate marketing efforts and create a strong digital presence in today's competitive market.
My Personal Journey
A person's personal journey is unique and shaped by their experiences, choices, and circumstances. It can involve physical, emotional, and spiritual growth, as well as setbacks and challenges.
This journey may include various milestones such as graduating from school, starting a career, getting married, having children, and retiring. It may also involve overcoming obstacles such as illness, loss, and personal struggles.
Throughout their journey, a person may discover their passions and purposes, and develop their values and beliefs. They may learn to navigate relationships, develop resilience, and find meaning and fulfillment in their lives.
The path of a person's personal journey is not always linear, and may involve detours, changes in direction, and unexpected twists and turns. However, each experience can contribute to their growth and development, and ultimately shape who they become.
So a person's personal journey is a unique and ongoing process of growth, learning, and self-discovery, shaped by their experiences, choices, and circumstances.
And my journey is being documented in a book I’m writing… Lost between Fiction and a Dream…
Follow the journey of a young boy dreaming of wanting to be a major movie star… and eventually meeting one and falling in love.
I hope that it will be out early next year.