Walked around Ground Zero today

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

In late August 2001, I ran across the WTC running late to a meeting. Two weeks later I was in London and saw something on TV I still don't grasp.

Today was the first day I was on foot around ground zero. It was a very difficult experience for me. The images, the sights, and mostly, this gigantic empty space where blue sky shined brightly -- well, it brought back raw emotions and hurt that I really don't like.

Difficult day.

(Please, this is not a political thread on either side of the aisle. Just needed to share.)

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

Wife and son were there Thanksgiving weekend, pictures looked like any construction zone.
jim

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by on2wheels52
Wife and son were there Thanksgiving weekend, pictures looked like any construction zone.
jim

How many construction zones are on Hallowed Ground?

Flatbutt1 · 12-05-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by on2wheels52
Wife and son were there Thanksgiving weekend, pictures looked like any construction zone.
jim

I suppose in the absence of any knowledge of the attacks such pictures would appear common. But being there and knowing what happened does make a difference...does your post have a point?

BRPORSCHE · 12-05-2006, 08:20 PM

I think on2wheels just meant with all the chain link fences and the heavy equipment it looks like a construction zone. I have family in that part of the city, and my parents know many people that worked in the building. So, yes I do know the importance of that ground, but since I have been back a few times, it is easy to see how it looks like a dig site.

dd74 · 12-05-2006, 09:00 PM

After 9/11 occurred, I increasingly find it was a true gift to have once stood on the roof of World Trade Center One, look out at WTC 2, Manhattan, The Hudson, and The Atlantic Ocean.

We truly lost a Wonder of the World.

Jims5543 · 12-05-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikester
I have a friend that took pictures from the top of one of them a few days before 9/11 on his vacation.

Spooky

July 5th, 2001, My wife and I took our then 8 y/o son to the observation level. In all the years and all the times I had been to the WTC I had never been on the roof. I noticed the escalator on our way out and promised my son I would take him to the roof next year, we were off to the Statue of Liberty.

I have not been back to NYC since. I know, even 5 years later, it is going to be very tough to go near the old WTC area.

Joeaksa · 12-05-2006, 10:14 PM

Don,

Does it still smell funny? Last time I was there it had a smell, guess from all the debris in the air and was just not right.

Was sitting in the cockpit on the ground in NYC on 9/11 when they hit. We got out of the plane and watched the smoke raise after they hit and then shut everything down and went inside the terminal to watch the coverage. We were stuck there for five days afterwards. Still makes me sad to think about it...

Say a prayer for those who were killed that day and never forget them. At the least they deserve our thoughts and prayers and to do all we can to make sure that their lives were not lost in vain.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I had a job inteview at the WTC one week earlier. The second round was scheduled for 9/11. Because of a percieved mismatch of my talents and the hiring company's needs we mutually agreed to part ways....the second interview was cancelled.

I live approx 30 minutes away and have not been back to that site.

gaijindabe · 12-06-2006, 05:58 AM

I looked into that pit for four and a half years until the a new condo building going up blocked my view from the Woolworth Building. Otherwise it is a disgrace how slowly the re-building has gone forward. A few weeks ago we moved to mid-town and I am kind of glad to be out of there..

BTW - the smell is gone and has been for years. They literally powerwashed the concrete "bath tub" that the WTC was built in.

NICKG · 12-06-2006, 06:46 AM

i went to the site to help on that day....It was one of the most profound events in my life. I still think that they should leave the site a hole...because when they build a new building there, the feelings amd emotions will be lost. There is nothing else that emotes feelings like standing next to the spot where thousands died(well perhaps if i went to a death camp ) you get a deep feeling of loss..almost as if it is in the air around the site drowning out the city noise and racket. What should be there is a hole...with a simple cross stating that we will never forget what happedned here.

RoninLB · 12-06-2006, 07:18 AM

http://www.fdnytenhouse.com/

stevepaa · 12-06-2006, 07:29 AM

We were there in the summer before and we went by subway to WTC. Underground reminded me of Seoul, full of shops and people.

We go to NYC 2-3 times a year. Never been back to WTC area.

Jims5543 · 12-06-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stevepaa
We were there in the summer before and we went by subway to WTC. Underground reminded me of Seoul, full of shops and people.

We go to NYC 2-3 times a year. Never been back to WTC area.

Man, the WTC was our meeting place when we went to NY to visit relatives. My Aunt in a VP for Morgan Stanley and my now deceased uncle owned a financial news rag for the Wll Street types. They both lived in Manhatten and when I came to visit we would meet btween the towers in the summer and in the mall in the winter.

I have had Sunday Brunch in the place the used to be in the lobby of one of the towers with my uncle.

Having not been there since, it is going to be really weird and emotional for me when I actually see there are no more buildings there.

RoninLB - Thanks for the link. Very cool.