9/11/01 started out like every other day. Up early, catch NJ Transit to Hoboken, PATH to 1 WTC, then elevator to my 68th floor office. For 15 years, I almost always went out for coffee at 9:30. Today would have been no different if not for a 9:00 meeting. I must have gone out around 8:15 to get my coffee from a vendor on Church Street. We chatted a bit and I headed back.
At some point I heard a jet and looked up. It all happened very fast but in retrospect, it seemed longer. I remember thinking an American Airlines 727 was in trouble and flying way too low. I saw it turn, heading for the Hudson. My mind said the wing clipped tower 1. At this point, I could not believe that it was aimed at the building. The explosion sounded like the closing of a barn door. Nothing sharp; a big "woomf."
Instincts kicked in and I ran. I knew I had to let my wife know I was alright, but this was pre cells, so I stopped at a pay phone. I made a collect call to my mother because my wife's office phone number was on the 68th floor. My mother wouldn't accept the call. Geez, thanks mom...
A few blocks, I tried again. This time she accepted. I told her what happened and I was on the ground and alright and to call my wife and let her know.
I headed for the Hudson. I passed a smoking jet engine in the street with people leaning on it looking south at the burning building. This perplexed me since I saw the plane heading southwest and there was no way it could have bounced to the north. You must remember I was in the middle of everything and had no idea this was not an accident by a single plane.
I quickly got to the NY York Waterways ferry loading people. I heard a second plane hit 2 World Trade Center. I made my way onto the ferry and saw people jumping from 1 WTC as we pulled out. Then a third plane had hit the Pentagon. It all made sense now.
I was sitting on a train in Hoboken when the buildings came down. I was in shock and didn't watch. Eventually I was at my station.
I walked to my wife's office to get her car keys. We headed home. Arriving, our garage door was pasted with notes.
