After working for the Port Authority for 37 years, I retired on December 31, 2000. Eight months later, my wife Dorothy and I moved from NJ to begin our dream retirement in Chocowinity, NC. Two weeks later, on September 11, 2001, we were having breakfast on the porch of our new home watching the landscapers finishing up the outside work. One of them suggested we go in and turn on the news. We watched the building come done over ... and over ... and over. I sat down and cried.
The hardest part was being in a completely new environment, over 500 miles from family and friends. My neighbors were shocked and horrified, but for them, it was not a personal. I knew many of the Port Authority employees who died and worked directly with several of them. For year, the mention of 9/11 brought on such a profound sense of sadness, that I could not talk about it. It will never forget those who lost their lives in such a horrible way, especially my friends and coworkers.
I have given several presentations on "The History of the Port Authority", "Construction of the Twin Towers", and the Fall — "9/11 and the Aftermath". The people of Greensboro, NC are reminded to Never Forget.
