The morning of 9/11, I was working as the gang leader of the car inspectors in Newark. I had a special radio that allowed me to hear the communications of PA police. I started hearing reports of a plane having hit the WTC, although at that point, we didn't know it was a large plane. Once the second plane hit, we knew it was terrorism.
I heard the transmissions when the buildings fell. I was in total shock. It felt completely surreal, as I remember when they were built. I thought nothing would ever bring those buildings down. It was known as the Hudson Terminal before the WTC was built and before they opened the WTC station. I worked at that station frequently.
I was at Port Authority Medical in the WTC for clearance to return to work a few days before 9/11. It all hit so close to home. I lost two good friends that day (PA police officers) and numerous other acquaintances. I never saw many of those passengers again that I would see on a regular basis. I often wonder if they were in those buildings.
That day was so chaotic. None of us knew what would happen, but all of us just wanted to get home to our loved ones. The major roads were shut down and it took many hours to drive back to my home. In the aftermath, there were many bomb threats and evacuations at Penn Station, which was very unnerving. It's a time that I hope we never have to ever relive. Such a tragedy for all of those who lost their lives, and for the families that were forever changed on that dark day.
