September 11th, 2001 was not a normal day for me, it was the day that I had been scheduled for my commercial driver’s license yearly physical at the World Trade Center. Like past years, even though the schedule time to be there was 9:30 AM, I would try to arrive early to take in the experience of being at the WTC. I would take an available vehicle to the tech center then board the PA shuttle to head over.
This day I was delayed in leaving building 79 at EWR because a gardener needed an attachment hooked up to his tractor to complete his job. I knew assisting him would delay my departure but it was my job so off we went to complete the task. I returned to building 79 and hopped into the shop van when a structural person came to the van an informed me that an aircraft had struck the north tower.
Like many, I suppose, I figured it was a small plane off course but exited the van and went into our reserve room to watch a TV report and to learn the terrible news. If it had not been for that gardener asking for my assistance that morning I most likely would have been at ground zero at the time of the attack.
It is for that reason that I will never refuse to help out when anybody needs assistance. Always do what is expected of you and a little more.
Richard Bennett
Retired Maintenance Equipment Servicer
Newark Airport
