I worked in One World Trade Center in the Port Commerce Department. I had taken that beautiful Tuesday off to be home to receive a renovation contractor. I was unaware of what was happening that morning until my wife called from her job and told me to turn the TV on. I stared in disbelief and horror and wondered later if the Port Authority might somehow cease to exist. If anything, I thought it would take months for the agency to resurrect itself.
To my surprise, I received a telephone call from my supervisor (it was at the very least good to hear his voice) the following Friday informing me that our Department was regrouping at our facilities throughout the region and that my unit will report to the Brooklyn Piers the following Monday. When I arrived that Monday, there were trailers set up. Of course, I had no idea who had survived what I had viewed on TV that horrible day. When I saw my colleagues, we hugged, cried a little and took a deep breath. We set up our desks and I thought to myself, “We’re back!”
However, where to begin was difficult. We had computers, but no files, no records. We practically had to recreate the past so we could begin to help shape the future! The resiliency was there, thanks in part to the outside agencies and entities with whom we had worked. Slowly, we gained momentum. In April 2002, Port Commerce joined other departments at our new temporary headquarters on Park Avenue South near Union Square, Manhattan. It was good to have a new work home.
One thing was consistent all this time. We never forgot nor did we want to forget that awful Tuesday and all who had perished.
