Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb New York City

As providence would have it, September 11 was a day of contrast: tragedy and heroism, cowardice and fortitude, uncertainty and resolve, and, ultimately, unspeakable violence met with unwavering fellowship.  Each person – and certainly each New Yorker – has his story from that day that is personal, unique and individual.  Mine was that of an awkward, fledging college freshman, who watched the twin towers smolder and fall from the 9th floor window of the Baruch College Honors Lounge on 23rd Street and Lexington Avenue.   

Yet, my story is also shared, communal and concordant with that of my classmates, my neighbors, and my countrymen.  I was not alone in that lounge. There were thirty five other young, pimpled faces with tears and panic and confusion staining them in equal measure, also pressed against the same window.  Nor were we alone as the day dragged on and began its gloaming: the streets filled with restless souls looking for a way home.  Some would never find it.  Others found it – or some semblance of it – amongst the strangers that offered them a word, or a cellular phone, or an embrace amongst the chaos while a toxic cloud of burning chemicals and ash settled generally on them and us.  As wretched as we seemed, as lost as we were, we were never alone.  

Twenty five years later, that remains chief among the many lessons of that day: amidst tragedy, isolation begets community; despair begets hope.  Some of us ran from the danger, others ran towards it.  The T2T Foundation was established and continues to thrive to honor, celebrate and foster a community with and among the brave few who have their own stories to share – some of which are left to be told by their families, their friends, their neighbors and their countrymen.  Please join me in helping to do just that.