September 11, 2001

It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since the day when all of our lives – and the New York City skyline – changed forever. I am willing to bet that you remember where you were when you heard. I was in the car on my way to work, listening to the radio when the first unconfirmed reports started to come in about a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. As soon as I got to work, I turned our little tv on to see Katie Couric on the Today show announcing what had happened. Then via a live shot, I watched the second plane hit the second tower. I thought they were replaying footage that someone had happened to capture of the first plane, and then realized that it was so much more than that. I remembering standing with my hands over my mouth as each tower came down.

And then I saw the Pentagon. And the wreckage of a plane found in a Pennsylvania field.

And then I thought of all the people, who left their homes that morning, for just another day at work. Some of them may have even had the morning’s first cup of coffee on their desks already. And I thought of all the people who boarded the planes without a care in the world, except for maybe worrying a little that their luggage might not make it to their destination with them.

And I was sad.

Then I thought of all the people who rushed into burning buildings without hesitation. All the people who dug through the dust with their bare hands. All the people who decided they wouldn’t let one more plane go down without a fight. All the people who knew their time was short and somehow had the strength to make a final phone call to say “I love you”.

And I was proud.

Shot March 2006 while aboard a ferry. The flag sits on a corner of Ellis Island. Never forget.