September 11 20th Anniversary Remembrance by https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial Never Forget. This year marks 20 years since the September 11 attacks. The tragic events of that day made a profound and lasting impact on the world in which we live—and on the St. John’s University community. To commemorate this anniversary, we encourage you to share your stories and reflections of 9/11, including how the events impacted your life. Visit www.stjohns.edu/remember911 for information on events, services, and ways to commemorate the day and those we lost. en-us 2021-08-24 13:29:18 UTC 2023-02-06 21:06:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/961965707/d9c9212e9e785e7e8299af2e382153ef/St__John_s_Crest__2_.jpg Winter 2001 Alumni Magazine stjohnsdigital https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1693825897 In the Winter 2001 Alumni Magazine, we honored those who fell in the attacks and the heroes who helped. ]]> 2021-08-24 15:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1693825897 9/11 Schedule of Events stjohnsdigital https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1693843983 Visit www.stjohns.edu/remember911 for information on events, services, and ways to commemorate this day and pray for the repose of those we lost.]]> 2021-08-24 15:21:46 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1693843983 St. John's Manhattan Campus stjohnsdigital https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1694284132 This video discusses how the St. John's University Manhattan Campus was transformed into an American Red Cross Respite Center following the attacks. There, first responders and workers were able to clean up, rest, and receive a hot meal before continuing to help. St. John's is proud to have helped all first responders and workers during this time and thanks them for all their efforts. ]]> 2021-08-24 19:23:52 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1694284132 In memory of all those who we lost https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710728276 May their memories be eternal.]]> 2021-09-01 19:29:39 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710728276 Reflect and Remember https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710835520 Remembering that day, those that lost their lives that morning and since then, the heroes among us and those that went before us saving others. God Bless our great city and country. Prayers for all the families and for our St. John's family. Never Forget.]]> 2021-09-01 20:38:07 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710835520 Manhattan Campus Image https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710846013 Emergency response workers in the lobby of 101 Murray Street (St. John's former Manhattan Campus location) when the location served as an American Red Cross Respite Center.]]> 2021-09-01 20:46:02 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710846013 Queens Campus - 9/11 Memorial Shrine https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710847624 There is a lovely 9/11 memorial shrine in St. Thomas More Church. A nice place to remember those who passed, and be thankful for those who continue to give their time, effort, and energy as first responders.]]> 2021-09-01 20:47:20 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710847624 9/11 Memories https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710851516 I can remember that day like it was yesterday. The fear and shock. Being in any of the boroughs of NYC meant we all knew people who worked in Manhattan and traveled through that area, which was an epicenter. It was a scary and devastating time for all. I appreciate that St. John's is taking the time to remember something that is deeply rooted in the history of NYC, and affected not only those in this area but also around the world. Never forget.]]> 2021-09-01 20:50:22 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1710851516 I will never forget that day....God bless all those innocent people we lost! People are still suffering from illnesses and they also need prayers. https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1711150956 2021-09-02 00:32:20 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1711150956 This day is emblazoned in my memory sitting in the basement of St. John’s hall in Spanish class, and a woman walks by and asks what are you doing the university is closing and told us what happened. All we could do was head to our dorms and frantically call home. Sharing or Nextel’s with strangers to call loved ones bc they were the only working phones. Such a hard day…campus closed, fearing going outside. My heart still aches when the news forces us to relive it every year. One thing I will never forget is how WE CAME TOGETHER AS A CITY, as a STATE, and as a NATION, I hope we can get back to that love that I felt and that pride that I saw when people were helping strangers because we were all Hurting. ❤️ https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1716219535 2021-09-04 01:07:53 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1716219535 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722752194 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflections-20th-anniversary-september-11th-chain-mba-cpa]]> 2021-09-07 19:06:55 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722752194 9/11 Reflection https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722836247 I can remember this day like it was yesterday. It was a gorgeous day and it felt like summer wasn't over yet even though school had begun. I had a break in my schedule and wanted to go out for some breakfast with friends. When I tried to exit the building our security had blocked all entrances and very seriously told me to head to the basement. I was completely baffled but knew I better abide and went to our school basement. It was downstairs that I caught wind of what was happening in real time. I could barely get my thoughts together but immediately I asked if students at Stuyvesant highschool were ok, my sister went there. "We don't know. The phone are all down and we are under lockdown now, it isn't safe to be outside." It was this response that I got back which I will never forget as it paved the way for the rest of the day and days and years to come. The air smelled of smoke, there was debris and ash falling from the sky and it wasn't until that night at 8pm that I would be reunited with my dad and sister. While my story is a success story, many people's was not. I will always pray for the families and those who lost their lives on this day 20 years ago. How could it be 20 years? I will never forget. I hope we can come together like we did that day and continue to find love and compassion for one another. ]]> 2021-09-07 19:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722836247 Remembering 911 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722854581 Sadly, and in horror, I watched the towers go down from the hallway of the 4th floor in Bent Hall.  The deed was unspeakable and for all of us the loss of life unthinkable.

I come from a dot on the map (Manhasset) that suffered a disproportionate blow.  The LA Times sadly published:

A Town’s Long Road to Recovery

BY J.R. MOEHRINGER
FEB. 16, 2002 12 AM PT
MANHASSET, N.Y. — The man walks into the bar, shakes hands with his friends, orders a beer. He looks like every other man in the place, but he’s different, and everyone knows it. They try not to stare.
Seven hours later, the man’s friends are gone, but the man is still standing in the same spot at the bar, drinking, talking. No one needs to ask why. The whole town knows the man’s son died in the World Trade Center, along with nearly 50 other people who hailed from here. His son boarded the 5:43 a.m., or the 6:34 or one of the other 42 Long Island Railroad trains that run into Manhattan each day, and he never came back.
For generations, this small town 17 miles east of Manhattan has straddled two identities. Simple country village, enclave of vast wealth. A cross between “Our Town” and Fat City. Even before F. Scott Fitzgerald romanticized Manhasset and used it as the setting for much of “The Great Gatsby,” the town had a reputation as one of those lovely places where the American dream rings true, and often comes true.
Now, Manhasset has a different reputation. Like nearby Garden City and Belle Harbor, Manhasset will always be known as one of those tiny dots on the map that took a disproportionate hit Sept. 11.
]]> 2021-09-07 20:04:43 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722854581 September 11th Anniversary bleimaier1 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722898291 I was in Russia for a conference when the attack occurred back in 2001. Being away from home at a time of national tragedy is very difficult. All the people in Russia were overwhelmingly kind and supportive, expressing affection and sympathy for all Americans. That was an experience which renewed my faith in human nature and the potential solidarity of Christian peoples.

John K.B. '75L]]> 2021-09-07 20:29:41 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722898291 Remember 9/11 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722987268 I was Administrator of Pharmacy at a Level 1 trauma center in Eastern Pa. we sent some of our MedEvacs into NJ to fly patients back. As the day went on, we realized that we were not going to be getting any patients. Leadership broke down into tears. I also spent the day tracking a brother who also went to the Pentagon, another brother who was a US Marshall and was involved with the arrest years ago of the terrorist who tried to bring the towers down with a bomb, and trying to track a cousin who had staff who worked for Goldman Sachs. 20 years later, I tear up.]]> 2021-09-07 21:34:46 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1722987268 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1723189630 My old friend Brian Magee was a very large man with a bald head, a big beard and a beatific smile. He rode a Harley but was as gentle as a lamb. He was a computer software consultant and he had a meeting scheduled for the morning of 9/11 at the WTC. He had never been to Windows on the World, the restaurant on the top floor. So he left home early that day so he could eat breakfast there and enjoy the view. I watched from the roof of my office building on West 22nd Street as the towers burned. You could see bodies leaping from the top floors of the WTC. I don't know if Brian was one of them. It wouldn't have been his style. He would have done everything he could to help someone else down from the top or into the next world. He never thought of himself. ]]> 2021-09-08 00:20:05 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1723189630 My 9/11 Memories https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1723425723 I was the GA for Jerrold Ross, the Dean of the School of Ed in the fall of 2001. My daughter was starting pre-k and Tuesday was her first day on the bus. I was at home when my father, retired FDNY, walked in the back door holding his scanner. He told me a plane hit the towers. He turned on the tv but it was still just the morning news talk shows. They cut into the breaking story and we witnessed United 175 crash into the South tower. We listened to the dispatchers on the FD radio screaming for help as we watched the horrific scene unfold on the tv. We watched in horror as both towers fell, and cried in shock as we heard the dispatchers on the radio scream for a response from any unit operating at Manhattan Box 8087. We knew thousands would not make it home and we prayed for all there. 
It was later in the day that we learned that the pilot of United 175 that day was Victor J. Saracini, who was married to my cousin. My father told me he was going to go to the city and I begged him not to, because he had to at least say goodbye to my mom who was at work. By the end of the day, the day that never ended, the scope of the tragedy was still being realized. My sister's next door neighbor, David Garcia was working in the towers. My uncle's nephew, Howard Gelling was also there. We knew countless firemen and policemen who were missing, and more who responded in the awful days and weeks to come. 
My father spent a few days going to homes of FDNY members who were killed, but then he worked for weeks escorting family members of those killed through the paperwork at the family center. We went to more funerals and memorial services than I could count. We lost very good family friends, my father lost men he'd worked with, or sons of men he worked with. We learned about the heroism of Howie who saw the first plane hit from his office in the South tower, and called his mom in the North tower, telling her to get out and meet him outside. She made it out, but Howie didn't. 
In 2003 I began teaching. On the first day I was told I had Moira Smith's niece in my class. I taught her niece, and nephew and had the privilege of meeting her daughter Patricia many times. Later, I had another student whose father, Jose Guadalupe was killed on 9/11 before he was born. 
My husband responded as a member of the NYPD and we live with the worry of the toxins. Andy Brunn had a locker next to him before he went over to FDNY. We've lost friends to 9/11 cancer. 
The memory of 9/11 is seared into my brain. I remember every last detail. 
I can Never Forget
RIP - We miss you - We love you 
Victor Saracini, David Garcia, Howard Gelling, Brooke Jackman, Richie Muldowney, David Weiss, Kenny Watson, Gary Box, Moira Smith, Joe Vigiano, John Vigiano, David Arce, Jose Guadalupe, Andy Brunn, Andre Fletcher, Laura Marchese, Michael Kiefer, Timmy Higgins, Robert Fazio, Dave Mahmood, Keith Young and all the other 9/11 victims and their familes.

-Christine (Anglim) Ettlinger


]]> 2021-09-08 01:51:14 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1723425723 Driving back from Canada that morning lawfus85 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1724954412 I had been in northern Labrador on a hunting trip the week earlier.  That morning around 8:30 we left our hotel in Montreal and were making our way to the border when we heard the first reports on the radio.  As we were on the main highway leading to the border we were suddenly passed by at least 15 provincial police cars traveling at well over 100 mph.  When we got to the border crossing we were told that the border was closed but that the Champlain crossing was going to remain open for another half hour until they secured the main crossing.  We travelled as quickly as we could and reached the checkpoint station.  Because we had rifles with us it was necessary to go in and fill out paperwork regarding where we had been and what we were bringing in the way of guns.    The agents had a TV set up in the room and while we were there the reports about the Pentagon were being broadcast.  The agents told us that it was clear that we were not a threat and that we should get on our way back to Long Island as fast as we could to be with our families.  As we got back onto the Northway Highway my passenger called his wife who said that her sister called and that her husband was working that day and his FDNY unit was leaving for the towers.  The highway was totally empty headed south and while we were on that road we heard that the Towers fell.  IMUS on WFAN had Warner Wolf on who was on his apartment balcony giving a first hand account of what he was watching -- including the poor people who were jumping to escape the flames.  The rest of the trip south was quiet.  As we reached Albany we learned that the bridges were closed and not allowing people south so we made calls to try to get Cross Sound Ferry reservations finally getting one from New London to Orient.  As we reached I84 we learned that the Throgs Neck was open.  It was very hard to get through on cellphones to family for some reason but when we did we learned that fighter jets were flying over Glen Head and the north shore of the island and that our kids were taken out of school.  As we crossed over the Throgs Neck bridge we saw cars leaving Long Island in the opposite direction with many having belongings strapped to their SUV roofs.  To our right we could see the smoke plume rising from where the Towers once stood.  That whole ride home there was little talking between us. 
We later learned that my friend had lost his brother in law.  For weeks following our parish church was filled on Sundays as we prayed for our friends that were murdered.  I had been on the alumni golf committee for my high school of St. Mary's in Manhasset which had a planned outing scheduled for that Thursday which was of course cancelled.  Several members of the committee were also lost that day along with those who went to college with.  My prayers are with the families and friends of those lost.  As I write this 3 military helicopters just passed over my house headed toward the city I guess preparing for the remembrance ceremony in the next few days.  Pray for our friends, our families and our country.  I find that talking with the Blessed Mother helps.
CW SJC '82.]]> 2021-09-08 13:58:47 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1724954412 20 Years Later https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1725817945 It still feels like yesterday. I was 18 years old and had been on campus for just 10 days. It was a picture-perfect morning. Bright blue skies, chirping birds, and a calmness in the air. Ironically, I was sitting in a class called 'Discover New York', a core requirement for all freshmen, when the North Tower was struck. While the professor was teaching, a classmate yelled out loud. Our Sullivan Hall classroom window had a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline, and he saw the impact of the first plane hitting the tower. Nothing was the same from that moment on. From that classroom I watched the first tower fall, surrounded by other freshmen who were strangers. We all witnessed that same moment, watching in horror as our city and our world changed forever.  Smoke billowed in the air and fogged the Manhattan skyline for what felt like months. The phones didn't work for days and there was no way in or out of the city. Walking back to my dorm I passed a student outside who was videotaping those initial moments when many were just finding out what happened, still not knowing the extent of what it truly was. I always think about that student and that video and wonder if it still exists. September 11 shaped so much of my college experience. My heart will always be heavy on this day remembering the lives lost and all those whose lives went on without their loved ones. ]]> 2021-09-08 18:56:25 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1725817945 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1728479792 I was there, living on Fulton Street and going to SJU’s Manhattan campus.
I wish SJU alumni association did something to remember the alumni that were lost and something to support the survivors.]]> 2021-09-09 15:37:45 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1728479792 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1729418694 I remember waking up in the sju dorms and walking out to the living area of the suite where suitemates were watching the news. The headline showed a plane crashes into World Trade Center. We were all joking around saying thinks like “only in NY” and “can’t believe the pilot couldn’t navigate around that building” and as we were joking we saw live on TV the second plane hit the other tower. At that point we realized something was up. We walked out around campus to find out what was going on. It was all a blur. I recall standing with a group of friends discussing ways we can help along side the football stadium and seeing the initial tower collapse. We all walked over to the nearby hospital to see if we can donate blood. Most of this happened so fast and was a blur but I have distinct images of being on campus and the community of Johnnies looking to help and support. ]]> 2021-09-10 00:02:17 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1729418694 Very Fortunate https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1730210032 I’m a member of the School of Risk Management class of 2011. 9/11 had a deep and tragic impact on the Insurance industry. We lost around 500 good people in the WTC. When I applied and was accepted to the (now Greenberg) SRM, I was awarded the Charlie McCrann 9/11 Memorial Scholarship. I did some research into Charlie and learned what a great guy and absolute character he seemed to be. 

I was then invited to partake in the AXA Insurance 9/11 Memorial Scholarship. I was asked to write an essay about what 9/11 meant to me and the Insurance Industry. I wound up winning this scholarship. Not only was this a tremendous honor, but it substantially offset my tuition costs. 

In the summer between my third and fourth year, I was awarded a paid internship in the London Insurance Market which was established to honor those Insurance professionals who perished on 9/11 while also fostering the next generation of talent. 

As a freshman, I quickly learned the impact 9/11 had on the field I chose to study, and the generosity of the professionals in that field who wanted to keep the memory of those who perished alive. 

That generosity helped me get in the door of the best college in America while not having to worry about the cost. It culminated in a program that helped to launch my career. 

Ten years after I graduated, I’m still in the field, doing well, and teaching the next generation to remember those who came before us and to appreciate their sacrifices. ]]> 2021-09-10 06:28:42 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1730210032 A day never to forget https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1731514917 I started the morning kissing my then 8 year old son happy birthday and planning dinner and cake with my husband and two other sons. 
I proceeded to take the LIRR to Penn Station.  As I got to the concourse, there was a person talking to themselves saying a plane just went into the World Trade Center.  I thought to myself this person must be crazy - how could that be.  I continued with my commute on the #2 train downtown.  Walking up from the subway all I could see was paper debris flying around and everyone staring up at the towers. By this time both towers were struck by planes.  I immediately went up to my office at 2 Chase Plaza, which was 4-5 blocks away.  I had to check on my staff's safety as I knew some of them commuted through the trade center and then plan to head home.  As I walked around the 4th floor of my office, my friend was trying to keep her composure as her husband worked on the upper floors of the tower which was hit by one of the planes.  She was hoping that he was on the street smoking a cigarette as she couldn't reach him by phone. As I walked into the conference room and stared at the burning towers in disbelief, the first tower collapsed.  I thought I was going to die - the entire area was filled with a black cloud of smoke and I wasn't sure if materials would break the conference room window.  Everyone started screaming and running to the fire exits which were filled with smoke and hard to breath.  The building management directed all of us to go back to our offices. Everyone in the office at the time tried to console each other.  We heard the second tower collapse and were not allowed to leave the office until the afternoon.  All the phones lines were busy as I tried to let my husband and children know that I was alive.  We were finally allowed to leave the office with wet towels to cover our face.  As I stepped outside there was at least 2 inches of building dust on the street .  As all trains were shut down I started walking uptown with some colleagues planning to walk across the 59th street bridge.  In a daze not believing what I was seeing and went through, I finally was able to reach a friend on my cell phone and talked all the way to 53 street.  As the trains started running, I was able to get to Queens.  Touching base with my friend everyday, I cant imagine how she felt not knowing if her husband was alive in a hospital or buried.  Eventually they did find his remains and she had a burial service. 
Going back to work a few weeks after 9/11 was horrible.  The smell in the air was unbearable thinking I was breathing in toxic fumes.  Till this day I cannot remove the image in my brain of the tower collapsing.     ]]> 2021-09-10 17:23:50 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1731514917 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1731637316 It was a (seemingly) perfect Tuesday morning. I worked in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center. It was my first full time job in NYC, fresh out of graduate school (St. John's University). I lived on Long Island (Zone 9 on the LIRR), and that morning, I overslept by 40 minutes. 

I'd planned to stop by my office on the 16th Floor of the South Tower and pick up a few things, before taking the 6 train to our satellite office in the Bronx. Already late, I decided to skip the World Trade Center (and also my customary stop at Borders Bookstore). After getting off at Penn Station, I took the M16 to Park Avenue, to take the 6 train to the Bronx. Uneventful train ride until we got to the 59th Street/Lexington Avenue station. We were held there for approximately 30 minutes - no explanation.

When I arrived at our satellite office, my co-worker asked if I was ok. Still unaware of what was happening, he told me to call my parents to let them know that I was ok. 

Walking to my desk, I saw that the TV was on. The footage was a loop of a plane crashing into one of the towers. It didn't seem real. 

Trying to make sense of it all, I called my parents and Grandmother to let them know that I was ok. My sister was in high school and I sent her a text message to let her know that I was ok. 

I went to the TV and that's when it began to sink in. I watched as the towers collapsed. 

The sadness is hitting me much harder this year.  Always let people know that you love them. ]]> 2021-09-10 18:20:58 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1731637316 A day of great sorrow https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1732036023 September 11, 2001 was a day of great sorrow because nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their precious lives on that day.  Forever separated from their families and friends, forever separated from the world. I have two friends, each of them have one family member worked in World Trade Center in New York. The two of them arrived at the office at 7:30am as usual on 09/11/2001. Before the incident happened, the two were in contact with their own family on their mobile phones. But no one knew that this would be their last phone contact with their families. My two friends were heartbroken whenever they thought about the loss of their loved ones on 9/11/2001. The day of 9/11 has become a day of eternal sadness for nearly 3,000 families. 

]]> 2021-09-11 00:34:38 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1732036023 Angels who helped and protected me https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1732077991 On September 11th 2001, like many others did, I went to my office which was located on the 49th floor of One Liberty Plaza in New York City. The first plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center, and our building shook. My colleagues and I didn’t know what was happening so we went to the lobby of our floor and watched what was unfolding on TV. We couldn’t believe our eyes. It was happening so close to us that we felt the impact. We started the evacuation process. We walked down the emergency staircase, all 49 floors worth. Again, we took our time walking, joking around, not realizing what was happening. After about 20 minutes, we finally made it to the ground level and out of the building. By this time, a state of panic had set in on Broadway.

I didn’t get a chance to call my family. As I was standing in line to use a pay phone, the second plane hit the south building. Later, as I stood there, the tower crumbled in front of my eyes. I ran, dropping all my belongings, taking refuge in a bank on Maiden Lane. Another bystander did the same, taking his jacket and covering me. We were down low on our knees, as there was still some air left near the ground.

Later, as we walked, people at a pizzeria gave out water; people were trying to clean their faces and eyes from the black soot. As I walked on alone, one person stood out. He had a cell phone, and when he finished his phone call, I asked him if I could use it. He handed me the phone. I started
to dial, but had no luck. There was no answer. He was kind enough to walk with me and I continued walking uptown.
As we walked, people asked if we were OK — a small sense of caring that meant so much to me. A woman asked if we would like to get cleaned up in her apartment. At that moment, her kindness was what I needed. Of course, I said yes. She invited us in. I took a shower and she gave me her daughter’s clothing. I was so grateful for her kindness. There was no way of getting out of Manhattan, so I used their phone to call two people: my Mom and a friend. The family that took me in gave me $20. With tears rolling from my eyes I took the $20, the most valuable $20 that I ever received. This woman showed a complete stranger, someone she had never met, indescribable compassion and kindness.

For the weeks following 9-11, I spent the time trying to understand what had happened, trying to understand why I was so lucky, why I was shown such kindness and compassion from strangers, angels who helped and protected me when I needed them most. I couldn’t believe that someone was watching over me during a time of such major disaster.]]> 2021-09-11 01:25:47 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1732077991 9/11/2001_20 years ago, I remember this day as if it was yesterday. https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1732928269 The day before we played at Providence, we won 1-0 with a scoring goal from Jeff Matteo. I have arrived in NY no more than a month and that morning I had class in Introduction to Graphic Design I, with professor Kerr at Sullivan Hall 3rd floor. Matia left the house early to go for morning therapy due to an injury, so I head to the University.
Class was at 9, I was very on time back then😊, and I went in at about 8.45. After a while, with some rush a boy comes in and tells us "guys class is canceled", the class had been canceled, there were some comments but no one understood why the lesson was canceled, including myself.
We all leave the class, and at the end of the hallway, Kim, a friend of mine, points to the window and exclaims "look Simone there's a smoke", looking through the window far from the campus I saw buildings blowing a lot of smoke with 2 helicopters who flew over them. So I answered her: wow ok! (I thought oh well it’s a fire why so much noise) but I had no clue to associate that scene with the reason why they let us out of the class. I had the second class at 11, so I decided to go home seen the distance very close to the university.
The road was short, believe me, our house was divided by a sidewalk from the University and as soon as I open the door, I see Matia watching the TV on channel 1, the Italian Channel one, TG1. There I saw again the images of the Smoking Towers, of the helicopters and then of the collapse.
I immediately called my parents, just in time, after that the phone lines did not work for a while. University closed and all torunaments suspended. The thought that something else could happen at any moment was very realistic and kept us under pressure. Coach Masur called us for a meeting and with him there was also Ron, the Director for Sports Medicine, who told us to stay at home all day and in case we needed support of any kind the big family of the STJ would be there to assist us.
The following days were surreal, the silence was loud for a city like New York.
Many of the STJ family died on that dramatic day.

After 20 years I have chosen to share this indelible memory to THANK all those people who with their welcome have been of a great help to those who were far from their family. It was hard, but thanks to ALL of you especially on that day I felt safe and I could continue to live MY DREAM.

God Bless America.
God Bless NYC.
]]> 2021-09-11 20:18:23 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1732928269 https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1742860513 Sept 11, 2001 I was working on Church street just graduated from college of Professional Studies.As an investigator I was a leader in my department .I was designated to drive everyone home after the first plane hit the world trade.All I saw was smoke and people crying.I really never thought I would make it home.I made it home and it was the scariest Day in my life.God Bless America.]]> 2021-09-15 14:06:37 UTC https://padlet.com/stjohnsdigital/911memorial/wish/1742860513