The guardian angels of 9/11
As we approach the 19th anniversary of 9/11, there is a conversation going on in many communities about defunding police departments. I am an admirer of our police and all of our first-responders. I am a proud father of a Norwalk firefighter.
While I respect the opinion of all individuals, I vigorously reject defunding of the police. However, I will leave that debate for another day.
As a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor, I witnessed the police performing in their finest hour. In the eye of my mind I can still see, so many citizens like myself running away from danger while a courageous body of blue ran toward the danger. In doing so the police and all the first-responders were performing their core mission of protecting the public and saving lives, and to that end there is no higher calling.
Before the towers fell I was able to make my way to a client’s office and watch in terror as the events unfolded. I prayed for all those who did not make it out, and for all the first-responders who went in. A couple hours later I left the building and started the long walk uptown.
As I came out of the building I immediately found the air quality was awful and I started to cough. While walking and coughing a guardian angel in blue appeared, a New York City police officer gave me a towel to breath into.
Along the way police were at every intersection watching over us, supporting, directing and protecting us. As I arrived to Grand Central Terminal, I was comforted to see not only New York City’s Finest, but also the New York City Transit Police, the Metro-North Police, the State of New York Police and the National Guard. All there for one reason, to protect us and to make sure we were safe.
The trains finally started to run toward late afternoon. As I got into a train, I found our guardian angels, the Connecticut and New York State Police, along with Metro-North Police. As my train made its way to Connecticut I noticed that at every stop there was a police presence. When I arrived in South Norwalk that day, I remember getting off the train taking a moment to reflect on the day’s event. I must say it was emotional moment for me. I thanked God for the gift of my life and I prayed for all those who did not make it out.
While walking down the train platform a Norwalk police officer came up to me and asked how I was doing. I said fine and that I just wanted to get home. I was about ready to call my wife to come and get me, but the officer said “sir, let me give you a ride home, you have had a long day.”
So the officer drove me home, and we talked about the day. I forgot to get the officer’s name. Still, I sent a thank you note to the Norwalk Police Department the next day.
Sept. 11, 19 years ago, will always hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget not only the courage of the police that day, but also their compassion, kindness and humanity. The police were my guardian angels that day, who made sure I got home safe. They will always have my respect and support.
In loving memory of those lost on 9/11/01. Gone but never forgotten, from a proud and grateful survivor of One World Trade Center.