Me and NYC (Pre 9/11)
Today is one of the most important days for our nations history. For me, this day in 2001 was one of those defining moments that I will never forget. As I recounted my experience of 9/11 with my students in class today, I realized what a life-changing experience it was for me. Today, I had a "moment" with my Singers class at the high school. They are typically the class that I have a much harder time managing and getting to quiet down. When I told them about my 9/11 experience they all quieted down and became very respectful. Following my story, we sang a patriotic song that we're learning for our fall concert and thought about those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy. We also thought about those who are serving and giving their lives for our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. There was a strong feeling of patriotism, and I know all of the students were touched by it. As I thought about the importance of the day I thought it would be neat to come home and share my journal and letter I sent home to my loved ones after that difficult day:
My journal entry that night:
9/11/01
September 11th 2001 will be a day that I will never forget as long as I live. My grandchildren, and their grandchildren for years and years to come will know about this day. It started just like any other. I had a bad dream about a plane crash or something, then I woke up and went through the usual routine. I was studying the 9th chapter of 3rd Nephi in the Book of Mormon- the one that talks about the destruction of the earth when Christ was crucified. As I was marveling over all the cities that had been destroyed, by fire or what not, Elder Lawther ran in here and said "somebody bombed the World Trade Center!" We ran downstairs and outside we could see the huge plume of smoke drifting towards Brooklyn. I could not believe it! Elder Hart hooked up his little portable TV (side note- a missionary should never have this in his possession!) and we watched everything on CNN. I watched the 2nd plane crash into the 2nd tower, then the 1st tower tumble to the ground. It was unbelievable. I immediately called Allison Keith and asked her to call my parents and tell them I was OK. I knew they would be worried sick about me what with my pictures always consisting with the World Trade Center behind me. She said she didn't have long distance with her cell phone being down- so I called a member in our ward, Luana, and asked her to make the call. We then took off and tried to go down to the promenade to get a better look at the buildings. We went by foot because the whole city transportation was down. We got close to Park Slope and the ash and smoke became so bad that we had to turn around and come back to the apartment. So many things were running through my head. When we got back, I had permission to call home from the zone leader. Mom had not been able to stay at school because she was so worried and upset. I guess everyone had been calling and asking about me. We had a very nice talk. It's so nice to know all the family cares about me. Then we went to the chapel and practiced a song, "Where Can I Turn For Peace" we will be singing in Zone Conference tomorrow. After that we took the bus up to Fulton Mall. The ride was free and the entire city looked like a ghost town. It's so quiet and bare. We walked up to the promenade and took some pictures. Tower #7 had just collapsed and the smoke was very heavy and thick. It's amazing to see the city pulling together. One member told us he was in the middle of all the action and right underneath the buildings. He was very emotional when he told us about it. I would be too after a brush with death. I keep thinking about all of the thousands of deaths from the plane crashes and the towers collapsing. This is some scary business and I am so grateful for the gospel to help us get through this.
This is the letter I sent home to let people know about my experience:
Dear Friends and Family
9/15/09
I just wanted to write all of you a real quick letter. First of all to tell you that all of us are ok. It seems like anyone who knows anyone in NYC is worried about that particular person (with good reason.) Second of all to explain the awesome but devastating rallying of these great people I have come to know and love. Let me just start from the beginning. . .
On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was in in my room studying the Book of Mormon and this is the crazy part- I was reading 3 Nephi 9:9- where Christ is saying all the destruction that had occurred because of his crucifixion- by fire, etc. Anyway, as I was reading those words, my companion came running into the room saying someone bombed the World Trade Center (which is a couple of miles from my door.) I thought it was a joke- but soon learned it wasn't. If you can imagine "the city that's always on the go" coming to a complete stop, that's exactly what happened. We went up on the roof and saw all of the smoke. It was crazy. We tried to make our way over to the promenade to get a closer look, but we couldn't go far with all the smoke and ash floating in the air. All of our eyes were burning so we just had to go home. I knew my mom would be worrying so much, I wanted to call so bad! I have a cousin who lives in Queens whose husband works on Wall Street. They were ok but the crazy thing is we were going to meet that morning, but then we changed it to Thursday at the last minute. If we would have kept it on Tuesday, she would have been on the subway right underneath when everything was happening. I called her to see if she could call home, but her cell was knocked out so she had no long distance. A few minutes later we got a call giving us the ok to call home and tell everyone we were ok. (I guess the phones at the mission office were ringing off of the hook.) It was so great to talk to my mom just to tell her I was ok and that I loved her. We had to wait the day out inside of our apartment. That evening we went to the promenade and I took some very sad pictures. Everyone we talk to everyday will- in one way or another- be involved or affected by this. So many ward members worked in the WTC- but miraculously no one was hurt. Lots of them stood right below when the second plane hit and saw fire, shrapnel, everything just flying all around them, and had to run for their lives when the buildings came down. The previous bishop of the ward I'm serving in was on the 81st floor of tower #1 and he ran down all the stairs, praying the whole way- and he made it! It's just so sad! In the subway there are missing person flyers saying "last seen on the 84th floor at 9:00 am" That flyer is posted on EVERY post, everywhere! The skyline looks so empty and there were thousand of flowers, candles, flags, letters, all on the fence of the promenade overlooking the towers. It's the most heart breaking thing I've ever seen. Last night was a special ward meeting. They showed the broadcast again, and we were all their for each other. It was so neat. Candles outlined the entryway to the church, I'll never forget it. In Zone Conference on Wednesday we learned the first presidency has asked us so far not to get involved, but to go on bringing these people the message that they are so in need of at this time. The city of New York has more volunteers then they know what to do with. It's awesome! This is the most emotional time I've ever lived through. Please keep praying for these people here. I love you guys so much. Read Proverbs 18:10!
Love,
Elder Jordan Keith
The Plume of smoke from the park, just outside our apartment
Me and the aftermath
Ground Zero, with a very blurry, old school camera
A year later I was sent back to the same area, and this is what the sky line now looked like:
3 comments:
Jordan, thank you for sharing this. I was a wreck that day. First trying to figure out what they were talking about on the radio, then realizing what it was, listening as the second tower was hit. On and on it went the whole day. I had my cell phone so I was able to check on you. When the Hawaii mission home called because Rob had been told that all the missionaries were OK, but just what did OK mean? I was able to pass on the good news.
Isn't it sad that we as a people have not kept that same feeling of looking out for our neighbors? I guess it is another goal for all of us to think and act on!
I think you were probably the first person that popped into the whole family's mind that day. I've never written anything about it, but reading your journal entry makes me think that maybe I should. For some reason I'll never know, I didn't follow my normal morning, get ready for work routine at all. I don't know why. I got to work and could tell something had happened but had no idea what till I was standing in front of a high school level class interpreting the morning announcements when the principal came on and said what was happening. I don't know how I kept my composure but managed. That is for sure a day that will be etched in our memories and history forever. I'm grateful there were so many that were able to escape, and mourn the ones that weren't able to. I pray we never have to face another day like that again.
Wow
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