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1010 WINS Reflects

September 11, 2011 10:00 AM

The sun sets on the World Trade Center site after Irene has passed – New York, NY – Aug 28, 2011 (credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

(First Responders At Ground Zero Sept, 2001 AP Photo/Beth A. Keiser)

On Sept. 11, 2001, New York City was filled with confusion and fear. As the nation watched devastating acts of violence, they also saw the resilience of New Yorkers who came together like never before. Members of the 1010 WINS staff were among those who witnessed the horror and reported it to the rest of us. These are their first-hand accounts of arguably the darkest day in U.S. history.

“I passed a long line of firefighters, mostly young guys marching toward the mayhem. I have come to believe that many of them were in the final minutes of their lives.“

LISTEN: John Montone Reflects

“The whole day was surreal; that was the definition of surreal because nothing seemed normal that day.“

LISTEN: Al Jones Reflects

“I saw a man standing on the side of the road and his eyes were just fixed to the towers. I tried to to speak to him and he wouldn’t talk to me he just kept looking straight ahead as though he knew the full ramification of what had happpened.“

LISTEN: Carol D’Auria Reflects

“I remember getting trampled, getting pushed into a building. Nothing I had learned in journalism school could ever prepare me for that day.“

LISTEN: Eileen Lehpamer Reflects

“When the first tower went down I was instructed to stay by Giuliani’s side and I did for two and a half days…I tried not to be in awe of what happened but it was impossible not to be.“

LISTEN: Glenn Schuck Reflects

“There were twisted metal pieces that used to be an office chair, a desk that was splintered apart, a clock that had been on somebody’s wall and books — those were chilling reminders of the people that worked in that building everyday.“

LISTEN: Juliet Papa Reflects

“I saw people streaming out of the subways…There was a fear in the air of the unknown, what else is going to happen.“

LISTEN: Mona Rivera Reflects

“I got over to Ninth Avenue, there were people standing in front of their stores, standing in front of their houses looking up in the sky towards the Trade Center in disbelief.“

LISTEN: Stan Brooks Reflects

“Down at ground zero, the Red Cross fed us and I got probably the best meal I ever had — it was a bologna sandwich made by a second grader in Ohio.“

LISTEN: Terry Sheridan Reflects

“I knew the first tower had come down, I saw the second tower coming down and yet I still couldn’t reconcile in my head that was actually what was happening.”“

LISTEN: Programming Director Ben Mevorach Reflects

“I remember seeing people waving whatever they could from the holes and seeing people hold hands and jump out of the hole.”“

LISTEN: Joan Fleischer Reflects | READ: Joan Fleischer’s Full Story

Bob

We had moved the preceding Wednesday to Frederick MD and I slept in. My son called from CT to ask if we had ABC or anything, then said “Two planes have just hit the WTC.” “What?!!!” The screen came on just as a replay of the second plane was shown. My first thought was “terrorism.” Being from CT, I was used to WINS and WCBS and I would certainly have been listening had I still been there. However, the Baltimore and DC radio and TV stations did a great job. Still would have preferred the comfort of my old standbys, though.
Mike

I hate watching footage of that day. They show the first tower burning, and you know the second plane is coming in a matter of minutes. You just want to scream as loud as you can for the people to get out of the south tower, but you can only watch helplessly as it is all replayed before your eyes.
Ellen

It was a beautiful day and hardly no clouds to speak of, and then out of no where came this horror show. The Twin Towers under attack, and watching t.v. I could hardly wrap my mind around what was happening.