[Muergan]

I was a freshman in college at the time and I was awaken by my father shortly after the first plane hit. I got dressed and made my way over to my fire department just in time to see the second one hit on tv. Shortly after they dispatched our ladder truck and one engine to staten island. I was on the engine company and we got staged at the staten island ferry terminal waiting to get sent over to ground zero. When it finally came our turn to go over around 5-6pm they told us to report back to new jersey.

I will never forget that day looking across the river and just seeing the smoke and blown out windows of near by buildings. The people coming off the ferry who had been at ground zero, and coming to staten island for medical attention covered in white dust. Everyone around was very somber at the sight, and couldn't do enough to help each other. It truely was the day that brought a city to its knees, but also untied all its people. If you could see how every person cared for one another it was truely a thing of beauty even in the wake of such a horrible event.

Also I knew a few people who were lost, and others that narrowly escaped.

It is one thing that I will never forget as long as I live...