What Really Happened to Your Loved Ones on 9/11 by Michael Mark
To those of you who lost loved ones in the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, here’s what happened in their final moments.
Your father was a hero. When the building shook from the blast, he did not concern himself with fear. He helped unblock an office door which had been barricaded by debris and furniture that had moved. He freed three people.
Your friend who was on the plane being hijacked recognized immediately how serious the matter was and reached to calm the shaking hand of the person in the next seat.
Your wife saw a man bleeding from his head and she tore a piece from her shirt and made a bandage for him.
Your aunt helped her co-workers who could not find the exit through the smoke – they all made it. Then she went back for others.
Your nephew who was the pilot on the plane had only the safety of everyone on board in focus every second.
Your grandfather found a young man pinned under a fallen piece of ceiling and even when the young man said go on without him – he stayed until others heard the calls and came to help.
Your husband took on the hijackers believing it would cost his life. He helped save hundreds of people neither of you will ever know.
Your grandmother who worked at the Pentagon led hundreds who were physically stronger to a secure area, putting them before her own welfare as she always has.
Your uncle gave his water to a choking woman who gave him God’s blessing with every floor they arrived at, arm in arm.
Your brother who always wanted to be a policeman knew without a doubt as he followed the cries for help up the stairs this was the moment why.
Your sister searched her entire floor to make sure everyone was out of there before she began to make her own way down.
Your friend held the exit door open for his office-mates with his wheelchair, cheering as they moved on that “We’ll all get out together.” And he didn’t so much hold on to those who lifted him down as he hugged them.
Your son would not let the tired woman stop. He cajoled her by telling her she reminded him of you; how you two had to meet. He even called her mom to keep her moving.
Your flight attendant daughter was forced to the back of the plane with all the others on board but stood in front of them in protective defiance; keeping herself between the terrorists and her passengers.
Your sister climbed back up three flights against the crowd and heat, believing her assistant was still there.
Your college buddy’s sense of humor kept all in his voice’s range smiling and moving with hope.
Your niece lent her shoulder to lean on for a man she had seen in the elevator so many times but whose name she never knew.
Your sister-in-law saw a man sitting in the stairwell coughing, and shared her asthma medicine. They moved on together.
Your firefighter brother-in-law helped hundreds of people out, redirecting them to clearer exits as he climbed higher and higher.
Your nephew and his boss carried an older woman 38 floors.
Your cousin got everyone to sing “The Long and Winding Road” as they worked their way down, making up the words they didn’t know.
Your mother’s last thoughts were the same thoughts she had as she laid her head down every night since you were born.
You wonder what happened. You want to know what these people you love were feeling, what they were thinking, what they went through in their final moments. These are actual facts, exactly as they happened. As true as their love for you. As true as their faith in your love for them.
Michael Mark is the CEO/Creative Director of NYCA — and Lois’ husband. Follow him on Twitter @michaelgrow
These people are our heroes. We miss them and mourn the loss…we will never forget them. You said it beautifully.
What a beautiful tribute. Thank you.
Most beautiful thing I’ve read about this anniversary all week. Maybe ever. Thank you.
I agree; this is the most beautiful 9/11 tribute I have every heard/read. I will repost it on my FB page.
a wonderful tribute, michael. i will most definitely share this with friends.
A very beautiful tribute. I didn’t lose a loved one in the attacks but like everyone else, that day deeply affected me.
How beautiful and so very true. I think all of us, no matter where we were in this world will be forever affected by this tragedy.
How beatuifully this article is written! To take such a shocking jolt and turn it into love, reflections of love, this is the ultimate compliment to the world. Thank you Michael. May more and more see and feel the beauty that we can touch in our oneness, if only we let down our defenses and allow love to permeate our lives. We need not harbor negativity about this, loss and sorrow, definitely,for indeed the loss was startling! But I choose, like you to move forward in tribute to their actions. I choose love.
Thank you~
I probably should not have read this at my desk this morning, as the tears flow freely.
Thank you for that, it was beautiful and, obviously, extremely moving.
We are strong as one, and unstoppable as a whole.
I hope we never lose sight of what we are made of. Heart, compassion, and impossible strength.
Peace in our lifetime,
Laura
Thank you Michael… Love your words, so wonderful… Thank you.
Love this! Beautifully done.
Thank you for posting.
My daughter and I were right across the west side hwy when both buildings fell. We basically escaped lower Manhattan by jumping on an abandoned bus idling on the highway. The bus driver had run out of it , left the keys still in and the bus running, thinking the buildings were going to fall on him.
Eventually a kid got behind the wheel and drove everyone on the bus to the east side, where we felt was safer.
A man saw my 6 yr old daughter completely covered in dust, itching and breathing in an envelope that i happened to have in my purse. –
He took off his shirt and gave it to her so she could either change her clothes or breathe into it.
I have never been able to thank him, so I always post this story hoping he will read my of gratitude someday.
He was and is a hero to us.
The most beautiful tribute I have read on this day of remembering. Thank you.
What a great way to celebrate instead of mourn those that died. Thank you for the uplifting remembrance.
I love that you’re celebrating the strength and goodness of people. Really love that.
A loving tribute providing comfort and closure where there has been a void. Thank you. Thank you all, the fallen and the survivors. Know you inspire us everyday.
The enormity of what happened that day will always bring tears and complete disbelief at what humans (the evil ones) are capable of. I also often think so much of the heroes that day….each and every one of them were faced with a horror that is unimaginable. I thought this was a beautiful tribute to those folks that never made it home that day 11 years ago. They should never be forgotten! My thoughts and prayers are with all their surviving family members!
When situations are difficult, it is heart warming how our fellow man always steps up with courage to help one another. Thank you for a beautiful article.