ground zero 9/11
An event the world must never forget — and one we must ensure never happens again. It marked a moment of darkness but also a flicker of hope. A city once divided briefly united.
From 1993 to 2019, I proudly served with the NYC Department of Sanitation.
Every day, I operated fuel trucks, roll-on/roll-off trucks, and buses — a behind-the-scenes role that quietly kept the city running. Over the years, I transported dignitaries and politicians, and responded to emergencies ranging from plane crashes to natural disasters.
But nothing could prepare me for what happened on September 11, 2001.
That morning was supposed to be meaningful for a different reason — it was my daughter Anjie’s first day of elementary school. It was also Election Day, and like every year since I turned 18, I had cast my vote. After dropping Anjie off at school, I got back in my car, tuned in to 1010 WINS — and I knew instantly that something terrible had just happened.
As a member of a special response unit, we were immediately activated. There was no hesitation — just duty. That day changed everything. For me. For my family. For the city I love.