Looking Back 23 Years: The Day That Changed America

Hi everybuddy, CK2.0 here.  Just wanted everyone to know neither Pop or I have forgotten that terrible day.  This is the last post Cathy Keisha did before TW ended up in the hospital last year on this day.

Hola kitties. 23 years ago was before most of us kitties were born. 2001 was a year of change for my peeps. Gramma had passed the year before and they still had to decide what to do with the houses. Nicky and Autumn were the resident cats and I was yet to be born. 

Both of the peeps had jobs in NYC which they commuted to daily. No one could have expected what happened on a clear September day—election day in New York—of that year. I'll let Pop reflect back on that September 11 as he's done each year on this blog.

It was 20 Years Ago Today. Never Forget

Hola kitties! You can see it on my face. I have the sadz every year on this date. Has it been 20 years already—11 since I first posted these first-hand accounts—since the senseless acts of terror on September 11, 2001? These events that happened before most of us kitties were born are so important that we have to keep alive the memory of that day; of those heroic first responders who gave all and the office workers who never returned to their loved ones. This is something humans—especially American humans—need to remember.

I concentrate on the World Trade Center but we can't forget those who lost their lives at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 83 which crashed in Shanksville, PA. We decided not to make this post image heavy cos it's the words that should stand out. This is a day that might have changed MY history as well. Along with Pop's recollections I'm also privileged to share another eyewitness account written by one of Pop's co-workers and friends. I apologize for the length of this post. Take it away Pop!

Remembering 9/11/01: No Day Shall Erase You from the Memory of Time

Hola kitties! Has it been 19 years already—ten since I first posted these first-hand accounts—since the senseless acts of terror on September 11, 2001? These events that happened before most of us kitties were born are so important that we have to keep alive the memory of that day. This post is to honor those who gave all. This is something humans—especially American humans—need to remember. I concentrate on the World Trade Center but we can't forget those who lost their lives at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 83 who crashed in Shanksville, PA. We decided not to make this post image heavy cos it's the words that should stand out. 

9/11 Museum pic ©Openler/depositphotos

Patriots Day—18 Years Later

Hola kitties! Has it been 18 years already—nine since I first posted these first-hand accounts—since the senseless act of terror on September 11, 2001? An event that happened before most of us kitties were born is so important that we have to keep the memory of that day. This post is to honor all those who gave all. This is something humans—especially American humans—need to remember. I concentrate on the World Trae Center but we can't forget those who lost their lives at the Pentagon and aboard Flight 83 who crashed in Shanksville, PA.  We decided not to make this post image heavy cos it's the words that should stand out.

18 years and names are still being added to the wall of fallen firefighters. 22 more firefighters have died from 9/11-related illnesses this year. 18 years and the remains of two more humans who perished were identified within the past two months. 18 years ago 60,000 people were ferried to safety from lower Manhattan including my Pop to our town. 18 years and the hell is still very real to those who witnessed the events of that day and those first responders who are sick. 18 years but we remember the first responders who are fighting for their lives today and every day.

Never Forgotten Always Remembered 9.11.01

Hola kitties! A few weeks ago while the peeps were walking to the supermarket, they came upon a couple of people talking in the senior building parking lot. They were discussing their memories of watching the horror of September 11, 2001 on tv from their homes. Seventeen years later, it's still on everyone's mind in this area. No one has forgotten and how can they?

Pop looked at TW and said "I was there. I watched it in person; not on tv." Yes, Pop was close enough that he was accepted into the 9/11 Health Program in which they monitor the health of first responders and the "survivors" who lived and worked downtown. TW watched from the window of her office in midtown as the towers collapsed and will forever remember the screams of anguish of her coworkers with friends and loved ones working in the World Trade Center. It wasn't until she saw the first tower fall that she realized Pop might be in danger.

A Time for Reflection—September 11, 2001

Every September 11 since I started blogging I’ve rerun this piece Pop wrote because, thankfully, I have new readers who may not have read it. Although over a decade and a half have past since these terrorist attacks, both Pop and TW can recall the events of that terrifying day as if it was yesterday. Both worked in New York City at the time. It's a long post and I thank anyone who reads it.

With all the natural disasters—floods, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, fires in the west, earthquake in Mexico—it's easy to forget that this is the anniversary of an unnatural disaster. An act of war. Planes struck both towers of the World Trade Center in NYC, the Pentagon and one was downed in Shanksville, PA. Over 3000 people were killed. Among them were innocent people at work doing their jobs and first responders from FDNY, NYPD and Port Authority cops. It's easy for those not in the tristate area to focus on what's going on now and consider the events of 9/11 old news.

It's not "old news" for those in 2017 still suffering life-threatening illnesses from breathing the air at Ground Zero or the children living in lower Manhattan who were exposed to chemicals released while the buildings burned. Those children are showing early signs of heart disease risk.

15 Years Later. We Never Forget

Every September 11 since I started blogging I’ve rerun this piece Pop wrote because, thankfully, I have new readers who may not have read it. Although a decade and a half have past since these terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC, the Pentagon in DC and Shanksville, PA, both Pop and TW can recall the events of that terrifying day as if it was yesterday. Pop still shudders when a low-flying plane passes the condo and TW remembers the uncertainty of not being able to contact Pop for 12 long hours. She can still hear the anguished cries of her co-workers who had friends and loved ones working in the WTC as they watched the buildings crumble and disappear from their office window. I’m not trying to be overly dramatic; I’m just reporting the facts. It was too close for comfort for both my peeps.

TW has been to several 9/11 memorials and masses over the past 15 year. Some of today's photos were taken at last year's local memorial. She promises some day to jot down her memories which are just as fresh today as 15 years ago.

Tribute Art From the Heart

Today I'm unveiling a very special work of art. I've been painting this for a few weeks. It holds a very special meaning for my peeps so I wanted to get every brush stroke right. Tomorrow I hope to unveil a similar piece that likewise captures a feeling as much as an image.

Remembering Today and Every Day

Every September 11 since I started blogging I’ve rerun this piece Pop wrote because, thankfully, I have new readers who may not have read it. Although 14 years have gone by since this terrorist attack, both Pop and TW still recall that terrifying day as if it was yesterday. Pop still flinches when a low-flying plane passes the condo and TW remembers the uncertainty of not being able to contact Pop for 12 long hours. She can still hear the anguished cries of her co-workers who had friends and loved ones working in the WTC as they watched the buildings crumble and disappear from their office window. I’m not trying to be overly dramatic; I’m just reporting the facts.