09/11/2026
𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁.
On that morning 25 years ago, had I caught my regular train, I would have been there when the first plane struck the North Tower.
The next train put me at Christopher Street station, just a few blocks from the World Trade Center. I could see the North Tower burning. Before I could even comprehend what was happening, I watched the second plane hit the South Tower.
It was unbelievable. I kept thinking, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡.
Almost instinctively, I continued walking toward the buildings - towards my office which was in close vicinity - while the countless emergency vehicles rushed toward the scene.
Then I witnessed things no person should ever have to see. I saw people trapped by the unimaginable smoke and heat, making the heartbreaking decision to jump from the upper floors. Even today, I struggle to put into words the agony of what I witnessed. Recalling it still leaves me shaken.
As the towers fell, I found myself engulfed in a cloud of dust and debris. It took hours to find my way back home to New Jersey.
Twenty-five years later, the memories remain. But so does the profound sense of gratitude—for the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, first responders, volunteers, and ordinary people who showed extraordinary courage and compassion that day. 𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱.
Here in Livingston, we remember seven of our own neighbors whose lives were taken that day. Their names are a permanent part of our community, and their families and loved ones remain in our thoughts.
My heart and thoughts will be with our community as we come together to remember (I will miss being at the memorial due to travels)
𝑹𝙚𝒎𝙚𝒎𝙗𝒆𝙧. 𝑹𝙚𝒇𝙡𝒆𝙘𝒕. 𝙐𝒏𝙞𝒕𝙚. 𝑵𝙚𝒗𝙚𝒓 𝑭𝙤𝒓𝙜𝒆𝙩. 🇺🇸
