Dear Editor:
As the ferry moved out of the slip on the gray Tuesday morning, a feeling of sadness was felt. As we headed toward New York Harbor and Battery Park, even the Lady was gray and sad. It seems that Liberty was in question now. Walking toward the area of Ground Zero, my niece and myself felt uneasiness around us. When we approached the sight of unthinkable acts of terrorism, we became quiet and overcome with grief. My niece’s father used to work in the WTC, and her brother also worked there at the Windows on the World. So the “what ifs” were unspoken, but deeply felt. The quiet of the crowds, the pictures, flowers, dolls and momentos that were deeply felt was startling. I haven’t ever seen New York so in mourning.
My niece’s husband is a volunteer Fire Fighter. They could not cross the GW Bridge the day of 9/11. Told that a bus found with bombs on it, near the bridge. New Jersey got the wounded by ferry, and ambulances came through the tunnels.
As we approached a policewoman, we asked her where a good place to eat lunch would be. She replied “All the good ones are gone.” Again we were reminded of the tragedy that hit the New Yorkers.
New Yorkers aren’t always understood, mostly tolerated. But they came to their fullest height in dealing with the loss handed to them. They worked the most and accomplished the most, and didn’t hang out in caves terrorizing their countrymen and women. As we stood in front of this sphere that was in front of the WTC, now in Battery Park, again the private prayers were said. Lots of foreign speaking observers of New York’s tragedy also was reserved in manner. As we went aboard the ferry to bring us home to Hoboken, we noticed that even Ellis Island seemed gray and sad. Pray for New York. Pray for the USA. Millie Silvio
Born in Hoboken, now living in Tuscon, Arizona