I work about one block from (what was) the World Trade Center (“WTC”). I was in # 1 WTC in 1993 about 1/2 hour before the bomb went off–I used to do my banking there. I was within 100 yards of it today when the second plane hit. I have worked around and walked through that building nearly every day for the past 10 years. My apartment’s balcony (in Brooklyn Heights) looks out over the harbor, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Staten Island Ferry, and, of course, the WTC.
My favorite Irish music venue, The Blarney Star, is three blocks north of the WTC, at Church and Murray Street. (Cathal McConnell was to have played there this weekend.) I get (or, should I say, used to get) my corned beef sandwiches in Shapiro’s Deli in the lower lobby of #1 WTC. When friends and family come to town, we go there. The tunnel between the Chambers Street subway stop on the “A Train” line and the WTC is a great place to play the whistle–the accoustics are (were?) phenomenal. And now, the Twin Towers are no more.
I would like to share a really decent photo of the Twin Towers and the harbor with my whistling brothers and sisters. If you would like one e-mailed to you, let me know (TOMDOWL@AOL.COM). JPEG format uploads and downloads faster, though I also have it as a bitmap.
One day we will all whistle in joy. That day is not today.
This act of evil has effected all of America. But it’s so much tougher when there is such a personal connection. Having a large part of your life suddenly gone is difficult to cope with. I pray God will comfort you in this time.
Take care,
Vinny
PS I wanted to add that I am very thankful for that 100 yards.
[ This Message was edited by: Vinny on 2001-09-12 08:05 ]
I second Vinny’s thanks for the 100 yards between you and the disaster, Tom. When we here it’s safe to go down there again, let’s go play a few tunes by the site in memory of all that has been lost.
Thanks for your kind words. The events of the past 36 hours put me in a frame of mind somewhere between “The Battle of Aughrim” and “Return From Fingal” (a/k/a “After the Battle of Aughrim”. It has been tough to face the magnitude of this loss, the full dimensions of which will perhaps begin to sink in on all of us in the days to come.
This website that I’m making a link to below is from a local television channel. The picture below is from two news services and while maybe it is purely random, it sure puts a face of the cloud. I’m still shocked after seeing it.
I’ve never been to New York City but I hope one day to meet you and join you in playing our whistles to grieve, to remember, and to eventually find a way to celebrate the lives of those who died and sacrificed on that fateful day. A year from now, on September 11th, I plan to be there playing my whistle.
My heart goes out to you and to those closest to the tragedy.