Several things to post here.
Lou, your tribute, I told you before, Your tribute moved me.
Now, I'll tell everyone, those towers were my compass when I lived in the city (Brooklyn). As soon as I got out of the train station, I would turn around to figure out where I was. Once I located the towers, I could point myself in the right direction.I worked on Broad Street, right off of the southern tip in Manhattan, can't tell you all how many times I had lunch or dinner at the Trade Center.
Took me hours to get home that day. Yet I had it easier than so many. My father walked home, over the Brooklyn Bridge. My cousin and I were rescued by Port Authority Police who pulled us into the Heliport when she collapsed from the effects of the debris cloud. We were trapped in the heliport building for 3 hours. then all of a sudden, boats at the pier. Again, we had it easy, the boat took us to 59 street pier in Brooklyn, just over a mile or so from my house.
My immediate family was blessed. Of so many family members who worked in lower Manhattan, all made it home safely.
Yet it seems that everyone new someone who was lost. I know a few.
Let me just say, there is nothing more heartbreaking than a firefighter's funeral.
This is the reason why I live in Virginia, and not NY anymore. Going to work became a scary, gut wrenching experience every day. Also, of no surprise (to me anyway) why I can not stand flying. I was never a fan of flying, now I am absolutely terrified to get on a plane.
I can't say enough how much you all mean to me. People I have never met. Yet I consider it a blessing to know all of you. I know I don't post as much as anyone else here, but I read every post. Every. Post.
You all make my day yellow. Especially today. Thank you.
Also, for the ladies, to make you stop crying, i have to find a picture of my youngest brother. He is a firefighter for NYFD. Ten House. Liberty Street.
Look it up on the net. I am not sure if his picture is there, but I have to go back to work now.
Thank you. For all of the Maelstromin' Madness.
Erin
Cause we'll be arriving on THURSDAY!! 
I'll stop crying sometime today. Really. And if you feel like you need a little more distance, come to Georgia and be my friend . . .(you know, a friend I can have lunch with instead of an imaginary lunch, or lunch at the same time, or whatever.)
