10 Remember 9/11: Chicagoans Recall Day Etched in History
Updated: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011
More than a day's drive separate Chicago from New York City and Washington D.C. But the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, brought them much closer.
Now, a decade after 9/11, the staff of The Red Line Project profiles 10 people and communities that were impacted by the acts of terrorism at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard United 93. Some lost family members. Some witnessed the event. Some rushed from Chicago to help.
And they share one thing in common: They all remember ...
“This horrible event of hate really catalyzed this incredible outpouring of love and compassion with everyone in America doing everything they could to help ... I wish we had that compassion all the time.”
“We could see the skyline of the towers with smoke streaming. After about an hour, we all looked and they just crumbled ... I still shake when I think of that, all the people that worked there. I pretty much saw them all turn to ash.”
“I was stunned, I figured we were at war, but I couldn’t figure out who the enemy was. I was thinking, ‘Is it China? Is it Russia? Who’s attacking America?’ ”
“It was the first time in U.S. history that all airports closed. Airports from time-to-time close for security reasons or for mechanical failure, but never had the whole system shut down. It was somewhat eerie to look up in the sky and not see any planes or any contrails in the air ... [it was an] eerie quiet.”
“Disasters oftentimes cause people to lose faith in humanity. Our job is to provide immediate assistance, establish a human connection, bear witness to their experience, and empower them for the future.”
“I don’t know when it’s going to end, but I’m sure this is not the end. Something else is going to rise before our time is over. We put down our guard on 9/11. People forgot what happened at Pearl Harbor. We have to stay on our toes and stay alert.”
“As first responders, we are trained to handle any credible threat. Public Safety [has] always maintained excellent relations with law enforcement. Today, we work closely with the FBI and Homeland Security.” -- DePaul Director of Public Safety Bob Wachowski (left)
“NYU graduate and Chicagoan Ruta Rimas “It was one of those moments when I felt very much a part of the city and a piece of the city. It was just a New York moment; one that has stayed with me for a very long time.”
“Of course, you know all the what ifs. If he had stayed in the [Pentagon] room with the admirals, he would be alive. But he came back to do his job and was seated at the table with the other members of his group when the plane hit directly.” -- Naperville's Pat Shanower on her son, Dan, who died on 9/11
“I think that there's definitely a climate of nervousness when people have to drive through here." -- Tony Maldonado (left), who lives near Devon Avenue and its many Pakistani-run businesses
Where were you on 9/11? Tell your personal stories about what happened that day in our special comments section.
The staff of The Red Line Project would like to thank Don and Beth Zoufal, Chris Serb, Jackie Mitchell and Veronica Vasquez of The Red Cross, and Barry Walter of the VFW for their help with this project. Photo credit on graphic: U.S. Navy/Creative Commons.
The Fall Quarter DePaul Discussion and Debate Society and the students of Communication Studies (395) will ask "Have we learned the lessons of September 11?"
Students will discuss such questions as: Is there any truth to conspiracy theories? Do we know our enemy? Are we safe enough from terrorists? The students will be joined by a number of experts. If you would like to join the discussion, please contact Beth Zoufal at ezoufal [at] depaul.edu.
