His comment that the first responders who ran into the building, knowing that they were probably not coming out….he said was more than heroism….was a touch of divinity. I have never heard what those brave souls did that day more perfectly described. Thank you.
I know heroes have always been a part of humanity: it's just extraordinary to know how many were there that day. Everyone we knew at our firehouse was lost that day. Rest in paradise.
I remember watching it all at work and how united the people became. I miss that US. I would not believe it if you told me that years later Mitch McConnel and other republicans would intentionally block a bill to extend free healthcare to the first responders suffering of all kinds of cancer - because that became a political chest piece to them in negotiating something they wanted from Democrats. This makes me so mad! How could any American vote for that? SMH
I attended a wedding in the spring of 2002 in Cary North Carolina. After the rehearsal dinner we met at someone's home to socialize. I introduced myself to a gentlemen and we started talking. It was John. His wife's sister married my cousin Dan. John told me he was in the towers on 9/11. I don't think I breathed for the next hour. Since it was only 6 months after the attack John told his story in vivid detail and graciously answered all my questions. When he was finished I looked around and noticed the room had filled with people. We were all dumfounded. I was at a lost for words and was barely able to utter "you are a real life hero." He said "nah, anyone else would have done the same thing." I teach 8th grade social studies. Every year I share John's story with my classes. Every single time I get a lump in my throat. I am truly fortunate to have crossed paths with John.
As a close friend of John and his whole family, I am so grateful and happy that he is still here. Living. He has just always put a smile on my face and made funny jokes whenever his daughter and I hang out. I never wanted to ask him about the event considering it might have been awkward for a 12 year old friend of his to do so. This goes to show that he is a wonderful person and I’m so happy that I have the opportunity to be such close friends with him. Thank you John for all you have done for me. See Ya!❤
You are a true hero, John. As a disabled woman who uses a wheelchair, I have admired you since 9/11 and sent best wishes your way many times. You risked your own life to save another human being. Thank you.
I'm clearly obsessed with these stories....some are heart wrenching and others are miracles but after 22 years I'm still learning and trying to process these horrific events....😢
Same. Every story is a unique perspective. Actually 2 nights ago I had a dream I was trying to escape one of the towers knowing it was going to collapse any moment. What was weird about the dream is that I had to decide if I was going to go slowly down the stairs to help my elderly mom down or if I was going to bolt down because I still have a son living at home and he has health problems so would have a really hard time without me. My mothers instinct kicked in and I told my mom I had to go and she was on her own. I woke up feeling guilty and have been dealing with the guilt ever since. But I think a mothers instinct is very strong. I’m sure there were people who had to make similar decisions. I can’t imagine the guilt some people live with.
@@stephanienewton6618 awww. That's so hard. I'm sure that if that had been a real scenario, your mom would have wanted you to help your son. Our dreams can be so cruel sometimes. Hope you and your son are doing well. ❤
"Get off the phone. Get out right now!" His father was on the ball with that. One of the most disturbing things about 9/11 is how many people reached the bottom of the towers and were then told by security to go back to their offices.
@@jhandleybeats8771 Yes. Stanley Praimnath was one of those. He went back to his office and watched the plane come towards him. He hid under his desk as miraculously survived as it crashed into his floor. He would have been the only person on that floor I think to have survived so imagine how many were sent back to their deaths. See 1:20 in the video below were he tells about the security guards telling him to go back. ua-cam.com/video/JdXu_G92R-I/v-deo.html
@@jhandleybeats8771 When American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower, Praimnath started to evacuate from his 81st floor office in the South Tower, but he returned when the security guards of the building said the South Tower was secure, and workers should return to their offices.[2] Whilst making a phone call from his office, he looked out the south side of the building and spotted United Airlines Flight 175 flying towards him. Praimnath froze up as the aircraft approached, unable to decide what to do, but at the last moment he dove under his desk just as the plane crashed into the building. The left wing sliced through his office and became lodged in a door 20 feet (6 m) from him.[3] Praimnath was bruised and exhausted, and covered in debris after the crash, which left him stuck and unable to escape on his own. (From Wikipedia).
That’s what makes me sad to so many told to go back no danger here and then Stanley Praimnath he was one that went back up to his office and the plane hit secs later while he was on phone saw the plane coming at him and duck underneath his desk just in time. His story is everywhere if you haven’t heard it.
Yes and what is horrendous is how the goverment tried to deny that all those that suffered severe health problems and for some death from working at ground zero were not related.
The most disturbing thing I think future generations need to know about is the conditions that led to people jumping from 1000+ feet to their death. Remind people of the 150-200 people who either fell or made a fateful decision. And no it wasn't suicide. Had terrorists not crashed a fully fueled 767 into their building. They would've never in a million years made that decision. It's become the most taboo subject on any major disaster in history. But it needs to be talked about. The sacrifice those people made must be known forever.
And for many, I'm sure it wasn't even a decision so much as an overwhelming instinct that drove them away from the heat. It's in our DNA. They could no more stay in it than someone could hold their hand on a hot stove
You mean it’s NOT taught in schools ? And if this is so that outrageous!!!! This never never never to be forgotten ESPECIALLY all the people who were killed !!! And yes the people who couldn’t or wouldn’t accept the conditions made their choice on how they wanted to die. What a horrible and terrifying position to be put in just because you went to work !! To this day I hate those people and do not think they paid enough for what was done because we are still dying from that day !
Blessed by whom? Why those who died in flames or jumped to death weren't f*cking blessed? Leave the idiotic religion out of this. The guy was lucky, that's all.
A lot of people actually were far closer. Dozens of people were from the 89th, 90th and 91st floors (two floors below the impact zone and the only floor some people survived from). Nobody on the floor above them, the 92nd floor would survive. Worse is the fact that in some videos showing the East side of Tower 1 from 8:46 am to 9:03, you can see probably 15-20 people jump from the East side windows of the 92nd and 93rd floors, likely cause they had a raging fire encroaching on them from behind because in some of the same videos at about 9:15, you can see flames starting to shoot out of the same windows those people jumped from.
John seems like a kind and thoughtful articulate guy. What a thing to happen to a kid straight out of college. He probably spent the rest of his 20’s dealing with PTSD and survivors guilt instead of doing the usual things young folks are supposed to do. Being young and having your first real job in NYC and then having it all pulled out from under you in an instant. Wow. Can’t even imagine it. God bless you brother.
I am off the subject here...but of course just disgusted and angered by these bast--- doing this to innocent Americans.....but uhh dude still looks hot. Still got it!
naah i would never wish to be that brave. That man is amazing alot of them are. But I couldn’t ever imagine being in their shoes. I even think about being a firefighter that day & Hearing what possibly has happened. I know for sure I couldn’t of stepped foot in that building. & I know many other firefighters did the same. But them Heroes who went up to save ppl knowing they were gonna die. UNREAL
My absolute hero ❤️ what a true gentleman and guardian angel of all who couldn't make it. Orio is a legend for all the right reasons. Its people like him who should be canonised as saints. He was nothing short of amazing and his family must be so very devastated. I believe his wife is with him now. I felt for her and the children so much as a mother myself and its him who always stands out to me encapsulating the bravery of so many in 9/11 I'm in England and I am sickened by the terrorism our countries have endured with so many innocent people hurt.
He was a hero amongst the others who helped a lady get out with the wheelchair. I cannot express my gratitude that they were saved. So sorry for those who lost their lives. They were heroes too 😢💔
This still hurts 22 years tomorrow. You have not been forgotten. I was 35 when this happened and dropped to my knees in disbelief. I can't imagine having to make a decision like all our brave people did. I pray for all the family and friends of the lost. 💔💔🙏🙏🙏
There is another video capturing people on the street. A young man is calling his mom to let her know he was okay and not at work. He explained that he stayed up to watch the over time game Monday Night Football, overslept for work and was very late. He said incredulously: "Monday Night Football saved my life!"
For the past 5 years, I have been coming to UA-cam to watch 9/11 videos. I traumatize myself every single time. But still I come and watch again. Watching footage as the 2nd plane hit that morning still makes me say "Oh my God..." and scares me as if I'm watching it for the first time. I will never forget. 💗 🙏💗🙏
I was born in August 2005 but I feel like the surviors stories are so moving and powerful. No one could've ever thought something of this magnitude would ever happen. Tomorrow will mark 23 years at the time I'm writing this (Tues, 9/10/24)
It’s noticeable that everyone remembers that the forecast was amazing that day. And then our world changed forever. It’s like being on the eye of a cyclone. I admire the survivors like John that can tell us with so much detail their horrendous experiences. My blessings and thoughts for those who aren’t here anymore
I heard a tower one survivor state that 9/11 is the first thing he remembers every morning and, the last thing he thinks about before he goes to bed every night. Some may think that he may need help or, should be seeking help for this but, I know that there’s nothing that will ever make the memories of that horrible day go away. The majority of us who was there or, were working in the ground zero area that day, knows the effects that day had on our memories. It has now been twenty one years and, to me and, many others, it seems like it happened a few weeks ago. I had medical treatment for my trauma, group therapy and, meetings with my church Priest but, the memories of that day will always be with me and, others who were there. Bless all of those who were able to get away from the towers and, ground zero. Always remember that despite what others may say, think and, believe, there are many of us who are not capable of hiding from our memories.❤
That was John Dittmar a senior employee with CNA Insurance out of Chicago. He and a group of his colleagues were at a meeting in the South Tower's 105th flr when the 1st plane hit the North. He and his group were going down the stairs trying to evacuate and had reached the 74th floor when the 2nd plane hit the South. The plane hit btwn the 77 and 82 floor. He was on a business trip with 53 others. Only 7 survived. He and the few surviving coworkers had made it 8 blocks when the tower they were in collapsed. He says the screams of all the people that witnessed that are the first thing he hears each morning and the last thing he hears at night.
@@charomejia-gm4yx god bless him. Many people who've never experienced severe trauma of any kind don't fully understand how it lives with you for years after. It never heals, not really; the only thing that helps, other than love & support and possibly therapy & medication, is time. But it never heals completely.
I was 11 years old, watching live footage in Georgia (country). I ran outside to my mom, I didn’t know what I was supposed to tell her. I just said something like ‘something terrible’s happened in America mom, they’re shutting the whole country down’. Sounds so weird now. I don’t even know why I said that, or why I understood it that way, I must’ve been confused and didn’t know what I was looking at, but I knew it was beyond devastating. I’ll never forget. I won a scholarship 6 years later and started my exchange year in the US as a senior in high school. It had been the only dream I’d ever had in life. Seeing the New York City skyline for the first time with the famous twin towers missing, was eerie to say the least. I’d seen so many photos and they’d been like symbols of NYC for me.
I was 12 and I remember asking my mom that night if we’re going to be taken captive by the other country. It really felt like America had no protection that night.
I was 34 years old. I had a 3-and-a-half-year-old and a barely 2-year-old. I live in New England but grew up in New Jersey about 40 minutes outside the City. I have not and I will not go to the Memorial Area. I can't do it, emotionally. Several days after 9/11, I noticed my 2-year-old had dark circles under his eyes. I put them to bed one night but checked on the lighting from the base of the stairs. I saw light coming from my 2-year-old's room. I went up the stairs and opened his door. The overhead light was on, and he was wide awake 2 hours after bedtime. He told me he couldn't sleep because he was so sad for the thousands of people who died. Then he told me he felt really sad for their families who would never see them again. We had a somber talk and he was able to sleep. That's when I knew I had an extremely empathetic child. He cares SO MUCH ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE IT HURTS HIM. He's now nearly 25 years old. He has found some ways to deal with it but he remains sensitive to others. He is a blessing to our family and to others.
I remember this day so vividly. My brothers and I were being homeschooled at the time. My mother called us from work and told us to turn on the TV. We watched the second plane hit, the towers fall, and hearing about the pentagon and flight 93. To this day I watch documentaries on 9/11. I think it is very important to keep it alive. For the victims and their families. It is painful and it hurts my heart every time I watch it but it shows how fragile life is and how important it is to love those around you because you never now when they may leave you unexpectedly.
This man put thoughts and feelings into words that made the whole experience very relatable. Of all the 9/11 documentaries I've watched, I don't think any of them made me feel the feelings like this one did.
Incredible really. I had to go back a couple of times to see why they highlighted that man running before I realized that was the narrator of this story. They must of looked through a lot of footage to find some where he appears.
I think what a lot of younger people just don't understand what this did to everyone and the full scope of the fallout. There was life pre- 9/11 and then there was this. The economy, safety, innocence, just everything was gone in less than a blink of an eye. I don't even know anyone that was killed that day, or even know someone that knew someone but it devastated me all the same.
I agree, Valerie. I was trying to tell my teenage nephew a little about it, and I started by trying to explain how iconic the Twin Towers were and how much they meant to NYC, the U.S., and in some ways, the world. He was nodding, and I knew he understood me with his mind, but he could never feel it in his gut. Anyone over a certain age on 9/11 can just say to another, “Man, when the first tower came down …” and the other person just gets it. A symbol was ripped out of our lives that day, along with almost 3,000 innocent souls.
@@Banichi04 yeah I was pregnant with twins that day and my husband was working at an airport and my oldest was in school. They both were on lockdown and I was unable to get to either of them. That fear almost sent me into preterm labor and that is what is so hard to convey. That absolute fear and desperation.
I think in a sense, the pandemic is their generation's 9/11 - in the sense of losing the economy, safely, innocence, as you said, just in a completely different way.
@@valerieschoettmer9736 20-something years on, I'd almost forgotten what it was like during those hours when information and rumors were all over the place. At the time, the word was that there were still planes in the sky that had been hijacked, and thank god that ultimately turned out to be untrue. But the waiting was a nightmare - that waiting when you had absolutely no idea if another plane was going to fall out of the sky at any moment, anywhere at all, and destroy something else, was terrifying. Like you said, the fear and desperation we felt then was like nothing we'd ever experienced, and it is difficult to explain it to someone who's never been through it. (It's just as difficult as explaining the eerie sensations of - what, fear? Dread? Nausea? Uneasiness? - that we also felt the first time you saw a plane flying in the sky again once air traffic resumed across the country.)
This was such a riveting interview. I felt all of his words. True inspirations comes from those who put their life on the line and I am in awe of everyone who selflessly acts on saving the life of another. I try to aim to such stature.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I am from the UK and I still remember and feel that day for everyone. I will never forget and always care about our USA brothers
These interviews are so vital. It is so deeply moving to hear their words of wisdom after surviving the unthinkable. Yes, love and relationships are the most important thing.
After 22 yrs. I still can't wrap my head around horrific event. Even as this gentleman tells his own experience of that day. I'm glad he has been able to live his life even though it change him to a become the person he is today. I'm sad by all those who took their lives and weren't able to escape. I believe this was a warning to all here in the US that we can't control vour destiny. But we can make choices to improve our self and try to live with purpose and help those around us who need our help!!
The world changed that day for sure. I worked for the same company as Mike and John. While I was in the home office in Randolph, MA we all watched in horror at the events that occured that day. One of my co-workers was on the phone with the office when the 1st plane hit and she started crying, we knew something was wrong, then we were all on the web glued to our computers watching everything unfold. While we were all in shock, I can't imagine what it was like to be there, the horror. Two of the planes took off from Logan Airport and my roomates husband would have normally been on the flight to LA, but his boss and family went instead, including his very young daughter. So many lives lost and a country united in tragedy....it is sad at the state of our country now. #neverforget
Thank you for sharing some of the ways this horrific event has marked you and your proximity to those who were lost that day. I think for many of us who remember that day, whether we admit it or not, there’s life before 9/11, and life after. The world did change that day.
Thank you for acknowledging that. Many people were helping those who needed help. Race, creed and or, color wasn’t a factor on that day. That was a day of helping those who were in need.
I believe I’m familiar with this story. Were they the couple with the two year old daughter. The father was speaking to their son-Peter when he heard him say, “Oh My God”. His mother had turned the television on just before the second plane-Flight 175 hit the second tower. Sorry for your lost and, May they all R.I.P.
John's story is amazing, as are all these others I am seeing her online. I keep imagining myself in their shoes and I'm not sure if I would have made it out myself. I have not been to New York City and thus have not visited the memorial. It is on my bucket list though. I did visit the Flight 93 memorial here in Pennsylvania and it was an eye opening experience. My prayers go to all of these people affected as I'm sure many still struggle with the thoughts of the events of that day.
I was working out with a friend in an outdoor weight "room" and we just finished and walked into to the main gym to see smoke rising from the first tower on a TV-thinking it was a story on how real computers make things look..until the second plane hit. Anyway, my (then) best friend who had worked as an elevator mechanic for years in the complex had been there and helped rescue people from the roof in 1993 was also there in 2001. He's scarred physically from breathing the air during the clean up and psychology from-well, the obvious. I used to be a professional pyrotech and he would come to some of my shows to watch me work-after September 11th he was never able to be close to any kind of explosions. I'm glad you made it out safely. and I understand your "need" to watch this type of footage-I just don't understand why-we do. Best to you.
Every year I see new videos from this horrific day. This is one of them. It's been almost 22 years and it STILL feels like this happened last year...or maybe 2 years ago. Still recall everything so vividly...although it felt like a dreamstate. 8:24, I was on the phone with my mom and had Peter Jennings on as the South Tower came down. My mom was wondering what happened and just said "I don't see it anymore..holy sh*t, the tower collapsed!" It just didn't seem possible, imaginable at the time. Still recall ABC's Jennings reaction of horror, and being speechless - "We're talking massive casualties...and ...[long pause] .....[whew]..." There were small little miracles that morning, Giants going into OT the night before...many headed into work a little later than usual because the game ran so late. Some went in later because they went to vote first, NYC Primary election. If this attack started 30-60 minutes later...1000's more would have been in these towers. Still, never forget those who perished that day - in NYC, The Pentagon and all on the planes, the absolute hell terror that they felt stuck in the buildings / planes. Just horrific.
Regardless of what ppl think about 911....have some respect for the people who died just going to work....just feeding their families....or working to help Americans continue to have what we have...so many businesses were in those buildings. Our whole financial institution and infrastructure was being worked on and held together by those people. Our bank accounts....stock market investments we've made...our whole daily way of life was being taken care of by those buildings. So however you feel....for whatever reason....if your living here....you have roof over your head.....food in your house.....a job....and a means to make your family strive.....shut up and don't forget those ppl died that day just so they could help us.
Never looked into 9/11 much idk why ? Here I am 22yrs old learning more and my heart is broken for anyone who had to suffer the consequences of these evil people that day even if they weren’t in. The building or helping out I cannot even imagine the pain
In an indescribable way I’ve never been so proud to be an American and that has never left me from that day forward. Even through all the sadness, horror and fear, I have never seen New York and this country unite and love one another than I had on that day,weeks and months following. I believe in us as people that we are capable of so much more than we give. Whether that be to your community, your friends, family, co-workers etc. Why do we need to be faced with tragedy and suffering in order to love, care and respect one another. I believe in “Us” as individuals, in “Us as a community, city, state, country and world. We hold the power to changing this world, our lives and the people around us. I wake up every day wondering what my purpose here is, how can I contribute anything to put love back into this world? I can start with the people that I’m surrounded by. We forget the value of people and how to treat people until we’re faced with losing them in any kind of way. I’m guilty of this myself, I wake up every day trying to be a better person than I was the day before. I sometimes fail miserably and fall short more than I’d like to admit. I believe in everyone except myself but I hope to change that. Changing this world starts with changing yourself and loving yourself. I don’t believe you can’t love someone unless you love yourself first. What started out as a comment regarding September 11th has turned into a form of soul searching but sometimes that’s painfully necessary to make changes that start with you.
I live all you have said. Your a kind person. I have had people smile or say hello and it has made my day. I accidently cut in front of someone in a parking lot and she just smiled big and waved at me. I decided to start doing that. It has been many years and having that attitude has helped. Complimenting someone's smile , outfit or something can make someone's day. Just last week my 12 year old Granddaughter smiled a woman at the gas station. She came up to us to say she made her day.
@@robbiemarcum8878 that’s how we change the world, by starting with ourselves. Look at the difference in waving someone on opposed to cursing them out. You’ll be a positive role model in your granddaughter’s life. A few days ago I had a random person do something really crappy that will affect my life in a negative way. These experiences with people make me lose hope. Thanks for your response, be well
@mcal3602 I have been there on someone doing something that will change my life too. It affected my children too, so it was hard to deal with. I'm trying to use life as a way to be able to understand what others go through and let them know I understand. I for sure have had my mad and crying times. I hope you know your comment really helped me. Thank you. You are still a great person that cares about others. That is powerful.
@@robbiemarcum8878 thank you so much for your response. It gives me hope that most people are just people like myself trying to get through the day and life. If my comment touched one person or made someone feel like they’re not alone in a world of problems then it was worth it. My life has been falling apart the past 2 years and I’ve been searching for a deeper meaning to life. There has to be more to it then this. The good thing about hard times is it brings you On sort of a spiritual journey and healing. In order to get to that place a whole lot of pain has to surface. I hope you find your place of healing and peace. It’s beyond nice to see someone respond with a positive comment opposed to the negativity and outright meanness of people. Keep your head up, your journey’s not over. Your story has yet to be told.
@@robbiemarcum8878 we also have to keep in mind that life is about learning a lesson. I do believe we will keep reliving the same crappy day over and over until we learn from our mistakes. Kind of like groundhog’s day lol. I tell my husband that, until God, karma, the universe or whatever you want to call it, {we’re all talking about the same thing} feels that we genuinely learned our lesson than nothing will change. I also believe that we’ll keep getting sent back here until we get it right for whatever our purpose is but who knows.
Your stories are incredibly important for everyone even though it's all difficult to see and hear about. Thank you for telling us. I hope you are able to live a good life despite this horrific tragedy.
Well said, I love the comment of divinity’s presence. He and his boss are also surely heroes for rescuing not only the handicapped woman, but thereby galvanizing the remaining staff to take action to leave.
Intensely inspiring. Always Remember. God Bless our Heroes and their families. Make SURE the survivors get 1000% great medical care. They have lost too much already.
The ones responsible knew exactly the everlasting trauma that this attack would have…This will forever be shocking no matter how many times I revisit these videos
i'll never forget the day after 9/11 I was in 5th grade in the school yard and nobody was playing... everyone was talking about what just happened and half of us were looking at the sky in fear of planes
this man is inspiring how he did the right things. calling his father, helping a lady get down, relationship with boss. like seems like he was doing all the right things.
GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY BFF WENT TO HEAVEN ON THE 83RD FLOOR SOUTH TOWER, AND MY BFF NUC FIREMAN GOT BACK --- LOVE YOU TRULY KNOW THE LORD IS WITH US!
love you John, same name as my Dad, happy you're okay so so sorry for having to go through that thanks for sharing, I was just a kid when it happened but remember watching it on tv
As someone who wasn't born when this occurred. I will never forget an event that happened prior to my existence. I think technology and cameras at the time and also eye-witnesses events allow you to so vidly connect to that day. I force myself to emphasize with the people who struggled and died and what that would have been like as a way of showing my sympathy to those lost. Although i was not alive the day this occurred i vidly remember the time i first found out this happened. I had a 3DS (no phone) about maybe at like 10 years old and I stumbled across a documentary on youtube and just remember how insane the whole thing was and how much I cried seeing the events of that day.
Sorry to be so superficial amidst a very grave topic but were this man seeking an acting career I think casting agents should take note. He is most handsome and charismatic and faintly reminds me of Montgomery Clift. I love the way he focuses on the heroes of this disaster rather than just his own harrowing escape. I hope he is doing well and did not get any serious lung conditions from the debris and smoke. This was an excellent presentation.
I feel so compelled to understand better what they all went through, what it was like, and what it must have felt like to go through such a horrible thing
The 2001 firefighters somehow make other people look small and weak, especially now in 2023. Divine hero’s - an example to others. No one is worthy to walk in their footsteps .
Thank you for sharing your story and keeping memory alive of those we lost and those who endured and survived. We will never forget. May you be blessed ❤
I'm not American, I'm so sorry to the losses every American felt that day. We felt that, we really did. My father remembers watching it on TV at around teatime (I was too young to remember it), the shock that came as the events progressed and worsened. The brave first responders, running up those stairs as everyone went down, those bodies falling from the sky. As though hell had come to earth. Everybody who gave their lives to save others are angels. God bless you all.
I went last year of 2023 on the month of February. I enjoyed New York and seeing the 9/11 Memorial… it made me speechless and so overwhelmed. I can’t shake this feeling off ever since. It has made me so depressed from the hours of 8:46am through 9:03am😢😢😢😢😢 but I was only 11 years old to fully understand and I didn’t know that 4 airplanes where used to terrorize us.😢😢😢😢😢
RIP to ones that lost their Lives . I was 24 yrs old at the time, my friend worked on the 36th floor ... I tried calling him at house in the city to see if he worked that day but the phones were dead . so i ended up taking the train to the city but they blocked off anyone going down below canal street ...few days after I ended up working with a cleaning company a friend of mines owned and we cleaned for 2 months...it was bad I would get headaches everyday on the train ride back home...I ended up getting asthma too
The thing that blows my mind about 9/11 is no matter how many stories you hear you can’t imagine what it would feel like to be trapped in that building watching walls collapse and fire.. smh
Everyone who is old enough remembers two things. Where they were when Kennedy was shot and where they were when the towers were hit. Not many people were a part of those history making days. Not many lived through what you did that day and helped a stranger with disabilities escape the terror that befell all of those who were in that tower when it was hit. It is one thing to remember where you were and being there when it happened. Your firsthand experienced that day shaped your life to the point you are now wanting to give back to your community by running for a city council position. Thank you for the bravery you displayed that day 23 years ago and your willingness to go give back to your community, by running for City Council.
His comment that the first responders who ran into the building, knowing that they were probably not coming out….he said was more than heroism….was a touch of divinity. I have never heard what those brave souls did that day more perfectly described. Thank you.
I know heroes have always been a part of humanity: it's just extraordinary to know how many were there that day. Everyone we knew at our firehouse was lost that day.
Rest in paradise.
Agreed
I thought the same thing when he said that
He's not the only one who has said this. There are also pictures of them going up.
I remember watching it all at work and how united the people became. I miss that US. I would not believe it if you told me that years later Mitch McConnel and other republicans would intentionally block a bill to extend free healthcare to the first responders suffering of all kinds of cancer - because that became a political chest piece to them in negotiating something they wanted from Democrats. This makes me so mad! How could any American vote for that? SMH
I attended a wedding in the spring of 2002 in Cary North Carolina. After the rehearsal dinner we met at someone's home to socialize. I introduced myself to a gentlemen and we started talking. It was John. His wife's sister married my cousin Dan. John told me he was in the towers on 9/11. I don't think I breathed for the next hour. Since it was only 6 months after the attack John told his story in vivid detail and graciously answered all my questions. When he was finished I looked around and noticed the room had filled with people. We were all dumfounded. I was at a lost for words and was barely able to utter "you are a real life hero." He said "nah, anyone else would have done the same thing." I teach 8th grade social studies. Every year I share John's story with my classes. Every single time I get a lump in my throat. I am truly fortunate to have crossed paths with John.
I would’ve never had the audacity to ask a survivor of 9/11 any questions, especially so soon afterwards!
He's your family, that's amazing.
I would have asked him to a certain extent but he is in the family so why not.
I’m very proud of you for making sure that this is never forgotten. You hold an important role in passing that down.
@@adrianrosado2223 Well in fairness, it sounds like John volunteered his story first. And I'm sure the OP asked respectfully.
I cannot get enough of these interviews.
Me either
@@donikquac same here
right .
I feel the same. What I actually like about them is listening to the heroism. It's humbling.
It's an addiction
As a close friend of John and his whole family, I am so grateful and happy that he is still here. Living. He has just always put a smile on my face and made funny jokes whenever his daughter and I hang out. I never wanted to ask him about the event considering it might have been awkward for a 12 year old friend of his to do so. This goes to show that he is a wonderful person and I’m so happy that I have the opportunity to be such close friends with him. Thank you John for all you have done for me. See Ya!❤
You are a true hero, John. As a disabled woman who uses a wheelchair, I have admired you since 9/11 and sent best wishes your way many times. You risked your own life to save another human being. Thank you.
I'm clearly obsessed with these stories....some are heart wrenching and others are miracles but after 22 years I'm still learning and trying to process these horrific events....😢
same here. there's still so much to learn... #neverforget
Same. Every story is a unique perspective. Actually 2 nights ago I had a dream I was trying to escape one of the towers knowing it was going to collapse any moment. What was weird about the dream is that I had to decide if I was going to go slowly down the stairs to help my elderly mom down or if I was going to bolt down because I still have a son living at home and he has health problems so would have a really hard time without me. My mothers instinct kicked in and I told my mom I had to go and she was on her own. I woke up feeling guilty and have been dealing with the guilt ever since. But I think a mothers instinct is very strong. I’m sure there were people who had to make similar decisions. I can’t imagine the guilt some people live with.
@@stephanienewton6618 awww. That's so hard. I'm sure that if that had been a real scenario, your mom would have wanted you to help your son. Our dreams can be so cruel sometimes. Hope you and your son are doing well. ❤
"Get off the phone. Get out right now!" His father was on the ball with that. One of the most disturbing things about 9/11 is how many people reached the bottom of the towers and were then told by security to go back to their offices.
Never knew that? And people did or?? So they got told to stay and they didn’t make it?
@@jhandleybeats8771 Yes. Stanley Praimnath was one of those. He went back to his office and watched the plane come towards him. He hid under his desk as miraculously survived as it crashed into his floor. He would have been the only person on that floor I think to have survived so imagine how many were sent back to their deaths. See 1:20 in the video below were he tells about the security guards telling him to go back.
ua-cam.com/video/JdXu_G92R-I/v-deo.html
@@jhandleybeats8771 When American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower, Praimnath started to evacuate from his 81st floor office in the South Tower, but he returned when the security guards of the building said the South Tower was secure, and workers should return to their offices.[2] Whilst making a phone call from his office, he looked out the south side of the building and spotted United Airlines Flight 175 flying towards him. Praimnath froze up as the aircraft approached, unable to decide what to do, but at the last moment he dove under his desk just as the plane crashed into the building. The left wing sliced through his office and became lodged in a door 20 feet (6 m) from him.[3] Praimnath was bruised and exhausted, and covered in debris after the crash, which left him stuck and unable to escape on his own. (From Wikipedia).
That’s what makes me sad to so many told to go back no danger here and then Stanley Praimnath he was one that went back up to his office and the plane hit secs later while he was on phone saw the plane coming at him and duck underneath his desk just in time. His story is everywhere if you haven’t heard it.
@@jponigurl wtf I’ve missed so much! That’s crazy I’m gonna check it out, thankyou
the medical and health fallout from the dust alone is beyond tragic
They reckon more fireman have died now from the after affects of the dust than the amount that died on the day of 9/11
Yes and what is horrendous is how the goverment tried to deny that all those that suffered severe health problems and for some death from working at ground zero were not related.
100% I believe my father’s Parkinson’s is from 9/11 related exposure in the FDNY
The most disturbing thing I think future generations need to know about is the conditions that led to people jumping from 1000+ feet to their death. Remind people of the 150-200 people who either fell or made a fateful decision. And no it wasn't suicide. Had terrorists not crashed a fully fueled 767 into their building. They would've never in a million years made that decision. It's become the most taboo subject on any major disaster in history. But it needs to be talked about. The sacrifice those people made must be known forever.
And for many, I'm sure it wasn't even a decision so much as an overwhelming instinct that drove them away from the heat. It's in our DNA. They could no more stay in it than someone could hold their hand on a hot stove
❤❤❤❤💯🎯
You mean it’s NOT taught in schools ? And if this is so that outrageous!!!! This never never never to be forgotten ESPECIALLY all the people who were killed !!! And yes the people who couldn’t or wouldn’t accept the conditions made their choice on how they wanted to die. What a horrible and terrifying position to be put in just because you went to work !! To this day I hate those people and do not think they paid enough for what was done because we are still dying from that day !
Wow he wasn't far from the impact zone...he is extremely blessed to be alive
Blessed by whom? Why those who died in flames or jumped to death weren't f*cking blessed? Leave the idiotic religion out of this. The guy was lucky, that's all.
A lot of people actually were far closer. Dozens of people were from the 89th, 90th and 91st floors (two floors below the impact zone and the only floor some people survived from). Nobody on the floor above them, the 92nd floor would survive. Worse is the fact that in some videos showing the East side of Tower 1 from 8:46 am to 9:03, you can see probably 15-20 people jump from the East side windows of the 92nd and 93rd floors, likely cause they had a raging fire encroaching on them from behind because in some of the same videos at about 9:15, you can see flames starting to shoot out of the same windows those people jumped from.
@@ReveredDead is that video of the East side on here?
@@ReveredDead It's not incorrect to say floor 81 was close to the impact zone. She didn't say it was the closest.
John seems like a kind and thoughtful articulate guy. What a thing to happen to a kid straight out of college. He probably spent the rest of his 20’s dealing with PTSD and survivors guilt instead of doing the usual things young folks are supposed to do. Being young and having your first real job in NYC and then having it all pulled out from under you in an instant. Wow.
Can’t even imagine it.
God bless you brother.
I am off the subject here...but of course just disgusted and angered by these bast--- doing this to innocent Americans.....but uhh dude still looks hot. Still got it!
I love his story!!! I've seen so many of his interviews. He helped a lady down in an emergency Wheelchair with his boss. God bless him 🙏❤️
Orio the Firefighter! A TRUE AMERICAN HERO! RIP My Man! You were the kind of person most of us only wish to be!
naah i would never wish to be that brave. That man is amazing alot of them are. But I couldn’t ever imagine being in their shoes. I even think about being a firefighter that day & Hearing what possibly has happened. I know for sure I couldn’t of stepped foot in that building. & I know many other firefighters did the same. But them Heroes who went up to save ppl knowing they were gonna die. UNREAL
My absolute hero ❤️ what a true gentleman and guardian angel of all who couldn't make it. Orio is a legend for all the right reasons. Its people like him who should be canonised as saints. He was nothing short of amazing and his family must be so very devastated. I believe his wife is with him now. I felt for her and the children so much as a mother myself and its him who always stands out to me encapsulating the bravery of so many in 9/11
I'm in England and I am sickened by the terrorism our countries have endured with so many innocent people hurt.
He was a hero amongst the others who helped a lady get out with the wheelchair. I cannot express my gratitude that they were saved. So sorry for those who lost their lives. They were heroes too 😢💔
This still hurts 22 years tomorrow. You have not been forgotten. I was 35 when this happened and dropped to my knees in disbelief. I can't imagine having to make a decision like all our brave people did. I pray for all the family and friends of the lost. 💔💔🙏🙏🙏
There is another video capturing people on the street. A young man is calling his mom to let her know he was okay and not at work. He explained that he stayed up to watch the over time game Monday Night Football, overslept for work and was very late. He said incredulously: "Monday Night Football saved my life!"
I remember that story they interviewed him
For the past 5 years, I have been coming to UA-cam to watch 9/11 videos. I traumatize myself every single time. But still I come and watch again. Watching footage as the 2nd plane hit that morning still makes me say "Oh my God..." and scares me as if I'm watching it for the first time. I will never forget. 💗 🙏💗🙏
I do too. I was 17 when this happen. But I find myself every so often binge watching these videos.
Same! I was 9 months old on that terrible day and I watch in horror every time I watch videos from that terrible day
my mom is the same way. She’s 39 im 21 and we was watching these videos today
Same, but researching what truly happened that day.
@@corrynthiaiam9205 me too
I was born in August 2005 but I feel like the surviors stories are so moving and powerful. No one could've ever thought something of this magnitude would ever happen. Tomorrow will mark 23 years at the time I'm writing this (Tues, 9/10/24)
You saved that disabled woman. Heros.
It’s noticeable that everyone remembers that the forecast was amazing that day. And then our world changed forever. It’s like being on the eye of a cyclone.
I admire the survivors like John that can tell us with so much detail their horrendous experiences. My blessings and thoughts for those who aren’t here anymore
thefts?
If you go through something like this together, you probably have a bond that lasts a lifetime.
I heard a tower one survivor state that 9/11 is the first thing he remembers every morning and, the last thing he thinks about before he goes to bed every night. Some may think that he may need help or, should be seeking help for this but, I know that there’s nothing that will ever make the memories of that horrible day go away. The majority of us who was there or, were working in the ground zero area that day, knows the effects that day had on our memories. It has now been twenty one years and, to me and, many others, it seems like it happened a few weeks ago. I had medical treatment for my trauma, group therapy and, meetings with my church Priest but, the memories of that day will always be with me and, others who were there.
Bless all of those who were able to get away from the towers and, ground zero. Always remember that despite what others may say, think and, believe, there are many of us who are not capable of hiding from our memories.❤
The morning and night thing makes sense.
That was John Dittmar a senior employee with CNA Insurance out of Chicago. He and a group of his colleagues were at a meeting in the South Tower's 105th flr when the 1st plane hit the North.
He and his group were going down the stairs trying to evacuate and had reached the 74th floor when the 2nd plane hit the South.
The plane hit btwn the 77 and 82 floor.
He was on a business trip with 53 others. Only 7 survived.
He and the few surviving coworkers had made it 8 blocks when the tower they were in collapsed. He says the screams of all the people that witnessed that are the first thing he hears each morning and the last thing he hears at night.
That gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. I can not fathom the terror of the trapped people or the rescue units went through. 😢
@@charomejia-gm4yx god bless him. Many people who've never experienced severe trauma of any kind don't fully understand how it lives with you for years after. It never heals, not really; the only thing that helps, other than love & support and possibly therapy & medication, is time. But it never heals completely.
His story about his Mother touches my ♥️ may God bless her 🙏 & you all of your family 🙏❣️
The memory of the first responders is sacred.
I was in elementary school on September 11 2001 and I still to this day feel the impact of this day
I was 11 years old, watching live footage in Georgia (country). I ran outside to my mom, I didn’t know what I was supposed to tell her. I just said something like ‘something terrible’s happened in America mom, they’re shutting the whole country down’. Sounds so weird now. I don’t even know why I said that, or why I understood it that way, I must’ve been confused and didn’t know what I was looking at, but I knew it was beyond devastating. I’ll never forget. I won a scholarship 6 years later and started my exchange year in the US as a senior in high school. It had been the only dream I’d ever had in life. Seeing the New York City skyline for the first time with the famous twin towers missing, was eerie to say the least. I’d seen so many photos and they’d been like symbols of NYC for me.
I was 12 and I remember asking my mom that night if we’re going to be taken captive by the other country. It really felt like America had no protection that night.
I was 34 years old.
I had a 3-and-a-half-year-old and a barely 2-year-old.
I live in New England but grew up in New Jersey about 40 minutes outside the City.
I have not and I will not go to the Memorial Area. I can't do it, emotionally.
Several days after 9/11, I noticed my 2-year-old had dark circles under his eyes.
I put them to bed one night but checked on the lighting from the base of the stairs. I saw light coming from my 2-year-old's room.
I went up the stairs and opened his door. The overhead light was on, and he was wide awake 2 hours after bedtime.
He told me he couldn't sleep because he was so sad for the thousands of people who died.
Then he told me he felt really sad for their families who would never see them again.
We had a somber talk and he was able to sleep.
That's when I knew I had an extremely empathetic child. He cares SO MUCH ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE IT HURTS HIM.
He's now nearly 25 years old. He has found some ways to deal with it but he remains sensitive to others. He is a blessing to our family and to others.
Bs, your child didn’t act that way at 2.
I remember this day so vividly. My brothers and I were being homeschooled at the time. My mother called us from work and told us to turn on the TV. We watched the second plane hit, the towers fall, and hearing about the pentagon and flight 93. To this day I watch documentaries on 9/11. I think it is very important to keep it alive. For the victims and their families. It is painful and it hurts my heart every time I watch it but it shows how fragile life is and how important it is to love those around you because you never now when they may leave you unexpectedly.
This man put thoughts and feelings into words that made the whole experience very relatable. Of all the 9/11 documentaries I've watched, I don't think any of them made me feel the feelings like this one did.
It’s surreal that they have him on camera during the actual event…
Incredible really. I had to go back a couple of times to see why they highlighted that man running before I realized that was the narrator of this story. They must of looked through a lot of footage to find some where he appears.
How is it surreal? There were cameras everywhere that day. The odds you'd make it into a few frames are pretty good.
He was fast as hell too
@@scoon2117his boss was even faster. He was the other guy in the blue shirt who darted by right before he did. Both of them helped that lady down.
@@FemmeFatalV indeed
I think what a lot of younger people just don't understand what this did to everyone and the full scope of the fallout. There was life pre- 9/11 and then there was this. The economy, safety, innocence, just everything was gone in less than a blink of an eye. I don't even know anyone that was killed that day, or even know someone that knew someone but it devastated me all the same.
I agree, Valerie. I was trying to tell my teenage nephew a little about it, and I started by trying to explain how iconic the Twin Towers were and how much they meant to NYC, the U.S., and in some ways, the world. He was nodding, and I knew he understood me with his mind, but he could never feel it in his gut. Anyone over a certain age on 9/11 can just say to another, “Man, when the first tower came down …” and the other person just gets it. A symbol was ripped out of our lives that day, along with almost 3,000 innocent souls.
@@Banichi04 yeah I was pregnant with twins that day and my husband was working at an airport and my oldest was in school. They both were on lockdown and I was unable to get to either of them. That fear almost sent me into preterm labor and that is what is so hard to convey. That absolute fear and desperation.
It was the beginning of a silent war
I think in a sense, the pandemic is their generation's 9/11 - in the sense of losing the economy, safely, innocence, as you said, just in a completely different way.
@@valerieschoettmer9736 20-something years on, I'd almost forgotten what it was like during those hours when information and rumors were all over the place. At the time, the word was that there were still planes in the sky that had been hijacked, and thank god that ultimately turned out to be untrue. But the waiting was a nightmare - that waiting when you had absolutely no idea if another plane was going to fall out of the sky at any moment, anywhere at all, and destroy something else, was terrifying. Like you said, the fear and desperation we felt then was like nothing we'd ever experienced, and it is difficult to explain it to someone who's never been through it. (It's just as difficult as explaining the eerie sensations of - what, fear? Dread? Nausea? Uneasiness? - that we also felt the first time you saw a plane flying in the sky again once air traffic resumed across the country.)
This was such a riveting interview. I felt all of his words. True inspirations comes from those who put their life on the line and I am in awe of everyone who selflessly acts on saving the life of another. I try to aim to such stature.
We must interview these survivors. This is history that must never be forgotten.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I am from the UK and I still remember and feel that day for everyone. I will never forget and always care about our USA brothers
That’s so very sweet and kind of you thank you
So many of us in the U.S. love and care about you as well-our most special ally, the U.K.! 🇺🇸🇬🇧
@@Banichi04 Thank you for your kind words ❤
These interviews are so vital. It is so deeply moving to hear their words of wisdom after surviving the unthinkable. Yes, love and relationships are the most important thing.
After 22 yrs. I still can't wrap my head around horrific event. Even as this gentleman tells his own experience of that day. I'm glad he has been able to live his life even though it change him to a become the person he is today. I'm sad by all those who took their lives and weren't able to escape. I believe this was a warning to all here in the US that we can't control vour destiny. But we can make choices to improve our self and try to live with purpose and help those around us who need our help!!
Well spoken account of one of, if not the most historical days in our lives. Great listen. Never forget.
The world changed that day for sure. I worked for the same company as Mike and John. While I was in the home office in Randolph, MA we all watched in horror at the events that occured that day. One of my co-workers was on the phone with the office when the 1st plane hit and she started crying, we knew something was wrong, then we were all on the web glued to our computers watching everything unfold. While we were all in shock, I can't imagine what it was like to be there, the horror. Two of the planes took off from Logan Airport and my roomates husband would have normally been on the flight to LA, but his boss and family went instead, including his very young daughter. So many lives lost and a country united in tragedy....it is sad at the state of our country now. #neverforget
Thank you for sharing some of the ways this horrific event has marked you and your proximity to those who were lost that day. I think for many of us who remember that day, whether we admit it or not, there’s life before 9/11, and life after. The world did change that day.
@@andrew5184 very true indeed
Thank you for acknowledging that. Many people were helping those who needed help. Race, creed and or, color wasn’t a factor on that day. That was a day of helping those who were in need.
I believe I’m familiar with this story. Were they the couple with the two year old daughter. The father was speaking to their son-Peter when he heard him say, “Oh My God”. His mother had turned the television on just before the second plane-Flight 175 hit the second tower. Sorry for your lost and, May they all R.I.P.
John's story is amazing, as are all these others I am seeing her online. I keep imagining myself in their shoes and I'm not sure if I would have made it out myself. I have not been to New York City and thus have not visited the memorial. It is on my bucket list though. I did visit the Flight 93 memorial here in Pennsylvania and it was an eye opening experience. My prayers go to all of these people affected as I'm sure many still struggle with the thoughts of the events of that day.
In an age of decadence, 911 serves to remind us all that life is precious and we should care for one another and society more.
😢 This is still so raw when you watch these videos😢
Watching in 2024
Never forget 😢
I thought we were 'finished'......
I was working out with a friend in an outdoor weight "room" and we just finished and walked into to the main gym to see smoke rising from the first tower on a TV-thinking it was a story on how real computers make things look..until the second plane hit. Anyway, my (then) best friend who had worked as an elevator mechanic for years in the complex had been there and helped rescue people from the roof in 1993 was also there in 2001. He's scarred physically from breathing the air during the clean up and psychology from-well, the obvious. I used to be a professional pyrotech and he would come to some of my shows to watch me work-after September 11th he was never able to be close to any kind of explosions. I'm glad you made it out safely. and I understand your "need" to watch this type of footage-I just don't understand why-we do. Best to you.
Every year I see new videos from this horrific day. This is one of them. It's been almost 22 years and it STILL feels like this happened last year...or maybe 2 years ago. Still recall everything so vividly...although it felt like a dreamstate. 8:24, I was on the phone with my mom and had Peter Jennings on as the South Tower came down. My mom was wondering what happened and just said "I don't see it anymore..holy sh*t, the tower collapsed!" It just didn't seem possible, imaginable at the time. Still recall ABC's Jennings reaction of horror, and being speechless - "We're talking massive casualties...and ...[long pause] .....[whew]..." There were small little miracles that morning, Giants going into OT the night before...many headed into work a little later than usual because the game ran so late. Some went in later because they went to vote first, NYC Primary election. If this attack started 30-60 minutes later...1000's more would have been in these towers. Still, never forget those who perished that day - in NYC, The Pentagon and all on the planes, the absolute hell terror that they felt stuck in the buildings / planes. Just horrific.
Regardless of what ppl think about 911....have some respect for the people who died just going to work....just feeding their families....or working to help Americans continue to have what we have...so many businesses were in those buildings. Our whole financial institution and infrastructure was being worked on and held together by those people. Our bank accounts....stock market investments we've made...our whole daily way of life was being taken care of by those buildings. So however you feel....for whatever reason....if your living here....you have roof over your head.....food in your house.....a job....and a means to make your family strive.....shut up and don't forget those ppl died that day just so they could help us.
Exactly
Never looked into 9/11 much idk why ? Here I am 22yrs old learning more and my heart is broken for anyone who had to suffer the consequences of these evil people that day even if they weren’t in. The building or helping out I cannot even imagine the pain
They were little Eichmanns greasing the wheels of the American Empire of greed and destruction.
God kept this gentleman to be a living testimony to tell the truth of 911. He is blessed by God as he lives to tell his story.
but god said fuck all those other 2500 other people though, i guess
In an indescribable way I’ve never been so proud to be an American and that has never left me from that day forward. Even through all the sadness, horror and fear, I have never seen New York and this country unite and love one another than I had on that day,weeks and months following. I believe in us as people that we are capable of so much more than we give. Whether that be to your community, your friends, family, co-workers etc. Why do we need to be faced with tragedy and suffering in order to love, care and respect one another. I believe in “Us” as individuals, in “Us as a community, city, state, country and world. We hold the power to changing this world, our lives and the people around us. I wake up every day wondering what my purpose here is, how can I contribute anything to put love back into this world? I can start with the people that I’m surrounded by. We forget the value of people and how to treat people until we’re faced with losing them in any kind of way. I’m guilty of this myself, I wake up every day trying to be a better person than I was the day before. I sometimes fail miserably and fall short more than I’d like to admit. I believe in everyone except myself but I hope to change that. Changing this world starts with changing yourself and loving yourself. I don’t believe you can’t love someone unless you love yourself first. What started out as a comment regarding September 11th has turned into a form of soul searching but sometimes that’s painfully necessary to make changes that start with you.
I live all you have said. Your a kind person. I have had people smile or say hello and it has made my day. I accidently cut in front of someone in a parking lot and she just smiled big and waved at me. I decided to start doing that. It has been many years and having that attitude has helped. Complimenting someone's smile , outfit or something can make someone's day. Just last week my 12 year old Granddaughter smiled a woman at the gas station. She came up to us to say she made her day.
@@robbiemarcum8878 that’s how we change the world, by starting with ourselves. Look at the difference in waving someone on opposed to cursing them out. You’ll be a positive role model in your granddaughter’s life. A few days ago I had a random person do something really crappy that will affect my life in a negative way. These experiences with people make me lose hope. Thanks for your response, be well
@mcal3602 I have been there on someone doing something that will change my life too. It affected my children too, so it was hard to deal with. I'm trying to use life as a way to be able to understand what others go through and let them know I understand. I for sure have had my mad and crying times. I hope you know your comment really helped me. Thank you. You are still a great person that cares about others. That is powerful.
@@robbiemarcum8878 thank you so much for your response. It gives me hope that most people are just people like myself trying to get through the day and life. If my comment touched one person or made someone feel like they’re not alone in a world of problems then it was worth it. My life has been falling apart the past 2 years and I’ve been searching for a deeper meaning to life. There has to be more to it then this. The good thing about hard times is it brings you On sort of a spiritual journey and healing. In order to get to that place a whole lot of pain has to surface. I hope you find your place of healing and peace. It’s beyond nice to see someone respond with a positive comment opposed to the negativity and outright meanness of people. Keep your head up, your journey’s not over. Your story has yet to be told.
@@robbiemarcum8878 we also have to keep in mind that life is about learning a lesson. I do believe we will keep reliving the same crappy day over and over until we learn from our mistakes. Kind of like groundhog’s day lol. I tell my husband that, until God, karma, the universe or whatever you want to call it, {we’re all talking about the same thing} feels that we genuinely learned our lesson than nothing will change. I also believe that we’ll keep getting sent back here until we get it right for whatever our purpose is but who knows.
I dont have many memories when 10 years old but i remember that day. Watching that second plane going in the tower live on the news was surreal.
Side note. John is rather gorgeous
I was just thinking the same. Also well spoken.
Lucky guy
Right?
What a hero. He carried the disabled woman down 68 floors. Amazing human
Your stories are incredibly important for everyone even though it's all difficult to see and hear about. Thank you for telling us. I hope you are able to live a good life despite this horrific tragedy.
Well said, I love the comment of divinity’s presence. He and his boss are also surely heroes for rescuing not only the handicapped woman, but thereby galvanizing the remaining staff to take action to leave.
Yes, you are right! They were going to die either way. Burning alive would have been an unbelievably painful way to go!
You and Tina, and your boss are so lucky to be alive.❤ Rip all the people who died that awful day. God bless yall.
Sir, I pray that you are doing well in 2023. Thank you for sharing your experience. 🥀🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing. What a great message of love and hope. We are with you. Love from CO.🙏❤️
Intensely inspiring. Always Remember. God Bless our Heroes and their families. Make SURE the survivors get 1000% great medical care. They have lost too much already.
This was an extremely well produced film. Really good chap, too.
The ones responsible knew exactly the everlasting trauma that this attack would have…This will forever be shocking no matter how many times I revisit these videos
And we responded exactly the way they wanted us to!
i'll never forget the day after 9/11 I was in 5th grade in the school yard and nobody was playing... everyone was talking about what just happened and half of us were looking at the sky in fear of planes
Those people who perished on that warm sunny September day especially those who had a near impossible choice to make!
this man is inspiring how he did the right things. calling his father, helping a lady get down, relationship with boss. like seems like he was doing all the right things.
Thank you for the film, in honor and memory of all the victims and those who risked their lives trying to save. Greetings from Poland 🇵🇱
GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY BFF WENT TO HEAVEN ON THE 83RD FLOOR SOUTH TOWER, AND MY BFF NUC FIREMAN GOT BACK --- LOVE YOU TRULY KNOW THE LORD IS WITH US!
love you John, same name as my Dad, happy you're okay so so sorry for having to go through that thanks for sharing, I was just a kid when it happened but remember watching it on tv
As someone who wasn't born when this occurred. I will never forget an event that happened prior to my existence. I think technology and cameras at the time and also eye-witnesses events allow you to so vidly connect to that day. I force myself to emphasize with the people who struggled and died and what that would have been like as a way of showing my sympathy to those lost.
Although i was not alive the day this occurred i vidly remember the time i first found out this happened.
I had a 3DS (no phone) about maybe at like 10 years old and I stumbled across a documentary on youtube and just remember how insane the whole thing was and how much I cried seeing the events of that day.
Sorry to be so superficial amidst a very grave topic but were this man seeking an acting career I think casting agents should take note. He is most handsome and charismatic and faintly reminds me of Montgomery Clift. I love the way he focuses on the heroes of this disaster rather than just his own harrowing escape. I hope he is doing well and did not get any serious lung conditions from the debris and smoke. This was an excellent presentation.
I feel so compelled to understand better what they all went through, what it was like, and what it must have felt like to go through such a horrible thing
I learned at a very young age that you always vacate a burning building.
The 2001 firefighters somehow make other people look small and weak, especially now in 2023. Divine hero’s - an example to others. No one is worthy to walk in their footsteps .
Beautifully, deeply, and soulfully stated from John Cerqueira. Thank you for this.
Beautiful Testimony
Thank you for sharing your story and keeping memory alive of those we lost and those who endured and survived. We will never forget. May you be blessed ❤
I'm not American, I'm so sorry to the losses every American felt that day. We felt that, we really did. My father remembers watching it on TV at around teatime (I was too young to remember it), the shock that came as the events progressed and worsened. The brave first responders, running up those stairs as everyone went down, those bodies falling from the sky. As though hell had come to earth.
Everybody who gave their lives to save others are angels.
God bless you all.
I went last year of 2023 on the month of February. I enjoyed New York and seeing the 9/11 Memorial… it made me speechless and so overwhelmed. I can’t shake this feeling off ever since. It has made me so depressed from the hours of 8:46am through 9:03am😢😢😢😢😢 but I was only 11 years old to fully understand and I didn’t know that 4 airplanes where used to terrorize us.😢😢😢😢😢
11minutes- I am so thankful for this videographer and others like them. Amazing footage. Just insane.
This shouldn't ever be forgotten! What ever your thoughts on why it happened! God Bless all involved 🙏
Everytime i watch something about 9/11...i put myself in the tragedy as if i was there
As one of the survivors as Mr. John Cerqueira commented that it was a beautiful sunny morning no cloud, clear blue sky.
RIP to ones that lost their Lives . I was 24 yrs old at the time, my friend worked on the 36th floor ... I tried calling him at house in the city to see if he worked that day but the phones were dead . so i ended up taking the train to the city but they blocked off anyone going down below canal street ...few days after I ended up working with a cleaning company a friend of mines owned and we cleaned for 2 months...it was bad I would get headaches everyday on the train ride back home...I ended up getting asthma too
Thank you and God bless you
Thank you. That’s truly remarkable.
Binging 9/11 documentary videos again..
this is so sad, rest in peace to all who suffered from this tragic event. It’s truly still jaw dropping to watch.
Such a nice man.
I will never forget, Thank You John
This was an incredible interview. Thank you!
His insight is inspiring!
The thing that blows my mind about 9/11 is no matter how many stories you hear you can’t imagine what it would feel like to be trapped in that building watching walls collapse and fire.. smh
Excellent. Really well done. Thank you.
I was SO comforted by the voice of Katy Kourik ..... OMG :(
Beautiful message!
stunningly good looking man
Great interview and the perspective is life changing as he says
Survivor interviews from are remarkable and of history and how tragic that day was
Everyone who is old enough remembers two things. Where they were when Kennedy was shot and where they were when the towers were hit. Not many people were a part of those history making days. Not many lived through what you did that day and helped a stranger with disabilities escape the terror that befell all of those who were in that tower when it was hit. It is one thing to remember where you were and being there when it happened. Your firsthand experienced that day shaped your life to the point you are now wanting to give back to your community by running for a city council position. Thank you for the bravery you displayed that day 23 years ago and your willingness to go give back to your community, by running for City Council.
Wow he seems so calm
@catherinesinclair7727
20 plus years of reflection will do that
Bless you and keep you! May you find ways to give back for your good fortune ❤️
He's so lucky he made it out! Just watched another interview of a guy that was in the second tower that survived.
Thanks for sharing! Bless you!
There is no way to forget this nightmare anymore than my parents could forget Pearl Harbor.
That was a horrible day as well
yOU WOULD THINK PEOPLE WOULD LOVE EACH OTHER AFTER THAT.