An American in Ireland: Never so far from home as on Sept. 11, 2001

JohnnyMac,

There's nothing I can say to you other than I'm sure you were far more frustrated than I was.

I remember speaking to my cousin in Ireland and she didn't understand why this had any effect on me being in Chicago....I had to explain that it was our country that was attacked not just New York, even though they took the biggest hit. I wonder if other countries view the US as fragmented as she did on that day?

Well, I've a similar story only a bit more frustrating. I was on holiday in Ireland on that famed date. A fireman from New York in Dublin 3000 miles away. I couldn't get through to anyone by phone, by internet - no way. Lunch time in Temple Bar area of Dublin, we all sat glued to the television and watched as the second plane hit. I said "My God, what is happening?" Then they came down. People around me had no concept of the true enormity of the catastrophic event they witnessed. I said "Do you have any idea how many people are in those buildings? Do you have any idea how many firefighters and emergency workers are in and around those buildings?" I could go on and on. Me, a fireman from New York was trapped in Dublin and could offer no help when that all I wanted to do.

I think its safe to say all of us took many things for granted before that day. It changed us and our world and how we relate to it. A truly sad and terrible day.