Together we stand

"I hoped it was an earthquake, but I knew I was in denial."

"When firefighters came in to rescue they were sweating profously and panting harshly. People in the stairwells were pouring their water bottles over their heads as they followed them up the staircases. As we followed these firefighters we became a part of them."

"The world goes black. I remember saying, "Just lay here, hold your breath, this will pass."

"The third floor staircase in the first tower stayed in place. We didn't know why, but it stayed in place to create a safety spot for the victims."

(I took this picture of what is now called "The Freedom Staircase" where victims were later found trapped, but alive thanks to this staircase).

"I lost my best friend that day, and the two officers that tried to repsond to him."

"The WTC was not just a place of employment-it was a home to everyone. It was a place of work, a place to socialize, and a place to buy birthday presents for your family and children."

"Many of them gave their lives so I could be here today, so I live my life to remember them."

"It will show those individuals who were repsonsible for this tradegy that we cannot be defeated. We remember our own, and we respect our own."

The previous qoutes were the most inspring and eye-opening qoutes I have read and listened to on television over the past 7 years. It wasn't until I visited the WTC site in December 2007, where I truly felt the sense of loss and tradegy. However at the same time, I saw signs of hope, love, and connection. The day we visited, the site workers had taken left over metal scrap and made a cross out of it. They hung it on the street for everyone to admire. I took the following picture, just seconds after they hung it

on the building.