by John Pietrunti
9/10/2020
It was the bluest sky I could recall seeing in quite a long time that morning as I rode the PATH train from Newark on the way to work in New York City. Little did I know that our lives would be forever changed 20 minutes later as I rode up the escalator at the World Trade Center.
I lost my brother that day, as well as friends, neighbors, schoolmates and co-workers with whom I shared laughs, tears and experiences over decades. Our collective heart was broken and our security was shaken. And it took some time, but we all eventually summoned our strength to face each day, to get back to work and life in defiance of what hate and fear wrought and to bring this country together to find our way back.
As we pause to remember what happened 19 years ago, may we once again summon the courage to bridge the divide that those who sell fear and hate have once again tried to impose on our nation. I sometimes think that where we are today is a result of that September day, as although the terrorists knocked down two buildings and killed thousands, the real goal was to sow fear and have it eat at us internally. We need to say this cannot and will not succeed. We best honor those who died by living with love in our hearts and demonstrate that united we not only stand but persevere.