Last night I finished reading We’re Not Leaving.
This book changed me.
This book changed the way I remember 9/11.
This book changed the way I want to respect and honor the responders to 9/11.
This book changed the way I understand post traumatic stress.
I am grateful to the oral histories contributed by responders that participate in the Long Island World Trade Center Medical Screening program.
I only watched television for a few hours on the morning of 9/11. Then for much of the next week my only news of the ongoing events was mostly through the radio and news magazines. In the months after 9/11 I remained fairly disconnected to media about the ongoing recovery of bodies and personal effects from the Pile. Again I am extremely grateful, in a new and more profound way, to the responders and all of the people that supported the immediate rescue and long term recovery efforts at the World Trade Center.
In two weeks I am visiting New York City and have already reserved tickets to visit the World Trade Center Memorial. My thoughts will be with the people that died on 9/11, the responders that have died since, and the friends and family of the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Even though it feels inadequate as I humbly type these words, thanks for your sacrifice.
Note: Last month I interviewed Dr. Benjamin Luft about We’re Not Leaving. Listen to our conversation.
