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One Year Later page
A-K on this page
One Year Later Remembrances
Donald Anderson
London
London, September 11. Unable to attend the meeting, we watched the images on television. Unceasingly London stopped work; the family came home. When the towers fell, we thought we had lost many friends. The phone lines were broken, e-mails at first unanswered. Then a sense of community, of the significance of common values, of the importance of communication. NABE was much more than a professional organisation. It was a living organism.
Paul Bennett, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President
New York Stock Exchange
I had stopped at the NYSE before heading over to the second day of the NABE meeting. I stood on Broadway and watched the WTC collapse. Only later did I learn that NABE members had escaped, although some of the hotel staff had not. The air stank for weeks, and we learned of more and more friends and friends of friends lost. The Stock Exchange is now forced to consider additional and costly measures to protect itself. Face-to-face floor trading continues to roundly beat electronic trading in terms of lower cost and higher liquidity, but like all major market participants we are now having to focus time and resources on preventing terrorists from winning. But I am sure that is money well spent.
Bryan Bezold
St. Louis, Mo.
Since last September, I find myself more aware of my own mortality. I'm grateful for each moment and day. On good days this awareness is invigorating; I'm eager to make real accomplishments in my professional and personal lives. Other days I lack patience and am more easily frustrated by the daily hassles that are part of all our professional and personal lives. Since September, Life feels fleeting. I don't want to waste any of it.
Roger Bird
Washington, D.C.
My deepest feelings and remembrances are of the twin towers burning in the sunlight as the debris and bodies drifted down -- it was awful and surreal. I will never forget it. I still have occasional waking nightmares - and I still choke up when the cable news programs show the burning towers. Other memories do not repeat psychically, but in flashbacks when I think of the bravery of the fireman getting off the fireboats and bravely walking to their certain doom -- they knew it too, I have read since. (As an aside, Mayor Giuliani gets a lot of credit for his leadership, but are you aware that the poor management/leadership of the top brass was responsible for needless deaths among the firefighters? The security people knew at least 1/2 hour before the first tower collapsed that the "building is going to go" --direct quote. Yet the brass did not try to save the firefighters who could have gotten out in time!). My other thoughts and bitterness are of how our politicians are using the tragedy for their own political ends or re-election.
Lucie Blau
Economist, The Conference Board's "Consumer Research Center"
On 9/11, I was struck most by the basic goodness of New Yorkers, and their unwavering love affair with the Big Apple. I remain awed by the selflessness of the policeman who saved my life, then raced back into the unknown to save others; by the extraordinary sacrifices of our firefighters; by shopkeepers who offered us refuge amidst the chaos, and rescue workers who never gave up hope; by my tiny godson, who offered me his fire-engine as consolation. And who can ever forget Mayor Rudy, who inspired us all with his incredible courage and leadership?
Robert Thomas Crow
Editor, Business Economics
Visiting Scholar, Stanford University
I am less likely to get upset, now that I know how awful bad luck can really be. I am furious at those who prolong the cycle of hatred, wrath and violence that has consumed so many for so long and for so little gain. Central Park reminded me that no matter how awful life seems, beauty and love persist for those willing to find them: ducks, children, blue sky, and the friendship of strangers.
Robert J. Cuomo, Ph.D.
Principal, General Consulting Group, DRI-WEFA
I was particularly concerned when the building shook because my wife was on the fifteenth floor. She had recently gone through surgery and was not very mobile. I was almost frantic as I waited in the lobby for her to come down the stairs. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally appeared. We were virtually the last non-emergency personnel to leave the building. This experience made me realize the depth of our relationship and how one's fortunes can change instantaneously.
Richard DeKaser
Chief Economist, National City Corporation
I was doing a live radio interview by phone from Cleveland, interpreting business inventories, when the first plane hit. The intended dialog was naturally cut short, but not before being asked what to make of a plane hitting the WTC. With no facts to go by, and a vague familiarity of a previous plane crash into the Empire State Building, I said that it was probably a matter of pilot error with no larger significance.
John M. Godfrey
Florida Economic Associates
I realize that my survival had little to do with any personal heroics and that I survived for a reason, a haunting feeling. I now focus on living in a way that matters to my God, the one that led me to the "green pastures" as I vacated the area. Now it is up to me not let good opportunities pass by and to avoid slipping into self-pity. Flavel and I have returned to "ground zero." We wanted to see the horror we escaped from and to travel our escape routes in the comfort of each other. The March NABE meeting brought me together, for the first time, with the friends who shared the same experience. These were haunting feelings but healing.
Flavel Godfrey
Jacksonville, FL
Life, family, friends and clean air are more precious, since 9/11. I am focusing on these elements of my life today, not work or possessions. My naïve trust may have been damaged that day, yet my belief in God's plan for me is stronger. I shall always remember the people who lost their lives in NYC and Washington, and I thank God that today is the best day of my life.
Eric S. Graber
Vice President, NABE-National Capital Chapter
Eric Graber was on the PATH train escalator of the WTC on his way to the NABE meeting at the Marriott Hotel when the first aircraft struck the north tower on 9/11. He writes: "As a witness to the 9/11 tragedy at the WTC, I am mindful of recent blessings and more deliberative in my roles as a head of family, member of society and practicing economist. Being in the line of fire and surviving 9/11 may serve to inoculate each of us against despairing over recurrent horrors and the bleak condition of much of mankind. Let us choose our clients wisely and redouble efforts in service to them, our professions and God."
Diana Gregg
Senior Economic Reporter, BNA
When I heard the first jet hit, in my room at the Marriott, I thought that there was a benign explanation-- that it was the boom from a construction site blast. Now, it's the opposite: I hear thunder and think it's an explosion. There are no tall buildings in Washington but I can't help looking at planes. Especially when they're landing in a clear blue sky. The world is scarier but I enjoy each day.
Alan Harper
President, NY Association for Business Economics
My office was on the 82nd floor of the South Tower. When the second plane hit, I was in the subway directly underneath the WTC complex. That morning, I had planned to first stop by my office early and then attend the NABE breakfast meeting. Fate had it otherwise.
A few months later, I received an unexpected, and uplifting, telephone call. The caller was a school teacher, by the name of Virginia, who resided in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. The day after the attacks, Virginia found my business card in the street outside her home. The winds had carried it about seven miles from the WTC. She was glad that I was safe and would share this news with her school class. My wife and I later visited Virginia and her husband in Brooklyn. Many stories were told, and experiences exchanged, over pastries and coffee. Photos were taken of us holding the business card together. The card now adorns the wall of my study, a constant reminder of that fateful day, 9/11.
Robbie Hayes
Economic Analyst with the Michigan Department of Career Development, Current
Employment Survey Group
The anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the USA is upon us. On that fateful Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was among my friends/fellow NABE members at the CEO's breakfast meeting. The discussion around the table had been about the dot com bust prior to our speaker's taking the podium. The speech had progressed to its midpoint when all of a sudden there was a tremendous explosion, rocking the glass chandelier, shaking the glass ceiling tiles and causing all in the room to look toward the exits. The sound and fury was followed shortly by the alarms and hotel security pointed the way to leave the room and the building. Thus began a journey for me that started by foot down West Ave to Battery park. From there, I would spend the next eight hours traveling to the safety at a friend's home in Oakland, NJ. The trek would include a ride across the Hudson on a Police boat, NJ Transit buses from town to town and finished with a mile walk to my destination.
All this took place after a fateful encounter with a Sales executive from Compact who was in front of a shoe store by the South Basin at Battery park. He was looking up, along with my party (Gil Heebner and his wife) at people jumping from the burning north tower. Gil was without shoes and the man, without hesitation, opened his bag and got out an extra pair of shoes and socks and gave them to Gil. He said little, except that his crew was up on the 104th floor waiting for his return to prepare a sales presentation, when the plane struck the building. He said something then that would stick with me since, and occupied much of my thought on my journey that day: "When I get home I am going to church, then I am going to review my priorities". That is what I have done since that day. I finally came to grips with the reality of my mortality and dedicated my time, to the degree that my skills and abilities would allow, to pastoral care, elder care visitation and generally to the aid and comfort of those facing there last days alone.
Yes, there is more to the story, but the real impact of that day now lives in a rededication to spend time where it means the most, helping others and being with friends and family. I hope to see some of those friends again at the upcoming NABE annual meeting.
Gil Heebner
NABE President 1975-76
I am so thankful that I skipped the breakfast meeting on 9/11 to have breakfast in our room with my wife. Otherwise, we would have evacuated the hotel separately and have been desperately looking for each other on the streets. The 9/11 experience has urged me to live each day to the fullest, thanking God for the gift of life. Also, the heroism and compassion shown by many Americans has deepened my love of country.
Blake Hobbs
Travel/Meetings Consultant, Lake Wylie, SC
I am reminded daily in one way or another of that day in New York. I try not to boast about the fact that I was there, but find it is helpful to talk about it with others. Personally I have since, simplified my life and have gained a great respect for God's given gifts. I pray for those directly involved and that they find strength in their lives after such a devastating disaster. I am working much more than I want too. When I do travel, I am much more aware of my surroundings. Safety for those I work with is always at the top of my list. I am keeping myself busy. A lot of what I am doing is volunteer. I am now acting as a Youth Director with my church teaching, planning charitable events and community involvement. I hope that my involvement help youth learn how great their lives are and to respect what they have. Life is wonderful! I now drive an ambulance for the local Emergency Squad in hopes that my efforts will help those nearest me. While on the streets in New York, I wanted to help and even though of giving blood as I walked by the long lines at the hospitals. How much has my life changed since then, not much. What has changed is my outlook on life and others. My heart has grown a lot.
Jerry Idaszak
Associate Editor, Business Forecasting Group
Kiplinger Letter
I look at my kids more often and wonder what kind of world we're handing over to them. Since Sept. 11, gone is a sense of security. On top of that, the recession of 2001 and the relentless decline in the stock market wash away feelings of self-confidence. It's tougher, each day, to be an optimist. And yet, being a deep-down optimist is much of what it means to be an American.
Peter Jaquette
Manager, Economic Analysis, Weyerhaeuser Company
September 11 has affected my life in two sorts of ways. In terms of personal security and communications, I now try never to be without my car keys and cell phone. In terms of work/life balance, I try to keep in closer touch with family and friends, and try to remember what's really important in life versus what, in the long run, is not really important.
Elinda Fishman Kiss,
Associate Professor, Rutgers Univ. Business School
In the hotel I lost possessions (computer with all course notes & research papers; clothes), but along, with all NABE, members was alive. However, my previous sense of invulnerability was shattered. Many times I relived seeing the plane crash into WT2. But we became a friendlier nation, more concerned with our fellow citizens, although a bit less trusting. Strangers in NYC offered money and shoes to those without. After a controversial 2000 presidential election, we came together as a country, protective of our own.
David R. Kotok
Cumberland Advisors, Inc.
9/11 triggered spiritual questions for me. Why was I lucky; why were others not? Why was our meeting fortunate to be in plenary session on a ground floor? Leaving the Marriott I experience guidance; turning left instead of right, heading west then south to a car. We each made many and fast choices and all our members lived. Is this only coincidence? Perhaps but I think not. Can I explain the mystical or spiritual sensations? No. But I am certain they are there.
Bruce Kratofil
BJK Research, Cleveland Oh
I am reminded of how fortunate we actually were that day. My wife and daughter were in the relative safety of our hotel room, rather than having breakfast out on the plaza or down in the concourse, because they were having problems finding t when the Elizabeth Ann Seton shrine would be open. We found each other almost immediately because we exited from the same doors out of the hotel. After that, we made a series of correct decisions that got us off the island quickly and safely. The other thing I remember -- while we were escaping, how many firemen, policemen, EMS and Coast Guardsmen were heading the other way, into danger.
National Association for Business Economics
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