09/11/2026
It’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since 9/11. I certainly will never forget that day.
I remember worrying every moment about my stepfather, who worked at Three World Financial Center, right next to the Twin Towers. Thankfully, he had checked in once and we knew he was okay. What we didn’t know until later was the incredibly scary and harrowing journey he had experienced that day.
He was still in his office when the first tower fell, staying behind with colleagues to make sure others in their building had gotten out first. Eventually, through the chaos and rubble, he made his way out of lower Manhattan. His brother picked him up by boat, along with several of his colleagues, and after a more than two-hour ride they finally made it back to Long Island.
I remember meeting him at the dock when they pulled in. Even after spending more than two hours moving quickly on a boat, fully exposed to the elements, there was still dust on his jacket.
My stepfather is someone with incredible vibrancy and energy. That night was probably the only time I ever remember seeing him so quiet and reflective. I can’t imagine what was going through his head as he came home to our family and sat down for dinner, knowing that so many others would not be coming home to their families that night.
We often talk about the extraordinary heroes of 9/11, and there are countless stories of profound courage and sacrifice from that day that we must never forget. But so many New Yorkers also have their own personal stories of heroes.
For me and my family, one of those heroes was my stepfather. He put others first that day, making sure they were safe before worrying about himself. And the next morning, after everything he had experienced, he got up and went right back to work, doing his part to help his colleagues and their company get back on its feet.
I was proud of him then, and 25 years later, I am incredibly proud to be able to tell his story. Not only do we have to make sure we never forget, we also have to continue to share these stories and educate those who were not alive for this moment, so that the lessons of that day carry forward.
