This is an editorial. The view's expressed are solely John Milovcic's.
September 10, 2001 I remember watching the New York Giants lost to the Denver Broncos 31- 20. I was a 23 year old, still enrolled at LIU- CW Post. I split my career between Geico in the morning and as a Mortgage Broker at night. I was able to squeeze an internship in my free time. Days were long, and the hours rough but I was my own man. I miss those day. Then it all changed.
I was on the M train running late to an internship. An internship most people would give anything for- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter at the World Trade Center. Thank god for a bad burritos making me sick. The walk from Essex St, Manhattan to Fresh Pond Rd Queens was the longest trek I’ve ever taken.
Before 10am, my life changed. All our lives changed. As the WTC laid smoldering, I was angry. I guess I’m still a little angry. The brothers stood proud in Lower New York. Growing up, every morning as I walked from my bedroom to the kitchen I saw those buildings.
My childhood home was a second story apartment on top of a hill. It was a 180 degree view of the New York skyline. It stretched from the Queensboro Bridge to the right, the Chrysler Building was a slight turn to the right, the Empire State Building next to it. The Twin Towers directly in front of me. On a clear day, I mean crystal clear day we could see the Statue of Liberty. I think that’s why my parents loved that house. As immigrants I think that’s why they loved that place.
The thing is 18 year passed and I’m not quite sure how I feel about the events that September morning. I was angry, however, as I sit back I and I see the truth- well my truth anyways. That building wasn’t built for people like me. It was but for the “elite” “Masters of their own World.” Thrones for people whom are not from here to bask.
Some people believe 911 was a Government Conspiracy. I do not. I’ve seen all the YouTube videos, the trick in Wingdings that looks likes like planes hitting buildings, the predictions by Nostrodomious. Truth is it was a a job finished from November of 1993. It made us understand the world is dangerous place.
The thing that really irritates me is simple. We boiled the entire events down to a slogan “Never Forget.” The thing I hope I won’t forget is how the city reacted. I remember walking down the street, days after the event, with cement and steel in the air and people, complete strangers asking me “how I was?” “Or was everyone ok?” I miss people actually giving a shit about others. I miss the actual the sense of community we had in New York City.
