I wrote this blog 6 years ago… A number of readers have asked me to share my recollection of 9/11.
That wasn’t something people just assumed back then.
But that innocence was about to be taken.
We all knew we were under attack.
I did not see the second plane hit because I never left the desk.
I say “monster” because Ric had a reputation for being brutal to his clerks.
The floor was a world all to itself, and corporate decorum or harassment rules did not apply there.
The hazing was constant, and, as a result, people actually got good at their jobs.
- It is not right for most kids graduating from college today.
Next year we will be married for 26 years with 3 beautifully expensive kids.
Windows was the restaurant at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Annie and I had gone to these breakfasts often.
One of those guys, Bob Twomey, was Annie’s uncle.
He was married to Ric’s sister.
Uncle Bob was my favorite guy in the business and a guy that I enjoyed immensely.
He was my favorite in-law.
We lived in Brooklyn, we were both making pretty good dough, and we were very VERY happy.
Tuesday morning, she decided to skip breakfast.
Instead, we drove into Manhattan together.
I dropped her off at the NYSE, and then I went up to my office.
This goes back to why I was still at my desk even after CITI evacuated 390 Greenwich St.
The only other person on the trading floor after the evacuation was the douchebag who ran equities back then.
Through dedicated wires CITI had to the NYSE, I was able to talk to her directly.
We agreed to meet at the Downtown Athletic Club.
She should’ve been hysterical because she knew what was potentially happening, but she wasn’t.
She is just a tough-ass bitch.
It was the most scared I have ever been.
It was only then, that I turned around.
When I turned, the Twin Towers lost a twin, and I was absolutely dumbfounded.
Then the North Tower fell at 10: 28 AM… 102 minutes after being struck by Flight 11.
I started running again.
This time I ran east.
I got across the Manhattan Bridge and we eventually met up on the other side.
Not sure why I mentioned that, but I didn’t remember it until just now…
It was a perfect day until it wasn’t.
Annie went on FOX and told her story.
I kind of felt like a fat Jesus.
It was a gentleman named Jules Roinnel.
Jules was the director of Windows On The World.
Jules and I were close from when I worked for Ric.
He called to tell me that the opposite was true and that everyone above the blast was killed.
Jules essentially was the first to bring us back to reality.
My wife and her mom went to the medical examiner’s office and got swabbed…
It took over 9 months, but they did find enough for us to cremate.
I don’t know if any of those stories were true, and I really don’t care.
My wife and I would never judge the character of many by the actions of a few.
But we did have a deep-seated hatred for Osama Bin Laden and the terrorist organizations he was linked to.
Therefore, he is a real hero to me, and more importantly, to Annie.
I say this again- I only wrote this account because many readers have asked me to share the story.
It does not differ from stories you have probably read before.
But I will tell you honestly that I fucking HATE the anniversary of 9/11.
And they would just look like 2 giant middle fingers pointing right at the Middle East.
Rest in peace, Ric.
This blog gets a little more dated as time goes on.
And I don’t think I need to say this, but I will nonetheless… Have a great day, everyone, and thank you (sincerely) for all the love.
