THE EDITORIAL STAFF ESSAY FROM THE AQUIDNECK INQUIRER OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2001
A week after the terror attacks on 9/11/01, we published the third edition of the Aquidneck Inquirer, and it included an Essay entitled
“On Manhattan – from a friend”
in memory of the events of that day, and all who were lost in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, and the families of those who died.
This republication is especially dedicated to the children born after their parents died on 9-11 and who will never meet those parents and to the surviving parents who are raising those children.
ESSAY
On Manhattan – from a friend
There is something special about an island.
I fell in love with the island of Manhattan the first time I ever visited. I was about 9 or 10, and my parents had moved from upstate New York to Pennsylvania. One day, my father said, “Son, we’re going to go over to New York – so you can see it – we’ll go on Saturday.”
We did. We drove up the Jersey Turnpike – through the Holland Tunnel – I was immediately struck by the Dutch influence – the Tunnel set the tone.
I guess we parked near Rockefeller Center.
And we walked all over – me and my mom and dad. My father, who is gone now, loved the place, and told me of when he had been there when he was younger. He was a Southerner from a comparatively small city, but he loved Manhattan. He loved to be walking on the street – not in a limousine or cab – but where you could see what was happening. I would later, for a while, lose some of that view and dabble, for a while, with limos. But now, so many years later, I see that he was right all along.
We went into 30 Rock – that was the building. It was, and is, to me the most graceful structure on the outside I have seen in person. The lobby murals – the floors - hit me and still do every time.
And, of course, I thought it was fantastic that the National Broadcasting Company was right in there. We took the NBC tour that day, and went up to the roof.
Even on that first visit, I was confronted by the danger that could erupt unforeseen in Manhattan – there was a shooting that day – rounds fired – on the street we were on, in what may have been an attempt to knock over a jewelry store, on 51st Street near the “NBC Studios” marquee. I have a home movie – somewhat jumpy – when the shots were fired. Needless, to say, my mother, now gone too, was not thrilled.
I remember 5th Avenue from that day. And, getting my father to spring for a soda under the watching guise of Prometheus ------ he always said I had the “champagne taste with the beer pocketbook.” He was right about that too.
Later, still in elementary school, I lucked out winning a spelling bee by getting “Manhattan” right. Looking back now, it is ironic that it was knowing that there were twin “t’s” that provided my victory.
So, from the first minute – with my family – with some danger – but, with a feeling of joy from being there, I loved Manhattan.
I ended up going to school there to learn the law on Morningside Heights.
I took my first bar exam there in the old Commodore Hotel.
I worked at my first job there at 5th and 44th, and still work there.
I served as a deacon in a church there on 55th Street.
I met my wife to be there at friends’ on West 75th Street.
I have enjoyed some absolutely wonderful and triumphant times there and have endured some excruciating and dreadful times there.
But, it remains my favorite place.
Perhaps it is overstating it as one said, “When you leave Manhattan, you’re out of town”. But, the place is an integral part of my life and the lives of many in my family.
Decades of exposure convince me that the people there are truly friendly and helpful and decent.
Now, in the past week, we have seen that island and its people – who live and work and visit and play and just pass through – desecrated by entities which are devoid of humanity and conceived by evil.
I have watched and wished I was there now to help.
But, I understand that the people and the island will resurrect and rebuild.
Those who are lost are in God’s care.
Those who have risked all to save others are in our perpetual debt.
We gird ourselves now. As the 10 year old and now decades later, I would have never thought we would ever actually witness the unveiled visage of evil that exposed itself last week – no human could have imagined it.
So, perhaps, we are all islanders now – ready to preserve, protect and defend our peoples, our freedoms and our lands.
But, to do so we shall have to venture far from home – put ourselves further at risk – and fight until the evil is driven out.
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