The Aftermath

Parking that day at One Police Plaza looked impossible. It seemed now that it was becoming a staging area, and officers were on every corner. Vehicles driven from the disaster zone with broken windows and debris were parked within the lot.

We drove a few blocks toward City Hall and parked next to the fence that enclosed the area. As soon as we stepped out of the vehicle, National Guard Troops approached us. We quickly took our badges out, and they gave us the head nod, allowing us to walk past.

All along the fenced area were papers from the Twin Towers, and most were partially burnt. I picked up one piece of paper with the edges all burned and put it in my jacket.