These were the last thirty-three days that New York City was the Capitol of the World. The horrific memories of being a first responder, I was in the basement mall of the South Tower when the first plane hit the North Tower. While I was picking up pictures of my kids and a cup of coffee on my way to work down the block on Maiden Lane, I heard what sounded like a missile and then an explosion, and more explosions nearby.

You want to say I now I have PTSD, (Post Terror Survival Devotee) because occasionally the sound of low flying aircraft (I live a couple of miles from McGuire AFB) and also loud fireworks make me a little jumpy. The memories haunt me in the wee hours of the night sometimes yelling and sweating. But I’m lucky.

Just a few short weeks ago, three of the many firefighters I knew from the FDNY had their funerals on the same weekend. They died heroes from the complications of illnesses caused by being heroes, forgotten by the city they gave their lives for.

As you’re sure to recall, because the press had a huge field day with it, when Trump had said 7/1/1 instead of “meaning” 9/1/1. The “gaffe” made it seem to them like Donald Trump was referring to the convenience store. He said, “our police and our firemen down on 7/1/1,” he was using a phrase that is not commonly used by civilians or in the media, but that phrase is totally recognizable to any NYPD and FDNY member. It refers to Engine 7 and Ladder 1 in Battalion 1. It’s entirely possible that a guy in real-estate would be familiar with 7/1/1 which is declared a NYC landmark building.

Who were the guys at Battalion 1? They were the kind of guys that designed, created and sold their own custom FDNY 7/1/1 tee and sweat shirts for kids with the profits going to charity for less fortunate kids. I used to buy them for my kids at the 7/1/1 fire-house. At least 4 of those guys were killed that day. Almost all those guys are now sick or gone.

Another friend, Bob from that very same 7/1/1, who I hadn’t seen since that horrific day in September, he appeared out of nowhere + just about 6 months ago. He showed up at a supermarket here in South Jersey at the same time I was there. Bob is a big and tough guy but really sweet guy. All of Battalion 1 are or were tough but really sweet guys. That’s why they call them New York’s Bravest. Engine 7 and Ladder 1, Battalion 1 on Duane street. Been there since 1904.When I saw Bob and he saw me it was like, “You’re still alive!” We hugged each other and started laughing and crying at the same time. I’m lucky. I didn’t have to run up the stairs with a dead radio like he did. I just grabbed people running away and corralled them into safe spaces while the buildings collapsed. I didn’t have to dig through the smoldering crematorium like he did. I brought a respirator to work for the two weeks that the city lied to us about the air quality and then suddenly told us not to report to work in Manhattan South because they made a mistake. But Bob looked pale. He’s really sick. His retirement pension was eaten up by his medical expenses for expensive, drastic and uncomfortable treatment. He had to sell his house and now lives in a trailer counting his days because the doctors tell him he doesn’t have much time. But his spirit remains as bright as it ever was. He delivers potato chips to make just a little more than to be qualified for Jersey Care and just about enough to pay his rent and buy gas. We see each other and play practical jokes on each other. He’s convinced that the call to 7/1/1 on the morning of 9/1/1 to a gas leak that never happened was planned to divert the company in the opposite direction to prevent them from getting to the Twin Towers first, as 7/1/1 was the closest firehouse to the World Trade Center. He also believes some other things. He was there.

The memories of 9/11 are more than just memories for hundreds of brave and forgotten heroes. They haunt the several thousand of families, friends and co-workers of loved ones. As for the FDNY, 343 FDNY heroes were killed on September 11, 2001.

Just about one month, to the day, before the attack, at Gracie Mansion, the Mayor gathered many Commissioners to celebrate the successes of the Capitol of the World. It was a great evening. Everything was good with NYC. Previously I removed the license plates from my car and saved them to give the Mayor token of appreciation for giving me the privilege to play a significant role in the city’s technology transition into the 21st century. One plate was from 1999 and the other was from 2000. It was tough enough to get the Dot Gov domain from the Feds for the NYC.GOV website domain name and almost as tough to get the letters GOV on the license plates. (“But sir, you’re not the Governor.”)

I present you with an ironic side bar to the 9/11 attack on the WTC. Look at the second plate on the bottom and take a look at the skyline.

Rudy, if you read this, I wish you the best of luck in battling the war on terrorism and making the entire USA the Capitol of the World. And to all the heroes and victims that are still with us, may God heal you and comfort you and grant you the peace you suffered for to all of us. Amen.

Ron Benvenisti
Business IT Risk Analyst
Integris Security LLC