five years ago today

Ninety-five percent of Americans remember where they were when they first learned of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

I do. Waking up shortly after 6 AM, I did my usual morning routine of checking e-mails and making a latte. And there it was at the top of my in box with the subject line CNN BREAKING NEWS. My heart raced as the message sunk in.

We all know the rest of the story.

Last night I watched the updated version of the documentary 9/11 on CBS. Made by French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, along with James Hanlon, the commercial free program was narrated by Robert De Niro.

It's honest and it's moving. And it made me wonder why I've stayed away from Ground Zero.

I've been to New York City a number of times since 9/11, but have yet to visit the 16-acre site.

The closest I've come is walking by New York City Fire Department Engine Company #33 at 44 Great Jones Street in the East Village. Located between Lafayette and Bowery Streets, it's housed in a 1898 Beaux Arts style building designed by Ernest Flagg & WB Chambers.

Above is a photo that I took while visiting my son this past summer.

And here's an obituary of one of the six firefighters of Engine Company #33 who perished as a result of the 9/11 attacks:

Robert Evans

Robert "Bobby" Evans of Battalion 6, Engine Co. 33, (located at 44 Great Jones Street in the East Village of Manhattan) died at the World Trade Center in the line of duty at age 36. The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 9:50 AM, as a result of injuries sustained while operating at Manhattan Box 8087.

He was from Franklin Square, Long Island, New York. As a hobby, he enjoyed cooking, and is survived by his sister Jeanne, and his mother Christina Serafin.

He was born in Mineola, Long Island in 1965, and attended Public School 33 in Queens Village.

In 1983 he graduated from H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square at age 18. His yearbook photo was notable for his exceptional smile, and he was remembered by a classmate as being friendly, happy, and adventurous.

At age 21 he boxed in the Golden Gloves and was voted "boxer of the night" by the NY Daily News in 1986.

He joined the FDNY in 1994 at age 29, and in 2001 he was among six firefighters from Engine 33 who lost their lives in the terrorist attack of September 11th.

His memorial service was held at St. Catherine's of Sienna, a Catholic church on New Hyde Park road in Franklin Square.

I didn't know this young firefighter.

But the next time I visit my son, I'll make a pilgrimage to Ground Zero and the new Tribute WTC Visitor Center that opens to the public next week.

And I'll say a prayer for Bobby Evans.


Copyright © 2006 Sue Frause. All rights reserved.