I was at my office, giving a new employee a "tour" of the office (where is the bathroom, fax machine, etc.). While we were by the sink in the "break room" one of my employees came downstairs from her office and said she had just heard that an airplane had run into one of the World Trade Center towers. In 2001 there was not the "on-line" availability we have now, so during the day, as different ones in the office heard something they would give us an update.
Incidentally, that new employee is still working for the CPA firm. Only, my CPA license is in "retired" status with the State of Florida. My son is now running the firm. But in today's world it is unusual for an employee to stay at the same job in a small (less than six people) office for 25 years. She has turn out to be a good employee. Clients seem to like her and she puts up with those who call because they do not want to pay the tax they owe.
In February, 2002, I had the privilege of doing "temporary Bethel Service" for a week. While there, even though I was working at Patterson there were people at Patterson who had been at the Brooklyn Bethel complex on 9/11, I talked with some Bethelites who had seen the people jumping out of the windows (the ones above where the planes hit and there was no way for them to get downstairs past the burning portion of the bulding). Several Bethelites who talked about that said that it was VERY troubling for them at the time to see individuals jumping out of the window to certain death, to avoid being burned alive.
When I first heard that an airplane had hit the building I did not think much about it. I remembered reading the history that in 1945 a B-25 bomber had run into the Empire State Building, and the people in the airplane were killed, but the Building stayed intact. It was not until much later that I learned the difference in construction between the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center Towers. Apparently, the Empire State Building was built with a steel frame, throught the whole building, exterior walls, interior walls, etc. There was steel throught the whole structure, especially on the exterior. Whereas, the World Trade Center towers were constructed with the structural steel in the central core of the building where the elevators and stairs were. There was very little steel framing out from that central core. When the airplanes struck, and the fire started, there was not any exterior steel framing to hold the building up. And when the heat from the fire weakened the steel in the central core, everything came down.
I remember hearing stories when the World Trade Center Towers first went up that the people in the offices were told not to put file cabinets, or any heavy furniture, near the exterior walls. All heavy furniture, cabinets, etc., were to be placed in the center of the building. Now, knowing that there was no significant steel on the exterior part of the towers, it makes sense that heavy items had to be in the center, next to the steel framework running up through the center.
When I heard the towers had "fallen" the picture in my mind was of a movie many years ago showing a tall building in Hong Kong falling over on its side. It was not until the end of the day, when I got home and could see the TV film that I realized the buildings just collapsed in place.
I remember after 9/11 our instructions from the Society for field service were to not emphasize any placements. Rather, they gave us some comforting scriptures to share with people. I picked the scripture from Philippians 4:6,7 "Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made kown to God; and the peace of god that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus."
I found this to be helpful. In one particular instance, the man was on his driveway working on his car. He was already upset at something about his car. Then I come up (a total stranger) wanting to read the Bible to him. He at first did not want to hear anything, but then he laid down the wrench in his hand and turned to me. As I read the scriptue from Philippians, I could see his face visibly soften as I read the two verses. Then, in line with our direction, I thanked him for listening and left.
Will we have anything else like this to happen before everything ends. We do not know. We might speculate, but that does not do any good. We will just have to wait and see.
I am thankful that the Governing Body had the presence of mind to suggest at that time we take into account the attitude of people after such a disaster, and suggest some comforting message we could share at a very difficult time for everyone.
Thanks,
Jim