I had taken the day off from work, and sitting at home saw the tragedy of 9/11 happen, as most companies did, my company had a volunteer day to go down to ground zero and help in any way they can. I was assigned to the Red Cross who needed volunteers to assist at the Marriot Hotel, I remained a volunteer with them until the Salvation Army took over, that is where I went for the remaining 10 months until the site closed. While there I met and became an extended family member to those searching for their loved ones. Being a Brooklyn resident, I became aware of the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance, living within walking distance, I would often walk over and stop, reflect and shed many tears for the faces that would be forever frozen in time. I often go to the ceremonies there and share pictures for the families who could not attend. 25 years later, we now realize we never left, we could never leave. We owe it to the families, the children left behind that while evil tried to destroy us, we came together, stood tall and united.