9/11 changed his life forever

On Sept. 11, 2001, I woke up at 5:45 a.m., a little later than usual. I was running out the door when my wife stopped me to ask me if I took care of paying a bill. Focused on trying to get to work, I left abruptly and sped off to the parking lot.

At World Trade Center No. 2, I took the express elevator to the 78th floor and saw two of my colleagues, little did I know for the last time.

At that moment we heard a tremendously loud boom, with an echo, ka-boom, boom. Out the window toward World Trade Center No. 1 there was a black gaping hole in the very center of the building, with flames shooting from the top of the hole and large white squares and rectangles floating downward. Behind them, billows of black smoke erupted from the hole.

I yelled "get out" and entered the stairwell. I tried my cellphone repeatedly, but every time all circuits were busy. At the 55th floor, there was one sudden, thundering boom that echoed up and down the stairs.

It shook once so hard that I was suddenly leaning against the wall with my face and both hands pressed against it. The stairs swayed in a rocking motion, back and forth, and people were screaming. My legs felt like jelly, partly from the 30 flights of walking, but mostly from fear.

The air became smoky once we got to the 20th floor, but soon we exited the building, luckily before the towers collapsed.

After miles of walking, hiding in a bread truck to cross the G.W.B. and calling a car service, I was in front of my house in New Jersey. My wife, three daughters, mother and many others were there. I hugged everyone and went inside with my family.

It was 7 p.m., and I was home.

Always remember, seven years later?

For me, I will always remember those who were less fortunate, to treasure every moment and to take the time to kiss my wife and daughters goodbye. Henry D'Atri Thousand Oaks