dimailer

As far as emotions are concerned, being there was mostly about looking at the big mess in disbelief. I didn't see any gore, so it didn't disturb my sleep. I can't say I was exhausted, because we didn't dig all day, that was rescuers' job. We didn't rescue; we helped people who tried to rescue. That meant, mostly, low-level activities like unloading and giving stuff out.

No signs, and hopefully there won't be any. I wore the respirator the entire time.

Smoldering ruins that smoldered until Christmas. The smoke could be seen from miles away.

Rescuers mostly standing, looking and discussing things, because every step had to be approved by NYPD+FDNY+FEMA+FBI+Port Authority, which was painstakingly slow.

"MORGUE" written on the wall near McDonald's on the south corner of the plaza.

Some blue-collar guy I met, who drove to NYC to volunteer, and slept in a tent in a park.

Inch-thick I-beams, torn and twisted like paper, not leaving any hope for anyone's survival.

Lots of "MISSING" pictures on the wall of the Armory on Lexington.

Some random people on the subway seeing me in the vest and hardhat and thanking me.

Ankle-high layer of document sheets in the courtyard of the Trinity Church, the only remaining spot after the streets had been cleaned up. On sheets, lawsuits and investment strategies.

A cafe under the blue tarp on Liberty Street, a lit oasis in the dark, where the firemen and police ate, sitting at the long tables.

Chinese store owners, wiping the bags that hanged on storefronts, from the dust.

Cop barking at me, "Pick up your boxes and leave the area!"

Sharp edge of boot top that rubbed on my shin till I bled

Band-aid and food at Seamen's Church Institute

The bronze sphere in the center of the WTC plaza that miraculously survived, though badly disfigured

All these threads in the fabric of a major emergency

Someone is downvoting probably because mods didn't think my proof was strong. I had to post it on my facebook to give credibility.

No, I wasn't there during the brawl. I was there 4 days after the collapse. The brawl was 2 months after. Sad to hear.

Because I never tried talking about it. Talking could be different from watching and reading.