Remembering 9-11

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We asked several Mule athletes who hail from New York City to give their remembrances of 9-11.

Isaiah Vaughn, Football (Bronx)

Back in ’01 I remember being in school on 9/11. I was in middle school, not sure what grade but the day started off as a typical day in school. Then all of a sudden I remember that there were no more classes, and all the classes were in their homeroom gathered around their teachers as the teachers tried to explain what was going on to us. I had heard that there had been a terrorist attack but I think I was too young to fully understand what it meant.

Looking out the window in my homeroom class, we were able to see the smoke from the Twin Towers being knocked down as everyone waited to be picked up early from school. My mother worked at my middle school, so it wasn’t long before we were on our way home. What I remember most was the overall quietness of the school. On a typical day the hallways are quite loud so this was confusing to me. There was a saddened mood going on around the school and again I think I was too young to understand why.

When I got home I remember seeing the video and images of the Towers being knocked down again and again since it was on every news channel. You could hear the people screaming in panic from the tragic incident. I feel that the impact of this event created an increased awareness of terrorism, not only in NYC but in America. Our safety as Americans had been challenged. All across the country, security and other efforts were stepped up to stop this from possibly happening again. But deaths and events that went down on 9/11 will never be forgotten. 

Kevin Hargrove, Basketball (Queens)

I was 10 when 9/11 occurred. My school was closed due to an infestation of fleas, so I was home sleeping when the first tower was hit. My brother woke me up and told me but I didn’t believe him, so I went back to sleep, and my brother again woke me again to tell me about the second tower. I finally got up to meet my mom and younger sister eating breakfast.

We didn’t have any family member that worked anywhere near there or was a fireman or policeman, so we weren’t directly affected. The only person I knew who was affected was my friend’s uncle who died. It was a terrible day for all and we’ll never forget it.

Darnell Davis, Football (East Harlem)

What I remember is that I was in the fourth grade when it happened. All the parents of my classmates came to pick them up during the middle of school, and I had no idea what happened until I got home that day. It was all over the news for about a week. After 9/11 happened, though, you started seeing a lot of American flags on trains and on trucks and all other public service vehicles. You felt a sense of pride and togtherness while you walked the streets.
 
Kieran Newcomb, Cross Country (Brooklyn)
 
I actually did not live in New York City at the time. I was living in Chicago, but I do have friends who were in school right near the towers when they fell, and they had to be evacuated or had to stay in their school buildings and wait for the smoke to clear. I also have friends who had parents that died in the attacks. All of my friends remember the day vividly. They all say that it was a day where the city came together. That being said though, they all say that it was a day of horror and confusion.

Frank Malandruccolo, Football (Brooklyn)

I was in fifth grade when it happened. I don’t remember much but I do remember a giant state of confusion. I think it gave New Yorkers and Americans a greater sense of American pride. I remember seeing almost every house having an American flag.