The following is an email received by a Lake County family from their daughter. This was received by all of the Kistner family members. It was sent on Sept. 12, 2001. Nancy, is one of their nine children, who lives in New York City.
“Dear Family,
First, let me begin by saying that I am so lucky and thankful to have a family such as ours that supports each other in times like these. Thanks to all of you for trying to reach me yesterday and for being concerned about my safety.
I am home, relatively safe and was not injured during the attack. I was on my way to work at Citigroup Center in midtown Manhattan when the planes flew into the World Trade Center Towers.
I left my apartment at exactly 8:30 a.m., had just turned off CNN on my way out the door and at that time nothing had happened yet. I headed down to the subway station at 96th Street, which is uptown from downtown Manhattan and I noticed an unusual amount of people waiting on the platform for the train.
Two subway trains screamed through the station and would not stop, which was alarming. Finally a third train came through and stopped to pick us up. I arrived to Citigroup Center at 8:45 a.m., right as the first plane was striking Tower 1 of the WTC and I, along with thousands of New Yorkers, didn”t know it was happening.
I then went to get coffee and noticed I had a message on my cell phone from Therese saying there was a plane crash at the WTC. At that point when I went up to my office I called Therese only to find out that more was involved, another plane appeared to have intentionally hit Tower 2 and that these planes were hijacked by terrorists. Fear started setting in, however those of us at the office had yet to realize the magnitude of what was taking place.
Within about a half-hour our building was evacuated. The building I work in is a high-profile building. You may be familiar with it whenever you view the NYC skylines. The WTC Towers are part of the downtown skyline and Citigroup Center is the very tall white building with the slanted roof built on stilts which is part of the midtown skyline. Getting out of my building was my first priority.
I anxiously walked 40 blocks up Lexington Avenue home, as all the subways were shutdown, as well as most public transportation. I kept looking back toward downtown and forever saw a gray, dark cloud of smoke penetrating the sky and disrupting the usually picturesque view of the downtown buildings. I was amazed at the terror in people”s eyes as we passed each other. There were numerous people on the streets in suits, people who are normally in office buildings. Lines wrapped around blocks to pay phones, ATMs and any TV or radio that was available to hear any further news of what was happening.
I tried calling everyone I could think of and continuously could not get through on my cell phone, however I kept trying despite the frustration. Paul got through and it was comforting to talk to him as things were happening.
There is only one word that I can use to describe what has happened here in NYC. UNIMAGINABLE. The city is in shock. The city is now quiet and desolate, except for the continuous sound of sirens and fighter planes overhead. For the first time in my experience I can honestly say we have experienced WAR and I had hoped in my lifetime I never would.
I have contacted or heard from so many family members, friends and colleagues and so far the news is good. There, unfortunately, is more to follow. At this time, I appreciate that we have a family letter in which we communicate each month. Living so far away from everyone, it has always meant a lot to me. This is a wake up call to live each day in the present, love each other every day and let each other know how we feel.
Love to you all,
Nancy Kistner
09/12/01
