“As you go about your lives today, please take a moment with me to remember those six individuals who were simply doing the same 20 years ago and were taken too soon: John DiGiovanni, Robert Kirkpatrick, Stephen A. Knapp, William Macko, Wilfredo Mercado, and Monica Rodriguez Smith, who was pregnant when she died.”- National September 11 Memorial & Museum President & CEO Joe Daniels

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first time the World Trade Center was attacked by terrorist. Six people were killed in that attack including a woman who was seven months pregnant. Those six people are remembered on the north side of the north pool at the National September 11 Memorial. Next to Monica Rodriguez Smith’s name it reads “and her unborn child”. Just think today that unborn child would be a 20-year-old man or woman. There are at least 12 times on the Memorial that after a woman’s name it reads “and her unborn child.” Think those babies would be 11-year-old tweens.

On February 26 1993, Bruce would be doing something in the basement and I would turn on the television to watch the 12 o’clock news. Towards the end of the report they would announce that a bomb had gone off at the WTC. I would yell down the stairs “A bomb went off at the World Trade Center.” Bruce would bound up the stairs and stand it front of the television and state in true firefighter fashion “I can’t believe it! I missed the big one.” No actually you didn’t 🙂

Let us not forget that many who got out of the Twin Towers safely twenty years ago today would be killed on September 11, 2001. As we say a prayer for the families who lost loved ones twenty years ago today, may we also say a prayer for those that got out safely that day but wouldn’t on September 11. And may we remember those who have gotten out twice but live with guilt and memories of things they would prefer to forget.

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.” ~Mary Jean Iron