Tim Stockwell
Remembering 9/11
I don't usually post more than one photo a day, but today I'll make an exception...
Twenty-four years ago today, I was a senior at Troy High School in Troy, NY when terrorists highjacked four different planes -- two of which struck the Twin Towers in New York City, one which struck the Pentagon in Washington, and the other that was brought down by heroes and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. My aunt just happened to be working as an FBI agent out of NYC when the attacks happened, and -- not yet having a cell phone -- I remember using a payphone in the basement of Troy High to call home and see if there was any news about her. Thankfully, she was fine, but unfortunately for her she had to be heavily involved in the cleanup at Ground Zero afterwards.
The world changed after 9/11. Sadly, it wasn't really for the better -- other than for temporary solidarity amongst Americans. I, for one, remember what it was like to do railroad photography before 9/11, then just how many times I got questioned by police after that.
I don't always post about 9/11 when the anniversary comes up, but -- with all of the other terrible events we've seen recently -- it seemed appropriate to say something and share something.
9/11 -- along with more recent events -- are reminders that evil exists in the world. We can pretend it doesn't, we can imagine that there's a way to totally outlaw it through legislation, but you can't. There's only one solution to evil that I know of, and -- without getting too preachy -- I'll just share a quote from the one who's the solution:
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NIV)
Regarding the train, this was a combined Pan Am / NS OCS that ran west over the West End on October 7, 2009. This was before the F-units arrived, and I believe NS had left their F-units in Mohawk Yard. When I took this photo, it wasn't long past the 8-year anniversary of 9/11. With the early Fall weather and just enough of a breeze to show off Old Glory, there's no doubt that day crossed my mind when I took this photo...
Pan Am OCS
Pownal, Vermont
October 7, 2009
Remembering 9/11
I don't usually post more than one photo a day, but today I'll make an exception...
Twenty-four years ago today, I was a senior at Troy High School in Troy, NY when terrorists highjacked four different planes -- two of which struck the Twin Towers in New York City, one which struck the Pentagon in Washington, and the other that was brought down by heroes and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. My aunt just happened to be working as an FBI agent out of NYC when the attacks happened, and -- not yet having a cell phone -- I remember using a payphone in the basement of Troy High to call home and see if there was any news about her. Thankfully, she was fine, but unfortunately for her she had to be heavily involved in the cleanup at Ground Zero afterwards.
The world changed after 9/11. Sadly, it wasn't really for the better -- other than for temporary solidarity amongst Americans. I, for one, remember what it was like to do railroad photography before 9/11, then just how many times I got questioned by police after that.
I don't always post about 9/11 when the anniversary comes up, but -- with all of the other terrible events we've seen recently -- it seemed appropriate to say something and share something.
9/11 -- along with more recent events -- are reminders that evil exists in the world. We can pretend it doesn't, we can imagine that there's a way to totally outlaw it through legislation, but you can't. There's only one solution to evil that I know of, and -- without getting too preachy -- I'll just share a quote from the one who's the solution:
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NIV)
Regarding the train, this was a combined Pan Am / NS OCS that ran west over the West End on October 7, 2009. This was before the F-units arrived, and I believe NS had left their F-units in Mohawk Yard. When I took this photo, it wasn't long past the 8-year anniversary of 9/11. With the early Fall weather and just enough of a breeze to show off Old Glory, there's no doubt that day crossed my mind when I took this photo...
Pan Am OCS
Pownal, Vermont
October 7, 2009