Where were you twenty years ago on 9/11/01?

As we remember the terror attacks that changed America forever, I know we will all take some time this weekend to reflect and honor all those who died on that fateful September day.

I was living in Boston working for NBC 7 News on September 11th, 2001. I remember how chaotic the newsroom was. I had never seen the newsroom that chaotic and busy before, but at the same time, we all felt frozen like we didn’t even know what to do. Two of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center had left from Boston’s Logan Airport (United Airlines Flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 11) so there was strong news interest in Boston on that day as well. This story shook all Americans to our core and scared all of us too.  But that day also made us more united and stronger in so many ways. 9/11 was the real reason I moved to New York City, and I never looked back. It changed all of our lives in different ways. For me, it brought me true love with Jeff. We had been dating long-distance (me in Boston and Jeff in NYC), but that’s when we decided we needed to be living in the same city together. New York City, you have our love and you have our full hearts.

I also want to honor my friend and classmate Kris Hughes who died that morning. Kris was a securities trader who was trapped on the 79th floor at 2 World Trade. He never made it out. Kris was an incredibly kind athlete who loved fishing and his family. The class of 1990 at Berkshire School misses him, and this weekend we remember our friend. RIP Kris…we will never forget.

On a side note on this somber anniversary, I want to share two inspirational stories of hope and unity.

My former TV news colleague Ashleigh Banfield was one of the first reporters on the scene after the 9/11 attacks. She then went to Afghanistan to report for MSNBC where we worked together. Her translator (“Jawad”) helped keep Ashleigh and her TV crew safe on a daily basis. Now Ashleigh has helped Jawad and his family safely escape from Afghanistan to America. The good news, they made it to the U.S. and they are safe. Now, Ashleigh is asking for our support through this Go Fund Me page for Jawad and his family as they start their brand new life in America. 

Thank you for watching this video message from Ashleigh, and helping to spread the word.

The other story is about Paul “Paulie” Veneto. Paulie is a former flight attendant who is pushing an airline beverage cart as he walks from Boston to NYC. Today on September 11, 2021, Paulie will make it to his final destination: Ground Zero. Paulie is raising awareness to honor his fellow flight crew members who died on 9/11. You can follow Paulie’s inspirational journey here on his website. We are all cheering him on, bravo Paulie!

Thank you all for reading this. NEVER FORGET. Please keep praying hard for our amazing country.

God Bless America,

xoxo Nina