Remembering 9/11
It’s the one story that still gives me chills.
I can’t watch the video or even talk about my experiences that day without getting goosebumps and a wave of emotions.
I was there that crisp beautiful September morning, just four blocks from the scene, dealing with shock, uncertainty and anger like everyone else, trying to shelve the strongest emotions so I could clearly report on the awful and surreal events unfolding before my eyes.
I left my midtown office soon after the first reports filtered in of a small plane accidentally hitting one of the towers. When I emerged at Canal Street I found hundreds of dazed New Yorkers standing like statues on every corner, staring wordlessly towards the smoke rising above lower Manhattan.
Just four months after surgery to repair a torn ACL in my right knee, I wasn’t able to run the mile or so to the scene (my train stopped short of ground zero because of the tragedy unfolding there) so I hopped and half-ran, flashing my press credentials to police as I got close, ending up just a block north of the North Tower where I first realized BOTH towers were on fire and our nation was under attack.
Our satellite truck was around the corner and engineer Pat Butler was already running cable and hooking up a camera and microphone when I found him. Moments later we began broadcasting live from the scene and moments after that, the first tower came crashing down.
I visited the site just days before this 8th anniversary for an up-close look at the progress being made and an interview with developer Larry Silverstein who finalized a deal to lease the World Trade Center property just six weeks before the planes hit. He’s been demonized by some who blame him for the slow pace of development but I don’t think that’s fair. He actually built a new Tower 7 in four years, starting not long after the smoke cleared from the pit. He’s started construction on Tower 4 and says he’s ready to begin buildings 2 and 3 but at Ground Zero, nothing is easy.
Silverstein, who’s 78, calls the past eight years the “most frustrating” of his life, dealing with a laundry list of hurdles, complications, lawsuits (some filed by him) and arbitration battles with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a government agency that owns the 16 acre property. Both sides say they hope to resolve the latest battle soon. In the meantime, the P.A. is hard at work on Tower One, formerly known as “Freedom Tower”, which is finally rising above ground next to a platform that will be home to a park, museum and twin waterfalls in the footprints of the Twins that fell. Tower One is expected to be finished in 2013. The Memorial should be open on the tenth anniversary in 2011, the Museum in 2012. Completion dates for the rest of the project are murky and dependant on many things, including the economy.
9/11 affected me deeply and changed my life in many ways. Reliving it is difficult but I agree with so many others who argue it’s imperative we never forget the events of that day, the sacrifices made and the remarkable contributions that followed.
Don’t miss the primetime special “FOX News Reporting: 9/11: Timeline of Terror” airing Friday, September 11 at 10p/ 1a et.
This will air commercial-free thanks to Rosland Capital.
Rick Leventhal is a correspondent in the New York bureau, but has
covered stories in more than 30 states and 20 countries, from Aruba to
Afghanistan. He has also reported from the field for dozens of World
Series games! 
Kudos to Fox News on a great piece of work. The Time Line of Terror was so hard to watch but I couldn’t stop. It brought back all the pain and horror of that morning. Thanks for helping America not forget. Let’s never forget.
thanks for re-acquainting everyone with the facts about 911. I hope that millions of people watched this indepth report. It made it as if we were living it all over again. For too long that day has been remembered in 30 sec sound bites and has dulled most peoples memories.
I watched that day on FOX news as it all unfolded. I am so glad that FOX is carried here in Houston. Keep up all your good work and nevermind the critics—they only complain because they know you are making a difference.
A faitful viewer,
BETTE SCHWAGER
I just watched the special…please don’t stop showing it. Our nation needs to remember and reflect.
Thank you for your very moving remembrance of the terrible day America was attacked. Your presentation brought that day into our hearts as we heard the accounts of people who survived and the stories of loved ones who did not. This day will always be about remembering. God bless America.
Thank you so much for airing “Remembering 9/11″ this evening. Yes, it was a memorable tribute and a story well told. We also are greatful to Rosland Capital for making it possible for tonights tribute be commercial free. Fox News truly loves America; we the people need you so please keep up the good work! All the Fox programs today had wonderful tributes. We doubt the sincerity of those who have had connections with the Rev. Wright. And that is why it is important to have Fox News by our side as we share the same sincere love for our country.
I watched the special and would like a copy. The video was well made. My husband kept staring at me vs. the t.v. because of the emotion I was projecting–holding my shirt in a knot with one hand and holding my hair at the back of my head with the other hand. When I have grandchildren, I’d like to show them the history and the day that American was attacked.
Thank you for playing this remeberance. I really enjoyed it. Yes I cried again but there were things I had forgotten and never thought I would., I was very well done. Thank you again so much
Rick, that was my 1st day to watch FNC . Your reporting kept me glued to FNC .Thanks for your emotion,facts,and courage on that terrrible day !! God BLess the USA !! and of course’ FNC
Rick,
I have long wondered why we didn’t see more of you since that day and now i know it’s because you work in the local NY market. What a shame. You were an anchor (not the reporting kind) and you did a great job covering what must have been very frightening. Thanks for your work.
Thank you Rick and all of Fox News for the wonderful 9/11 coverage. I had it on all day and was not disappointed. Sad I didn’t know about Fox on 9/11/01.
Hi there, Rick!
I was watching Fox News that tragic morning of 9/11 and I saw you struggle through the huge dust cloud after the towers fell. You still continued to report the news like a true professional as you took cover not knowing if you were about to loose your own life. I was there in spirit with you as tears flowed from my shocked and stunned face. I too, will never forget as you and the rest of the heroes did their best to do their jobs on that day even though they, themselves, were overcome with fear. I WILL NEVER FORGET!