The day was September 11, twenty-five years ago. I was returning to our apartment in NYC from walking the dogs when the doorman told me a plane had just flown into one of the towers of the World Trade Center. I rushed to the elevator, into our apartment, and turned on the TV. The phone rang — our daughter Debbie asking if we were okay. We were both watching our TVs when a plane flew into the other tower. That day we will never forget.
Al was in a taxi in midtown and saw the smoke and flames, with a radio announcer telling passengers what was happening. We were able to speak to each other before the phones went dead. When Al got home, we walked to Mount Sinai Hospital to give blood. There were lots of people there to donate, but that day they were only taking type O-negative blood, as it can be given to everyone. A nurse took Al immediately and led him into a small closet filled with shelves of equipment in order to have privacy while asking him the sensitive questions required because of the AIDS epidemic. It was surreal at the time. I returned to give blood the next day.
I will always remember the sirens going off all day, army planes flying low over the city, and masses of people walking north to their homes. Two nights later, we attended a church service for people of all faiths at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, where the service was led by a minister, a priest, a rabbi, and an imam. At the end of the service, we all prayed together and held hands.
On Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon of Memorial Day Weekend, you have the opportunity to revisit that day in a powerful musical drama produced by our favorite trumpet player, Dominick Farinacci, Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story. This moving production features firefighter Bill Spade narrating the attack on America from his presence in the World Trade Center that day, while James Poling, who fought for three years in Afghanistan, takes us Behind the Lines as Americans reacted to the attack.
Click here for Dominick’s interview with Val Cavalheri:
Behind The Lines: A 9/11 Story
Click here for Al’s column published in The Talbot Spy:
Behind The Lines by Al Sikes
Click here for the short sizzler video:
Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story
Click here to purchase tickets:
Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story featuring trumpeter Dominick Farinacci
Hope to see you at one of the performances. Bring friends, bring family. I promise you will be happy you did.
Marty Sikes
Oxford