This was a forward from  my cousin.  Thought you would be interested in reading.  Hug you loved ones today.  You never know.........

Justine

For those who would like to read a first-hand account of some of the horror that has been occurring in New York City, this e-mail was sent by one of my close college friends. He is a firefighter in Manhattan.  Thank goodness he is STILL a fireman.  Some of the details are a little crude, so please read on at your discretion.    

He also goes on to ask that we spread the word about donating blood to everyone that we can.

Regards,
--PK

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 11:27 PM
To:
Subject: Re:

I am alive, but I shouldn't be, I was in the lobby of the south tower when it collapsed on top of my company, my Lieutenant didn't make it. I was sure I didn't either. I had just watched 30 firemen head up the staircase 1 was a good friend of mine, they were walking up to fight the fire in the south tower/(second tower to be hit). We were delayed because were were split up, (we were dodging the bodies that were hitting the ground from the 80th floor of the first tower, people were jumping to escape the fire, I saw at least a dozen hit the ground, one fireman was killed by a body that hit him.) We regrouped in the lobby of the Marriot, and were about to get our orders, which would have put us on the stairs with the other 30 guys. We heard a rumble, and the sky out front got dark and everyone just stood there looking out like the glass doors would stop anything, I yelled something I don't remember what, but everyone ran to the southwest exit. As the debris hit I was knocked to the ground, I took in a breath of shit, and buried my head in my coat. the noise was unreal, and as soon as it calmed a little bit, whoever could move made our way out the way we came in,  I wandered around in the dust cloud and found guys from my house, we headed to the west side, and waited it out, I just got back to my firehouse an hour ago.  None of the 30 guys that went up, made it out.  We spent the rest of the day trying to get my officer out, but we were told he didn't have a chance, because the second building came down on the area where he was last seen. Anyway, I am going to hit the sack, I don't know if I will get to Buffalo of not, but who knows.

Thanks for all the concern,
I love and Respect All My Brothers, even Curvin, he was the only laugh I had
all day.
Dino