Guest Column

Memories of Sept. 11 will

always be with Americans

On Sept. 11, 2001, I witnessed one of the greatest atrocities ever committed by man. On that same day and for the following months, I also witnessed one of the greatest gifts of humanity ever given by mankind. Never could anyone have imagined the death and destruction caused by the events which took place on that day. And never could anyone have stopped the brave men and women who selflessly responded to their unyielding call to duty to help their fellow man. Americans and foreigners from all walks of life came from near and far to help those who fell victim to the few maniacal fanatics who plotted to destroy the greatness of this nation, and have only succeeded in strengthening it.

I am a retired New York City police sergeant who now resides in Manalapan. Although I am now a real estate agent, I will always have the instinct and ability to act as a police officer as I have been trained to do. On Sept. 11, when the call went out for retired officers to respond to this overwhelming tragedy, there was no hesitation as to whether or not I should go.

After witnessing the attack while driving into Manhattan, and watching the collapse of the twin towers from the 69th Street Pier in Brooklyn, I knew where I had to be. I was a cop again, like I never retired and it was my next day at work.

My experience from that moment on took me into a world of devastation that only nightmares are made of. The news media could not relay what it felt like standing in the middle of the twisted metal and pulverized concrete that was once the World Trade Center.

Through television you could not smell that distinct odor which emanated from the site, a smell which I will never forget, nor taste the dust which floated through the air and choked us as we worked until we ran out of adrenaline, and exhaustion kept us from going on.

And there was something else, an aura that I can’t explain. Through all the chaos and confusion there was an unspoken organized effort which no one was in charge of, especially for the first few days. We just did what had to be done, instinctively, like ants, and ignored the danger which surrounded us.

We all had one goal and that was to save lives; but as time went on, we realized that every day it became more unlikely. Still, we never gave up hope. I have children of my own and I would have spilled my own blood if only I could have reunited one family; but this would not happen, and it saddens me deeply. Those poor victims and their families, I don’t think words can express how the civilized world feels for them.

I lost many friends and my cousin’s husband on that day. Some of the police officers who died had worked with me and were personal friends of mine. I am extremely proud of them for the acts of heroism and sacrifice they made on that day and every day before Sept. 11. I am honored to have known them and to have been a part of the New York Police Department.

As for those who committed this horrific act and those who would commit even more unimaginable acts of terrorism against innocent people, I would hope that our government would take even more aggressive action against these irrational psychos and the governments that support them. This is the only way to prevent them from committing further acts of murder against innocent people.

We live in the greatest country in the world and are always there to help other countries in need, but it disturbs me that we would feed and strengthen those who will only rise up to try to destroy this country. Their obsession is to kill Amer-icans and we all have seen what they are capable of doing. Let’s not give them a chance to do it again. The day Sept. 11, 2001, should be ingrained in our minds as well as our history books.

On Sept. 11, we realized that Amer-icans of all races and religions could come together as one, without bias. We have all witnessed one of the greatest tragedies in American history and one of the greatest acts of humanity, bravery and sacrifice ever. On Sept. 11, feel sad, feel mad, but most of all feel proud to be an American. Always remember the day that "All Gave Some, and Some Gave All" — Sept. 11, 2001.

Steven R. Cataneo is a resident of Manalapan.