Thanks to the Albert Lea Tribune for the 9/11 focus on the landmark 10th anniversary.

In the early morn of Sept. 11, 2001, I arrived on the Marina at 1 North End Ave. to a new job in The Mercantile Exchange Building. I was optimistically watching the lower Manhattan commerce come to life, as the ferry stopped to bring people to work downtown Manhattan. The picture-perfect day is still a vivid recollection and the way I like to remember the Marina, The Winter Garden and life in America.

When within the hour the Mercantile Exchange was evacuated, the word on the street was that a commuter plane strayed off course hitting a World Trade Center tower. But the siren call to firefighters and police in New York City was far more severe as with courage and conviction racing into dangers unknown they wrestled there with evil. It was then clear to the entire world, almost at once, terror had been unleashed in freedom’s native land and dark clouds of soot and dust prevailed.

What did they miss? Terroristic fury missed a flood of goodwill from north, south, east and west which surprised even the heart of New York. As volunteers and vigilant visitors arrived in a then-ravaged Lower Manhattan, hearts made of gold will forever be remembered on 9/11.

Pamela S. Slette

Albert Lea