From Dust Til Dawn

September 11th 2021. On the 20th year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, four strangers who are linked by the history of September 11th, 2001 come together. One of them is a 30 year old banker named Jason. Another one is a 35 year old firefighter named Elaine. They are joined by a 57 year old retired army officer named Joe, and a 45 year old videographer named Freeman. When Jason was 10 years old he watched the attack on the World Trade Center while spending the morning with his mother in lower Manhattan. When Elaine was 15 years old her father was one of the firefighters that gave his life in the twin towers. When retired army officer Joe was 37 years old he helped save a lot of lives at the Pentagon when it was attacked on 9/11. When Freeman was 25 years old he lost a family member on United Airlines flight 93 who fought to stop the plane from reaching its target that morning.

All of these people have a story and it is no coincidence that they have just met each other. They are all attending the 9/11 memorial service in lower Manhattan for the 20th anniversary of the attacks. By chance the four of them just happen to meet each other in the museum as they prepare for the commemoration ceremony.

Elaine accidentally bumps into Joe. “Oh I’m so sorry” she said while straightening him back up by the arm. “Oh you’re perfectly fine, dear.” Joe responded. Joe then looked at Elaine’s attire and noticed she was a member of the New York City fire department. “Oh wow!” He began. “You’re a member of the FDNY. I imagine this is a very important day for you.” “Yes.” she replied with a slight smile. “My dad was also with the FDNY. He died in the towers.” Joe then put a hand on her shoulder. “I know the last 20 years hasn’t been easy for you love” he started. “But I know your father is looking down on you with joy. The fact that you followed in his footsteps is so honorable, I know your family is very proud of you.” “My mother has always been very supportive of my decision even though she was a little scared for me at first” Elaine replied. “But in the end she knew it was just in my blood to be a fighter like my father.”

Standing right behind Elaine was Freeman with a camera, who just happened to overhear her conversation with Joe. “Hi” Freeman started. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation and I just wanna tell you how admirable you are for how you’ve honored your father.” “Thank you” Elaine replied while noticing his camera. “Are you filming the ceremony?” She asked. “A little bit. My name is Freeman. I lost a family member of mine on United flight 93 in the attacks. I’ve been a filmmaker since then and lately I’ve been retracing the history of the attacks for the 20th anniversary. Kinda making a documentary.” “Oh yeah? What are you gonna call it?” Joe asked. “I’m gonna call it “From Dust Till Dawn” it’s a play on the name of a Quentin Tarantino movie mixed with the meaning of 9/11.” “Sounds like a solid idea, I guess” Jason said sarcastically while standing behind Freeman.

“Wow!” Freeman laughed. “Good to see you J!” “Good to see you too, Free” Jason said while hugging Freeman. Turning his attention back towards Elaine and Joe, Freeman introduced them to Jason. “Elaine and Mr-?” “Joe” Joe added. “My name is Joe.” “Elaine and Joe, this Jason. He was in lower Manhattan with his mother on the day of the attacks.” “Really?” Elaine and Joe asked simultaneously. “Yes” Jason started. “She worked in lower Manhattan at the time of the attacks and that day she took me to work with her as I was scheduled for a check up that day, never made it to that check up because the attack went down right in front of my 10 year old eyes.”

The trio continued to listen to Jason with interest. “I was at a restaurant with my mom and her work friends when the attacks started. I saw a lot of bad that day, including watching a group of five people jump out of the building together with outstretched arms. Thankfully none of us were hurt and we all made it out of the city.” “You know son, I can relate” Joe began. “I was a petty officer at the Pentagon at the time of the attacks. Me and my colleagues help to get alot people outta the building.” “That’s remarkable” Jason replied. “You’re a hero, Joe. You saved lives.” “He’s right” Elaine added. “I was just helping my brothers like they would’ve helped me.” said Joe with a reserved smile. “You seemed to have done really well for yourself, Jason” Joe said admiring Jason’s three piece suit. “Well I grew up to follow in my mom and dad’s footsteps” Jason started. “I became a banker, got myself into the world of finances and have been successful. I also met Freeman here at the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks ceremony a decade ago. We’ve been close friends ever since.”

After a brief silence Freeman addressed the group with an idea. “You know guys I was just gonna interview Jason for my documentary, but now I think I wanna add more names with more stories to this documentary. Elaine and Joe, would you both be willing to help me out?” “Of course” Joe replied. “It would be an honor” Elaine added. “Maybe it shouldn’t stop with us” Jason began. “Maybe we should find others who all have a story to tell like us.” “I think that’s exactly what we should do” Joe concurred. “Count me in” Elaine added. “Well alrighty then” Freeman started. “It looks like we got a team together. Freeman stuck his hand out in the middle of the quartet. Elaine put her hand on top of his. Jason put a hand over Elaine’s and Joe top it off by putting a hand over Jason’s.

The four them all shared a group hug with a collective appreciation for their desire to preserve the history of the day that changed their lives and the lives of countless others. Among a crowd of many, including the families and loved ones of the quartet, Elaine, Jason, Joe and Freeman sat together watching the fallen of 9/11 being honored with peace in their hearts that they too were going honor and preserve the history of the dusted dawn that was September 11th 2001.

~~This story is dedicated to everyone who will forever have September 11th 2001 etched in their hearts. We will never forget.