9 years ago tomorrow is obviously a very bad day in our history, both as a nation and for many of us personally. I lost people I knew professionally but not close friends. A person where I worked at the time lost about 50 people he had worked with for several years. Over time I've met a number of folks who were closer to the scene than I was - one actually at the Marriott across the street when the planes hit. The city itself, its allure, its open feeling changed as well. Armed guards were everywhere. Soldiers in flak jackets and with loaded rifles were on guard at the major transportation centers, in subways, on train platforms. Above all were the signs that read "have you seen" on makeshift bulletin boards throughout the city.
These signs, posters, pictures - they broke hearts and came from broken hearts. It brought the destruction home to everyone; realizing that remains of the victims were few and far between and for the most part, persons vanished. Anyway, 9 years ago right now I was on a train into the city for work. The first plane will hit the North Tower 1 day and 1 hour from right this very minute.
Today is a memorial day for the last day when things were normal.