conte conspiracy theory
Wi n t e r I s s u e
Wi n t e r I s s u e
Letter From the Editor
CONTENTS
The United States is a republic of many. But on September 11, 2001, a shock felt around the world jolted us to the core and the people of a nation stood together to become one. Drunk with unity, we did not question. Those of us who thought to question did not use their voice for fear of being labeled as a terrorist or unpatriotic. As time passed, imagination wandered, intensity built, anger materialized. We concocted a multitude of scenarios and alternative explanations to satisfy individual curiosities to ease the mind. We sought truth. Sensible answers to unfathomable questions. Happenings that seemed so preposterous and far-fetched had to have deeper explanation. This issue of Conte gathers true, first-hand accounts of what people saw and did on that day and the days to follow. We contrast those experiences with conspiracy theories to present a platform where stories can be shared and new ideas are generated. We, as a nation, deserve answers. Whatever our beliefs, whatever our conclusions we regretfully cannot undo what has been done. But we can stand together to honor those lost. features 04
911 Conspiracy Theory
14
Portraits
PHOTO ESSAY 24
2 CONTE
NY: The Aftermath of 911
CONTE 3
911 CONSPIRACY THEORY Examination Providing Alternate Theories On What Really Happened According To Civilians What is going on? How did this happen? Who is responsible?
You woke. You showered. Maybe grabbed some breakfast, maybe went to work. Somewhere during your morning routine, the unthinkable happened. Either you watched, heard or experienced a plane fly into a building. The events that followed were hazy at best, as a million things flew through your mind. Aside from being there and possibly fighting for your life, other questions ran through us in those first few moments: What is going on? How did this happen? Who is responsible?
CONTE 5
For some, the questions never end. Before any of those questions could be answered another plane flew into another building. And another. And a field. Shortly after, a building collapsed. Another building collapsed. And another. Four planes. Two skyscrapers hit. Three skyscrapers fell. The dust lingered. Naturally, most of us are skeptics. We hear things, start to piece everything together, only the pieces don’t quite fit. There are questions left unanswered. A finger was pointed at al Qaeda. Scared and angry we listened implicitly and one person’s closure was another’s doubt.
6 CONTE
One person’s closure is another’s
What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
But what’s more interesting is these three buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history to collapse from fire. On May 4, 1988, a 62-story building in LA burned on four floors for three hours. On February 23, 1991 a 38-story building in Philadelphia burned on eight floors for nineteen hours. On October 17, 2004, a 56story building in Venezuela burned for over seventeen hours on twentysix floors. None of these buildings collapsed. Even on February 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a sprinkler system, a fire broke out on the eleventh floor and spread from floors nine through fourteen. Not even then, did the building collapse from the fire.
The South Tower was the second tower hit and the first to go down. The plane hit the southeast corner allowing most of the jet fuel to explode outside the building. The North Tower was hit straight on and had already been burning for about thirty minutes. The South Tower burned for 56 minutes, the North Tower, for 102 minutes before they fell.
and thatisthey heard explosions right accounts before each tower collapsed. What addsfirefighters believability to civilians this theory the numerous eye-witness by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters,
Theory #1:WTC 1, 2 and 7 Destroyed in Planned Demolition This theory is based on how these towers fell. The twin Towers each completely collapsed in about ten seconds and WTC7 in about six and a half seconds seconds. These were all steel structures and the twin towers were struck with planes in the higher floors. Gordon Ross, a mechanical engineer, stated the fall of the towers should’ve been more asymmetrical. As a steel building, the upper sections would’ve twisted down and away from their lower portions. Instead, the top fell through, completely straight to the ground, taking the path of greatest resistance. It seems odd and unnatural that two 110-story towers only took ten seconds to fall this way. For such a chaotic and dramatic impact, all three fell too perfectly, evenly and with such grace.
Whatdown addsand believability to this theory is the numerous reporters, per sections would’ve twisted away from their lower portions. Instead, the topeye-witness fell through,accounts completelybystraight to the ground, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
CONTE 9
What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
g is these three buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history to collapse ’s more these three buildings collapsed 2001, are theimpact, only all three in history collsu ms odd andinteresting unnatural thatis two 110-story towers only tookthat ten seconds to fall on this September way. For such a11, chaotic and dramatic threebuildings fell too perfectly, evenly andtowith s more interesting is these three buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history to colla
It seems odd and unnatural that two 110-story towers only took ten seconds to fall this way. For such a chaotic and dramatic impact, all three fell too perfectly, evenly and wi
What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, WhatWhat adds adds believability to this theory is theisnumerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, believability thisthey theory numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civiliansto that heard the explosions right before each tower collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters,
ing is these three buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history to collapse
What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, What adds believability to this theory isand thecivilians numerous eye-witness by right reporters, firefighters that they heardaccounts explosions before each tower collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
is these three buildings collapsed September the only buildings in history to collaps eoreofinteresting these buildings collapsed. Even onthat February 13,on 1975, before 11, the 2001, Northare Tower had three a sprinkler system, a fire broke out
WhatWhat adds adds believability to this is theisnumerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, believability to theory this theory the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, What adds believability to and this civilians theory isthat the they numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters heardheard explosions right before each towertower collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they explosions right before each collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts reporters, What adds believability to civilians this theory isthey the numerous eye-witness accounts byby reporters, What adds believability tothat this theory isbelievability the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. What adds to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions each tower What adds believability to this theory is theand numerous eye-witness accounts bycollapsed. reporters, firefighters civiliansright that before they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they heard right before each tower collapsed. What adds believability to theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, What adds believability to this theory is theexplosions numerous eye-witness accounts bythis reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by explosions reporters, right before each tower collapsed. firefighters civilians that they heard firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right beforeand each tower collapsed. and civilians that they is heard explosionseye-witness right beforeaccounts each tower collapsed. Whatfirefighters adds believability to this theory the numerous by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. What adds believability to this theory is theory the numerous eye-witness accounts accounts by reporters, What What adds addsbelievability believability totothis this theory isisthe thenumerous numerous eye-witness eye-witness accounts bybyreporters, reporters, What adds believability to this theory is and the numerous eye-witness accounts reporters, firefighters and civilians that they that heard explosions right by before each tower collapsed. firefighters firefighters and civilians civilians that they they heard heard explosions explosions right right before before each each tower towercollapsed. collapsed. firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
6
conte
what’s more interesting is these three buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history t None of these buildings collapsed. Even on February 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a sprinkler system, a fire broke fire.
None of these buildings collaps of these buildings collapsed. one of these buildings collapsed. Ev e of these buildings collapsed. None of these buildings collaps eEven eon of ofFebruary these these buildings buildings collapsed. collapsed. Even ldings collapsed. on February 13, 1975, bef 13, 1975, before t bruary 13, 1975, before the North f these buildings collapsed. on February 13, 1975, before Even on February 13, 1975, bef uary on 13, February 1975, before 13, 1975, the North before To t 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a sprinkler sy h Tower had a sprinkler system d a sprinkler system, a fire broke o n February 13, 1975, before the th Tower had a sprinkler syste North Tower had a sprinkler sy th sprinkler Tower had system, a sprinkler a fire broke syste out afire sprinkler system, a broke out on the roke out on the e ower had a sprinkler system, a broke out out on the fire broke on the broke fire out on the ke out on the
what’s more interesting is these three buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history t fire. of these buildings collapsed. Even on February 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a sprinkler system, a fire broke out o hree buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history to collapse more is tothese three buildings thatand collapsed on September 2001, are the three buildings in history to collap ers onlyinteresting took ten seconds fall this way. For such a chaotic dramatic impact, all three fell 11, too perfectly, evenly andonly with such grace. of these buildings collapsed. Even on February 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a sprinkler system, a fire broke out o ildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history to collapse
to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, s that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed.
Another interesting fact is that both CNN and BBC reported WTC7 collapsing just after 4:00PM, only WTC7 collapsed at approximately 5:20PM. Both reporters had the building in the background over their shoulders in the footage. Theory #2: Pentagon Attacked by Cruise Missile The theory here questions whether a plane even hit the Pentagon. Why? Because there wasn’t really any debris from a plane and what was found was completely inconsistent with a Boeing 757. For example, the 757 has two engines – one under each wing. Each engine is about nine feet wide, twelve feet long and weighs six tons. These engines are made from titanium, which burns at 1688 degrees Celsius. Jet fuel, when in an oxygenated environment will burn at 1000 degrees Celsius. Neither engine was found at the site. In fact, the official report indicated the entire plane was vaporized. How can this be when its scientifically impossible for titanium to melt at 1000 degrees Celsius? If twelve tons of engine went barreling through the Pentagon at 530 MPH, the inertia should’ve sent the fuselage through the building, tearing the wings off on impact. Also, the damage to the Pentagon was a sixteen-foot hole in the outer wall. Not even the windows next to the hole were damaged. There was no trace of damage from the wings or the vertical stabilizer. Eyewitnesses even said there were no marks on the lawn, which means if a plane hit, it would’ve had to go from being airborne right into the four-story building with absolute precision. The FBI confiscated all the area surveillance tapes before anyone knew what had happened and only five shots were released, not one showing a clear image of a plane. Theory #3: U.S. Air Force Deliberately Takes Out Passenger Jet Colonel Bob Maar said, “The words I remember clear as day are, we will take lives in the air to preserve lives on the ground,” when talking about military tracking of flight 93. This is inconsistent with the official speculation about the passengers overthrowing the hijackers and sacrificing their own lives for others. But even if the military took flight 93 down, there would still be wreckage at the crash site. However, like the Pentagon, the site was extremely sparse. It was reported that pieces of clothing and papers scattered the site for up to six miles, yet, no plane debris. How could fabric and paper survive yet the entire airplane just vanished? The only other evidence of a crash was a large crater where it may have hit the ground. 10 CONTE
completely collapsed in about The Collapse Wt demolitions basedofonWTC1, how they about sixtheory and a half seconds One suggests thesesectt completely collapsed in about structures and athe towers were demolitions based on how about six and half seconds sect The Collapse of WTC1, WTC higher floors. Gordon Ross, am completely collapsed abo structures and the towersinwere One theory these three the fall ofsix thesuggests towers should’ve about and a half seconds higher floors. Gordon Ross, am demolitions based on how they steel building, the upper section the should’ve towers we the structures fall of theand towers completely collapsed in about away from their lower portions floors. Ross,t steelhigher building, theGordon upper section about six and a half seconds sec completely straight to the grou the fall of the towers should The Collapse of WTC1, W away from their lower portions structures and the towers were resistance. It seems odd and unn steel building, the upper sec One theory suggests these completely straight to the grout higher floors. Gordon Ross, a to m towers only took ten seconds away from their lower porti demolitions based how t resistance. It seems oddonand unn The Collapse of WTC1, WTC the fall of the towers should’ve chaotic and dramatic impact, al straight tointhe gto completely collapsed abo towers only took ten these seconds One theory suggests three steel building, the upper section evenly and with such grace. resistance. It seems odd and about sixdramatic and a on halfimpact, seconds chaotic and al demolitions based how they away from their lower portions towers only took ten second structures andof the towers wet evenly and with such grace. completely collapsed in about The Collapse WTC1, WT completely straight to the grou What adds believability to this Attack at the Pentagon chaotic and dramatic impact higher floors. Gordon Ross, about six and asuggests half seconds sec One theory these thfi resistance. It seems odd and unn witness accounts by reporters, The theory here question evenly and with such grace. the fall of the towers should What adds believability to this structures and the towers were demolitions based on how th towers only took ten seconds to they heard explosions right bef there wasn’t really any de steel building, the upper sec witness accounts by reporters, fi higher floors. Gordon Ross, a m completely collapsed in abou chaotic and dramatic impact, al inconsistent with a Boein What adds believability to th away from their lower porti they heard explosions right befs the fall ofsixthe towers about and asuch halfshould’ve seconds evenly and with grace. But what’s more interesting isgti each wing. Each engine witness accounts by reporte completely straight tosection thewe steel building, the upper structures and the towers collapsed onmore September 11, 200 These engines are made they heard right resistance. Itexplosions seems odd and But what’s interesting is t away from their lower portions higher floors. Gordon Ross, What adds believability to this in history to collapse from fire. fuel, when in an oxygena towers only took ten second collapsed on September 11, 200 completely straight to the grou the fall of the towers should’ witness accounts by reporters, fi engine was found at the But what’s more interesting chaotic and dramatic impact in history to collapse from fire. resistance. It seems odd and unn steel building, the upper sect they heard explosions right bef Onevenly May 4,and 1988, a 62-story bub vaporized. How cangrace. this collapsed onwith September 11, such towers only took ten seconds to away from their lower portio four floors for three hours. On 1000 degrees Celsius? in history to collapse from On May 4, 1988, a 62-story bu chaotic andmore dramatic impact, albfi completely straight to the isgro But what’s interesting t story building in Philadelphia What adds believability to four floors for three hours. Onth evenly and with such grace. resistance. It seems odd and u collapsed onaccounts September 11, 200 nineteen hours. On October 17 IfMay twelve tons of engine On 4, 1988, a 62-story witness by reporte story building in Philadelphia bw towers only took ten seconds in history to burned collapse from fire. Venezuela for over seO sent the fuselag fourshould’ve floors for three hours. they heard explosions right nineteen hours. On October 17 What adds believability to this chaotic and dramatic impact, floors. None of these buildings story building in reporters, Philadelph in Venezuela burned for over sefi witness accounts by evenly and with such grace. On May 4, 1988, a 62-story buP 13, 1975, before the North Tow Also, the damage to the nineteen hours. On Octobe But what’s floors. None ofmore theseinteresting buildings they heard explosions right bef four floors foronon three hours. fire broke out thenext eleventh fl the before windows to On the in Venezuela burned for ove collapsed September 11, 13,What 1975, the North Tow adds believability to th story building inthe Philadelphia bfifl nine through fourteen. Not eve wings or vertical stab floors. None of these buildin inbroke history to collapse from fire out on the eleventh But what’s more interesting is t witness accounts by reporter nineteen hours. On October 17 collapse from the fire. lawn, which means if a p 13, 1975, before the North T nine through fourteen. Not eve collapsed on burned September 11, 200 they heard explosions right b in Venezuela for over se the four-story building w fire broke out on eleven On May 4, 1988, 62-story collapse from the fire.athe in history toTower collapse from fire. floors. None of these buildings The South was the secon nine through fourteen. NotO four floors for three hours. But what’s more interesting 13, 1975, before the North Tow down. The plane hit the southe The FBI confiscated all ti collapse from the fire. story building in Philadelph The South Tower was the secon On May 4,out 1988, athe 62-story bu2fl collapsed onon September 11, fire broke eleventh happened and only five s nineteen hours. On Octobe down. The plane hit the southe four floors for three hours. On in history to collapse from fir ninein through Not eve The Southfourteen. Tower was theove seb Venezuela burned for story building in Philadelphia collapse from the fire. down.hours. The plane hit the sou floors. of these buildin nineteen On 17 On MayNone 4, 1988, aOctober 62-story Shanksville, PA 13, 1975, before the North T in Venezuela burned for over se four floors for three hours. O The South Tower was the secon Colonel Bob Maar said, “ fire None broke outthese onPhiladelphi the eleven floors. of buildings story building in down. The plane hit the southe the air to preserve lives o nine fourteen. Not 13,nineteen 1975,through before the North Tow hours. On October conte 93. This is inconsistent w from firecollapse broke out on the the fire. eleventh fl
The official report indicated the entire plane was vaporized. How can this be?
9
demolitions onthese how three they fell. The twin Towers each One theory based suggests buildings were planned completely collapsed in about ten seconds andTowers WTC7each in The Collapse WTC2 & WTC7 demolitions basedofonWTC1, how they fell. The twin about sixtheory and a half seconds Theseand were allplanned steel One suggests theseseconds. three buildings were completely collapsed in about ten seconds WTC7 in Did they throw away the locked structures and the towers were struck with planes in the What adds believability to this theory demolitions based on how they fell. The twin Towers about six and a half seconds seconds. These were all steel each The Collapse of WTC1, WTC2 & WTC7 higher floors. Gordon Ross, a mechanical engineer, stated doors from thestruck Triangle Shirtwaist completely collapsed inwere about ten seconds and WTC7 structures and the towers with planes in the in One theory these three buildings were planned the fall ofsix thesuggests towers should’ve been more asymmetrical. As a about and a half seconds seconds. These were all steel higher floors. Gordon Ross, a mechanical engineer, stated fire? Did they throw away the demolitions on should’ve how they fell. The twin Towers each steel building, the the upper sections would’ve twisted down anda and towers were struck with planes in the the structures fall of thebased towers been more asymmetrical. As gas can used at the Happy Land completely collapsed inportions. about seconds WTC7 in away fromfloors. their theand top felldown through, Gordon Ross,ten aInstead, mechanical engineer, stated steelhigher building, thelower upper sections would’ve twisted and about six and a half seconds seconds. These were all steel completely straight to the ground, taking the path of greatest the fall of the towers should’ve been more asymmetrical. social club fire? ... That’s what The Collapse of WTC1, WTC2 & WTC7 away from their lower portions. Instead, the top fell through,As a structures and the towers were struck with planes in the resistance. It seems odd and unnatural that two 110-story is the numerous eyewitness accounts that heard steel thetoupper sections would’ve twisted down and One building, theory suggests these three buildings were planned completely straight the ground, taking the path of greatest they’re doing at the World Trade higher floors. Gordon Ross, a to mechanical engineer, stated towers only ten seconds fallfell. this way. For such athrough, away from their lower portions. Instead, the top fell demolitions based on how they The twin Towers each resistance. It took seems odd and unnatural that two 110-story The Collapse of WTC1, WTC2 & WTC7 Center. The destruction and the fall of the towers should’ve been more asymmetrical. As chaotic and dramatic impact, all three fell too perfectly, straight tointhe ground, taking the path ofa greatest completely collapsed about tenthis seconds and WTC7 in a towers only took ten these seconds to buildings fall way. For such One theory suggests three were planned steel building, sections would’ve twisted down and evenly and such grace. resistance. Itthe seems odd that two removal ofand evidence must stop about sixwith and aupper halfimpact, seconds seconds. These were110-story alleach steel chaotic and dramatic allunnatural three fell too perfectly, demolitions based on how they fell. The twin Towers away from their lower portions. Instead, the topplanes fell towers took ten seconds tostruck fall this way. Forthrough, such structures and the towers were with ininthea evenly andonly with such grace. completely collapsed in about ten seconds and WTC7 immediately. The Collapse of WTC1, WTC2 & WTC7 completely straight to the ground, taking the path of greatest What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eyeAttack the Pentagon chaotic andat dramatic impact, three fellwere too perfectly, higher floors. Gordon Ross, aall mechanical engineer, stated about six and a half seconds seconds. These all steel One theory suggests these three buildings were planned -Bill Manning resistance. It seems odd and unnatural that two 110-story witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that The theory here questions whether a plane even hit the Why? Because evenly and with such grace. theadds fall and of the towers should’ve been more asymmetrical. AsPentagon. a What believability to thisthey theory is thetwin numerous eyestructures the towers were struck with planes in the demolitions based on how fell. The Towers each towers only took by ten seconds to falleach this way. For suchwhat athat was they heard explosions right tower collapsed. explosions right before there wasn’t really anybefore debris from aand plane and found was completely steel building, the upper sections would’ve twisted down and witness accounts reporters, firefighters civilians higher floors. Gordon Ross, a mechanical engineer, stated completely collapsed in about ten seconds and WTC7 in chaotic and dramatic impact, all three fell inconsistent with a Boeing 757. For example, thethrough, 757 has two engines – one under What adds believability to this theory istoo numerous eyeaway from their lower portions. Instead, theperfectly, top fell they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. the fall of the towers should’ve been more asymmetrical. As a about six and a half seconds seconds. These were all steel evenly and more withstraight such Butwitness what’s interesting isground, these three buildings that each wing. Each engine is about nine feet accounts bygrace. reporters, firefighters andwide, civilians thatfeet long and weighs six tons. completely to thewere taking the path oftwelve greatest steel building, the upper sections would’ve twisted down and structures and the towers struck with planes in the collapsed onmore September 11, 2001, arethree the only three buildings These engines are made from titanium, which burns at 1688 degrees Celsius. Jet they heard right before each tower collapsed. resistance. Itexplosions seems odd and unnatural that two 110-story But what’s interesting is these buildings that away from their lower portions. Instead, the top fell through, higher floors. Gordon Ross, a mechanical engineer, stated Gordon Ross What addson believability to this theory isthis the numerous eyein history to collapse from fire. fuel, when in an oxygenated environment will buildings burn degrees Celsius. Neither towers only took ten seconds to fall way. For such aatAs1000 collapsed September 11, 2001, are the only three completely straight to the ground, taking the path of greatest the fall of the towers should’ve been more asymmetrical. a ce.: plane was farentire dthe witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that engine was found at the site. In fact, the official report indicated e k But what’s more interesting is these three buildings that a What adds believability to this theory b chaotic and dramatic impact, all three fell too perfectly, f in history to collapse from resistance. Itexplosions seems odd andfire. unnatural that two 110-story hal building, the upper sections would’ve twisted down “and a e s they heard right before each tower collapsed. Onsteel May 4, 1988, a 62-story building in LA burned on vaporized. How can this be when its scientifically impossible for titanium to melt at p collapsed onwith September 11,to2001, are way. the only lla a buildings othree evenly and such grace. r csuch e towers only took ten seconds fall this For w away from their lower portions. Instead, the top fell through, o a mechanical engineer T each tower collapsed. n23, 1991 a 38four floors for three hours. On February 1000 degrees Celsius? wiLA Tin in history to collapse from fire. e h t On May 4, 1988, a 62-story building burned on f o chaotic andmore dramatic impact, three fell too nall completely straight to theioisground, taking theperfectly, paththat of But what’s interesting these three buildings story building in Philadelphia burned on 23, eight floors forgreatest stigatto e v What adds believability this theory is the numerous eye- eyewitness accounts that heard n i four floors for three hours. On February 1991 a 38is the numerous t nsuch odd evenly and with grace. resistance. It and unnatural that two 110-story reseems rSeptember u4, C collapsed on 11, 2001, are the only three buildings nineteen hours. On October 17, 2004, a 56-story building If twelve tons of engine went barreling through the Pentagon at 530 MPH, the inertia On May 1988, a 62-story building in LA burned on witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians story building in Philadelphia burned on eight floors for athat towers only took ten seconds to fall this way. For such in history to burned collapse from fire. Venezuela for over seventeen on1991 twenty-six sent the fuselage through the building, tearing on impact. fourshould’ve floors for three hours. On February 23, a eye38-was the they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. nineteen hours. On October 17, 2004, ahours 56-story building stated it oddwings and off unnatural What adds believability to this theory is the numerous chaotic and dramatic impact, all three fell too perfectly, floors. None of these buildings collapsed. Even ontwenty-six February story building in reporters, Philadelphia burnedhours on eight floors for in Venezuela burned for over seventeen on witness accounts by firefighters and civilians that evenly and with such grace. On May 4, 1988, a 62-story building in LA burned on 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a sprinkler system, Also, the damage to the Pentagon was a sixteen-foot in the outer wall. Not even nineteen hours. On October 2004, a 56-story building But what’s interesting is17, these three buildings thata holeexplosions floors. None ofmore these buildings collapsed. Even on February right before they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. four floors for three hours. On February 23, 1991 a 38fire broke out on the eleventh floor and spread from floors the windows next to the hole were damaged. There was no trace of damage from the in Venezuela burned for over seventeen hours on twenty-six collapsed on September 11, 2001, the only three buildings 13,What 1975,adds before the NorthtoTower hadare a sprinkler system, a believability this theory is the numerous eyestory building inthe Philadelphia burned on eight floors for nine through fourteen. Not even then, did the building wings or vertical stabilizer. Eyewitnesses even said there no marks the floors. None of these buildings collapsed. Even on February how were all three fell on perfectly inbroke history to collapse from fire. fire out on the eleventh floor and spread from floors But what’s more interesting is these three buildings that witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that nineteen hours. October 17, 2004, adid building collapse from theOn fire. lawn, which means if aeven plane hit, it56-story would’ve had to goafrom being airborne right into 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a the sprinkler system, nine through fourteen. Not then, building collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. in Venezuela burned for over seventeen hours on twenty-six four-story with absolute precision. firethe broke out on eleventh floor and spread fromeach floors On May 4, 1988, athe 62-story building in LA burned on collapse from the fire.building tower collapsed. in history to collapse from fire. floors. None of these buildings collapsed. Even on February Thenine South Tower was the second tower hit and the first to through fourteen. Not even then, did the building fourwhat’s floorsmore for three hours. On February 23, 1991 athat 38- go But interesting is these three buildings 13, 1975, before the North Tower had asurveillance sprinkler system, a go anyone knew what had down. The plane hit the corner allowing most of The FBI all the burned area tapes before collapse fromconfiscated the fire. story building in Philadelphia on eight floors for The South Tower was thesoutheast second tower hit and the first to ...evenly . . . and with such grace. On May 4, 1988, a 62-story building in LA burned on collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings fire broke out on the eleventh floor and spread from floors happened and only five shots were released, not one nineteen hours. 17, 2004,23, a 56-story building down. The for plane hitOn theOctober southeast corner allowing most of showing a clear image of a plane. four floors three hours. On February 1991 a 38in history to collapse from fire. ninein through Not even then, did hours the The Southfourteen. Tower was theover second tower hit building and Venezuela burned for seventeen onthe twenty-six story building in Philadelphia burned on eight floors forfirst to go collapse from the fire. down.hours. The plane hit the southeast corner allowing most of floors. of these buildings collapsed. on February nineteen On 17, 2004, ain56-story building On MayNone 4, 1988, aOctober 62-story building LAEven burned on Shanksville, PA 13, 1975, before the North Tower had a sprinkler system, a in Venezuela burned for over seventeen hours on twenty-six four floors for three hours. On February 23, 1991 a 38The South Tower was the second tower hit and the first to go Colonel Bob Maar said, “The words I remember clear fire None broke outthese onPhiladelphia the eleventh floor and spread from for floorsas day are, we will take lives in floors. of buildings collapsed. Even on February story building in burned on eight floors down.the Theairplane hit the southeast corner allowing of about military tracking of flight to preserve lives on the ground,” whenmost talking
steel building, the upper sections would’ve twisted down and away from their lower portions. Instead, the top fell through, completely straight to the ground, taking the path of greatest resistance. It seems odd and unnatural that two 110-story towers only took ten seconds to fall this way. For such a chaotic and dramatic impact, all three fell too perfectly, evenly and with such grace. What adds believability to this theory is the numerous eye-witness accounts by reporters, firefighters and civilians that they heard explosions right before each tower collapsed. But what’s more interesting is these three buildings that collapsed on September 11, 2001, are the only three buildings in history to collapse from fire. On May 4, 1988, a 62-story building in LA burned on four floors for d e three hours. On February 23, 1991 a 38-story building in n C7 re plan s each T Philadelphia burned on eight floors for nineteen hours. On e r &W s w we C2 uilding win To TC7 in October 17, 2004, a 56-story building in Venezuela burned T 1,W hree b . The t and W ll steel C for over seventeen hours on twenty-six floors. None of these T t a ll s f W s these they fe second were in the o buildings collapsed. Even on February 13, 1975, before the e e en nes hes laps gest ow ated s a Col ry sug d on h about t nds. T ith pla eer, st al. ANorth Tower had a sprinkler system, a fire broke out on the e h o w engin etr ic c T eo base n e i h k s t c and d s eleventh floor and spread from floors nine through fourteen. s u e On olition collapse second ere str hanical asymm down gh, d f e u Not even c w l e r m y de pletel d a ha wers , a me n mo twist ll thro test then, did the building collapse from the fire. o s e e e rea South Tower was the second tower hit and the first to go com t six an d the t n Ros ’ve be ould’v e top f of gThe o n u ld tory The plane hit the southeast corner allowing most of abo tures a s. Gord s shou tions w tead, th he path 0-sdown. s c t r c r stru er floo e towe pper se ions. In taking two 11 such a enly v t t , h u h hig all of t g, the er por round ral tha ay. For ectly, e ry is f f g u the buildin heir low to the unnat ll this w oo per is theo ers t h l t t d stee from straight dd an ds to fa ree fell ity to t refigh o fi l y awa pletely seems n secon t, all th lievabi orters, re each e e c t e e com ance. I took t c impa adds b s by rep ht befo ese thr nly Th t i t g t e resis rs only dramat . Wha ccoun ions r i ng is th re the o , On Colla 4 a s ps i e e e tow tic and ch grac itness explo interest 2001, a n May dem theory e of W r d w , o r u o e a O o 1 a TC su 1 li sf . or ch with s us eye ey he ’s m tember om fire r floor g incompl tions b ggests t 1,WT t h o t d a r n e t h u e r a C2 p f o m in abOonu tely ased o hese ha ut w f e t u e d S l s n s n i & p the civilian sed. B sed on colla r ned o ory bu ourstsr. u dt six a collap n how three b WTC s h o t p e n u p and r colla at colla istory t LA b a 38-s neteen ahbigur nctureesse d a ha ed in a they f uilding 7 b l e a n h e l 1 h s i i tow ings th gs in h ilding 3, 199 s for n enezue thnee oefrt floeo nd the f secon out ten ll. The were p n d r 2 d t o falle th rs. G tow r of he or buil buildi tory bu ruary ht floo ing in V ors. N ers s secon second win To lanned s o t f e e e t b e d s t w we o g sa ds ere 5, bl buutilodn he nto. w on R thre , a 62- On Fe on ei ry build y-six fl 19a7w stru . These nd WT rs each e ers o i a . o d 8 e , s n t s y t o e s 8 3 r t g n r e c , s 1 corok fromfou , the e C7 u kw am wer r n 56sho 19 bm h e in ec it u e ho a bu n tw uary a u thre delphi 2004, ours o n Febr , a fireres thrpoluegtelyfirteh.eir loo gopper s ld’ve be hanica h plane all stee , h ecti l m l la e istan the strarst t wer ons en mo engin s in the Phi ber 17 nteen Even o r syste rs ntionw c fi i p m g e o f . e h o e r r e r e o Ih o . w to Oct ver sev llapsed spr inkl om flo llcahpsae ferst oannld tt seemmost to the tions. I ould’v e asym er, state i r nste y g s od o o d e tw metr gro d witnoo for ings co r had a pread f ding c anow eortihc a s d t d wier aanlldo dr k ten and u und, ta d, the isted d ical. As e il l i u d d w u b o n n k t s n b a T co thte cnor th suc amati econ nnatu ing t op fe own r a d the h e t o s r o a he p ll th ra No nth fl en, di as the thaenads umer h gra c imp ds to rou nd at u fa l tha e o a c elev even th ower w t the so tow civilia us eye e. Wh ct, all t ll this t two 1 h of gr gh, e n a h w T i 1 t w a e t s No South lane h buil r colla that th itness adds b ree fell ay. For 0-story test p p d e a t The n. The thre ings th sed. B ey hear ccoun lievabi oo per such a t u f l e d dow 198 buildi at colla t what explo s by rep ity to t ectly, e v 8 p h ’s n s thre , a 62- gs in h sed on more ions r i orters, is theo enly g s e fi Phi hours tory bu istory t Septem interest ht befo refigh ry is lade t . On o i e i r n b ld e r lphi Oct Feb ing in collaps er 11, 2 g is the each s a o e s 001 LA for ber 17 bur ne ruary , a e thre bu from o 2 d , buil ver sev 2004, on ei 3, 199 r ned o fire. O re the o e g 1 a d n e Nor ings co nteen 56-sto ht floo a 38-s four fl n May nly r h t 4 elev7 th Towlannlleadpsedh ours o ry build s for n ory bu oors fo , i e . il e n r n c p i r E C n n a e t To ethrefl o erhsaed a ven o wenty g in V teen h ding in WN ene our r an 7 inspr in n Feb -six veinn Toow 2 & Tldhingt sew C z s. O ue T fl i e ruar th n TCd sperl kler e bu TheSotw s y 13 oors. N la bur n n 1,W , d ste ead u deW TC e thre edlol.w fro ystem on ,1 ed n dsthanTo aildl t of Wsts thes they f seco. Tnhesep wewreer swin htehebudil m floo , a fire 975, b e of th e s e p d e a b n e l e rs n e h an an s t tat in a la sugge ow ut te ine roke o fore th se Col ds. T h ple hi er, she s As g co o on h The theory based d in ab s secon ck wit engintetheetsroicael.coanndd llapse throug ut on e s u e thnea t,ower from t h fou the On olition collapse second ere str hanical asymm douw h h rtee stg h e d f e n. dem pletely d a hal wers w , a mec n mor twiste ll throu tceosrt ner it and t fire. o s h a e e e allo com t six an d the t n Ros ’ve be ould’v e top f of gre win e first d o n t u l g h h w y o d a t t o u r r s a m , s b o go o o n p d e a ost 0-st stea ctio the rs sh ctur rs. G of stru er floo e towe pper se ions. In taking two 11 such a enly v t t , h high all of t g, the u er por round ral tha ay. For ectly, e ry is f f g u the buildin heir low to the unnat ll this w oo per is theo ers l t d ll hte to th fight stee from straight dd an ds to fa ree feT ty o fire liC y awa pletely seems n secon t, all th lieOvanbei t oorltlearps, re each e ed c t s e re com ance. I took t c impa adds b sebmyorepheohrtybeefoofeW se th only t l g i ct t e resis rs only dramat . Wha ccoaunomipolnsitriionsng sius gtghe re T thC a s 1 4, i e e e t a s b b c o tow tic and ch gra itness sexpol ut inteterleys c 2a0s0e1d, tsnthMe ay,WT dt s w , o n h orses ftohr C2 & cha with su us eye- ey hearh rmuoctrue ixbearn1d1ollafiprse. oO rne o ’s r WT e i fl t es roamhal foduirn lw and umero that th t whtha ghSerptem tg i e b nf s n ai dinhey f nuildi C7 u fl asendf elld. ngs the civilian sed. B sestd oenfall cololaoprs r ntehde ot osercyobu bouoturs. O . h n o t e T p e p te n w erly t of th buGo 38-oswe eedns and r colla at colla aw selac bunr sechehsee tw ere p e 1 a rdo inrest isto bu n LA e tow ings th gs incoh ialydifnrog ildi3n,g1, 99towes rfornnRoenweezruee onnedos.f t oneds in To lanne n d r 2 m o Th buil buildi toreys bu plreut army theht tflhoeou ins gshionuVsso, ras.mNstruecfkore theshe e and W wers e d e s t isFtaeb ely eig ir l uildppe x flldo’ TC ach thre , a 62- toO o v 5e,cb woin we . wn ncde on stra ry bweenr ty-rsisec1t 3, e19b7eekheaonuict tuhrtpelean.re all 7 in 8 afloe poarry ion bron 198 houcrsha beursr noe . I5t6s-estoighttw nes ste t m h n e n a a e e n s t o u o e i g e , o i r l r thr dealnpdh ti2c0a04 y tooursms on Fetbhe ,oansfi. wtohurou orefiare. gineo gion th l , n h d l gm I la t t er, st e rsm Phi thbeer 1w7ithnteedndra Ekvetneno dr asynsdte rorusnninnesteoa mdt’vhee t esyfim a f t e r e o d o e o . w d h m n s l f e t v t e upchsed atir inksecom fluonn ap,steak ,atnhd isteost tr ic d Ocandverusm a p c frond coalltu hinit e tong md d al. ned ach r o civigls ceorollus hadgracse eiam s tfow ow As a raelr g tlhowi p f lan n i . r d pa ingto w 7 e p rs e buibueilrdcio Taonws ethr eyaen-dwsp Wehbauicldt, alol ndfatlol t r ntheartatl e pat ell thr n and TC s wer owe 7 in ldinorthllap ooatr wo h of oug itnth t eadsec thrst cohis C T W d l t i t e w fl g h e s a e h,ed T h, 11 ss th ds he e gr re N gs th ed a 2 & ldin twin W l ste 198 e bueilevethnat en .thBeun yerhewaa acecosuoutbelie fell to y. For 0-sto eates TC e bui The s and re al the d t ldint evcoll Totww irtd teh nts vab ry su 8 o o gs utahps nheath xp by ility perfe ch a 1,W thre fell. cond se we nes in state As a three , a 62N o l ’s e a C i o l S . n r d , y e e s e pla eer ical nd Ph T hihs e p on mor sion epo to th ctly, il hou Ttohre T W hes the n s Th a of sts t how ut te nds. with engin metr own gOh,ct adelp rs. Odnoywbnu. il tory t Septe e inte s r igh rters, is the evenl y fi o h d o o t r k o m u o l m d pse ge lla y sug ed on in ab ds sec struc anica e asy sted throforatoest ber 1 ia bur Febru ing in colla ber esting befor refigh ry is o 11 ps e te ary is L as or twi fell bgure ver 7, 2 ne ed on re e C or ch 23, A bu e from , 2001 these each rs Th e the ions b ollaps lf sec rs we a me en m d’ve top h oNf ioldryin seven 004, d on r e 1 g On olit ely c a ha towe oss, ’ve be woul , the e pat e1l 0-osrtth Ta s conlly teen a 56- ight 991 ned o fire. , are t three s h a l fl n h dem plet x and the don R ould ions stead ng th woN1 evseuncth yo, w eveer yaips sed ours tory b oors 38-s four On M e onl n ki d t m r h t t i l . r h f I o h u c o t s r n o s o E o t . o fl t e c a i n a a c ut es ldin r ni ory b floor ay 4, y G ers er s ions d, t l tha T . F eevrfee tohoero erds a ven t y w . o s a r h n s u n g e s o t ab ctu oor tow upp ort oun ura is w d toeo Spou thitshenfighand sp pr ink n Fe nty-s in Ve eteen ilding for t bru ix stru her fl f the , the wer p he gr unna all th elol w n. y toth ,Tfire , daicdh rea ler fl nez hou in f a o hig fall lding eir lo t to t and s to f hree abilitThrteerps oowreere thtrheee lyd from system ry 13 oors. uela b rs. O i the el bu m th raigh odd cond , all t eliev repo t bleafnehesewas et obnuildi floo , a fir , 197 None ur ne n h 5 s ste ay fro ely st eem en se pact dds b ts by s r igh g is t airteththe haey s4e,c ng co rs nin e bro , befo of th d s t a aw plet e. It ook tic im hat coun sion restin 001, n Msosuftor ond t llapse e thro ke ou re th ese o te m c t h e t o a c O l r 2 f u a W o e w r n , p o n y o . g m c ista er h on t m in 11 nl re ex ra ce. ess flo g i ast res ers o and d h gra witn eard more ber om fi four ildin s. Ocnor ne hit an the fi fourte he r en. tow otic suc s eye hey h hat’s eptem pse fr d on ry bu hou r ned ser allo d the re. h win fi cha wit erou that t ut w on S colla ur ne 8-sto eteen ela bu f the g m rst to ost g and num lians ed. B apsed ry to LA b 1 a 3 r nin nezu one o e the e of o s i r e l 9 e o h l o n N v p f 9 o t h t t ci lla t co his g i ,1 rs in V rs. bef on n. and er co tha s in ildin y 23 floo ing floo 75, ut rtee
Gordon Ross a mechanical engineer Evidence Destroyed Examination Usually crime scenes are taped off, fully investigated and evidence documented. But in an article in Providing he 125 year-old Fire Engineering by report Themagazine official Alternate editor Bill Manning refers to the current stated ithewas odd andthen unnatural Theories nvestigation of the Twin Tower collapsesindicated as, “a half- the What baked On farce.” Four companies were contracted in entire plane was Really New York City for debris removal. It happened strict supervision GPS were eunder official reportand how allunits three fellinstalled perfectly Happened vaporized. How n every truck. One guy was said to have taken too According the indicated can this be? ong of a lunch break and was removed immediately. To Civilians This allowed for no independent investigation,
One person’s closure ntire plane was is another’s ...evenly . . . and with such grace. aporized. How The official report doubt. can this be?
?
as the debris was shipped overseas for melting. Understandably so, it would’ve been a constant reminder of recent events, but still a little strange. The remnants could’ve been taken somewhere for analysis or a privacy fence could’ve gone up around he site. We have to learn from incidents through nvestigation to determine what types of codes hould be in place and what are the best practices or high-rise construction,” Manning told the Daily
indicated the entire plane was vaporized. How
Theory #4: U.S. Government Destroys Evidence at the One Site That Has Any Usually crime scenes are taped off, fully investigated and evidence documented. But in an article in the 125 year-old Fire Engineering magazine by editor Bill Manning he refers to the then current investigation of the Twin Tower collapses as, “a half-baked farce.” Four companies were contracted in New York City for debris removal. It happened under strict supervision and GPS units were installed in every truck. One guy was said to have taken too long of a lunch break and was removed immediately. This allowed for no independent investigation, as the debris was shipped overseas for melting. Understandably so, it would’ve been a constant reminder of recent events, but still a little strange. The remnants could’ve been taken somewhere for analysis or a privacy fence could’ve gone up around the site. “We have to learn from incidents through investigation to determine what types of codes should be in place and what are the best practices for high-rise construction,” Manning told the Daily News. “The World Trade Center is not the only lightweight, core construction high-rise in the U.S. It’s a typical method of construction.” Fear. Perhaps that’s why these questions have yet to be answered. When the wounds were fresh, the answers given were acceptable. One, because we were all in shock, any information seemed to pacify us and two, you would’ve been deemed unpatriotic to stand up and go against what was being said. There was such a surge of camaraderie after the dust settled and that fear was keeping the media from asking the toughest of the tough questions. We just want answers.We still haven’t gotten them so our search presses on. If the government has nothing to hide, then why won’t they address and explain these specific inquiries? Terrorist attack or our own country’s betrayal, the devastation that happened on September 11, 2001 still occurred. Do we have a right to the truth? Absolutely. The truth won’t undo the pain but at this point it has the potential to help some of us move on.
Fear. Perhaps that’s why these questions have yet to be answered.
CONTE 13
new york The Aftermath of 911
1,609 Number of people who lost a spouse or partner in the attacks
14
conte
20
Percentage of Americans who knew someone hurt or killed in the attacks
18 CONTE
16
conte
1,402
Number of employees who died in Tower One
19,858 Body parts found
Portraits
P o rtr ai ts
David At the time I was living in Manhattan and was going to work. When I got to Broadway, I saw a black cloud. It didn’t look like smoke to me, because it was so incredibly thick. I was about three blocks from my office when this woman came walking towards me and was looking right at me. When I looked at her, she just looked a little off. She’s said, “I just saw a plane hit the world trade center.” I didn’t know what to make of it. She looked like a normal person. She didn’t look crazy. She was very attractive. I didn’t say anything and I kept walking. Based on that, I didn’t go into my office right away. I walked another extra block or two to get to West Broadway because I knew you could see the buildings. When I got there, there was this gaping hole with smoke pouring out of it. I jogged back to my office and while talking to my sister on the phone - That’s when the second plane hit and I saw this enormous fireball fill the sky. My closest friend at the office and I went down to the street and saw the second gaping hole and the fire and everything coming out. We stood there for the next hour and a half and the streets filled with people. All the rumors were going. Some cars had stopped and had the radio playing and that’s where we heard the pentagon had been hit. It was absolutely awful standing there watching this happen and as the hour and a half went on and they both fell. The streets were packed with people just watching in shock. After that, I walked back home. As I was walking up, you’d see all the people covered with soot. They looked like ghosts walking up the street, covered with the dust. You didn’t know what it was at the time, then when you got home and watched TV you found out what it was.
CONTE 27
“As I was walking up, you would see all the people covered with the soot.They looked like ghosts walking up the street, covered with dust.�
P o rtr ai ts
Katie It was the closest I’d ever felt to feeling like I was going crazy. I was late for school that day so my aunt was driving me in. There were so many people everywhere, just going ape shit. It was so surreal. You almost felt like you were looking at yourself and it wasn’t actually happening to you, but it was. People were just hysterical and going out of their minds. You feel like you’re in the crazy house. Like it’s a fucking movie or something. When the second plane hit, you just ran. You try to call people and phones don’t work. We tried to get in the car again but there was absolutely no way you could get out of there. So we walked miles back to the Bronx to let everyone know we were okay. Everyone I know lost someone important that day. In a morning, your whole life changed. I’d never been so scared before. I lost a lot of friends and my friend’s brother who was a volunteer firefighter. He died saving people, and people remember him – he was the boy in the red bandana that saved all these people. We didn’t find out about it till much later. I remember sitting there with my friend just waiting for a call and it never comes and you kind of know what happened by then. There was this girl that I really, really loved a lot. Like I said there were so many people and when the second tower was hit, she was running away. People just trampled the fuck out of her. They just crushed her like a car. I remember going to the hospital and she was like, I know I’m going to die. All her ribs were just totally shattered and all her organs were failing. I felt like this is a conversation I’d have with the person I really love when I’m eighty. I was seventeen at the time. I just told her I’ve always loved you. She said, “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I’m supposed to get married and I’m supposed to have the kids, the dogs, the house.” I told her when you make it out of here, I’m going to marry you and we’re going to have a house and I’ll do all that other crap too. She died two days later from organ failure and it was probably the worst day of my life.
CONTE 31
Po rt r a i t s
Frank I was out on the Island. I got to work just before it happened so I didn’t hear it on the radio. As people were coming into work, they were talking about it. They said the plane had hit the Trade Center. So I thought, its happened before…so I didn’t think it was a big deal. Then ten minutes later, someone said, “Another plane hit.” Five minutes later, someone said, “We’re getting attacked.” But that was it. That was all I pretty much heard or saw about it for most of the day. We just basically sat there wondering what the hell was going on, not having a clue. I didn’t know anything about it until 2:30 in the afternoon, when I went to lunch. I went to a bar because I knew they had a TV. That was the first I saw of it. The first thing that popped into my mind was, wow, what amazing graphics, because it just seemed like a movie. It was just so surreal to even believe that that was what happened. We went home at four. When I was in my car on the way home, every single radio station that I put on was talk. There was no music. That was when it really started to hit me it was pretty serious. My dad is a volunteer fireman for Port Jefferson, about an hour out of the city. A lot of the volunteers out there are also city firemen and were some of the first to respond. They got stopped a few blocks away from the trade center while they were still up. They didn’t know what was going on so they were just holding everybody back. My dad’s truck was waiting so long, the guys got off to see what was going on and figure out what they could do. By this time, there was a line of trucks. When they finally started waving them on, there was a bunch of trucks behind them that just arrived, so they were ready. My dad’s crew wound up going in much later than the other trucks. The trucks that had gone in front of my dad’s were the ones that got crushed when the towers fell. There was one guy, I still don’t think he’s back to normal. The next day, when he went back, was put on eyeball detail and he just walked around with a bag and a long pincher, picking up eyeballs. People were put on head detail, arm detail, leg detail.
32 CONTE
P o rtr ai ts
Andrea when I turned on my shower, it came out and the water was red. I was working in an office building in Times Square. People started getting calls on their cell phones, as there were a lot of us from out of town. I was living in Atlanta but I was working in New York throughout the year. They’d heard a plane had crashed into a building. Instinctually, I called my mother in Atlanta. She was hysterical and that’s when I knew something really awful had happened. Then all the grids started jamming and we couldn’t get on the Internet. We heard a plane crashed into the Pentagon, and I thought: oh shit, we’re under attack! I had a moment when I saw the smoke coming up and I was thinking all hell is getting ready to break loose. I thought I might die and I haven’t experienced true love. I feel bad because I wasn’t thinking about all the other people that were involved at that point but in that split second, I remember thinking that. We walked around a lot - that day and the next day. What really stands out in my mind are the police officers, firemen and everyone on duty. How tired, and drained and just how awful everyone looked. In particular, I remember this one firehouse. These two firemen were just sitting there staring into nothing and people were already putting out flowers and they just weren’t moving. We were trying to book a flight to get back to Atlanta. One minute you could fly and the next you couldn’t, so we ended up taking Amtrak back the third day. I met up with some other coworkers who took in this woman who was at ground zero. She didn’t sleep the whole train ride. She was just a wreck, obviously. When we got to Atlanta, she ran off the train. She came back screaming, “They’re not here, they’re not here,” meaning whoever was meeting her. She literally fell on me and just started sobbing hysterically. When I got [to Atlanta] there were so many fire engines and all that kind of stuff. The first couple of days I would just burst out into tears every time I heard a siren.
27
conte
CONTE 35
“As I was walking up, you would see all the people covered with the soot.They looked like ghosts walking up the street, covered with dust.�