September 11th, 2001  Date: 9/23/01 1:39:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time  From:  Christina Wasington, NYC Correction Officer  To:  Ralph E. Smith, The Guardian Chronicle Publication My experience of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, began like any other work day in the NYC Department of Correction Central Office of Procurement located at 17 Battery Place. That is until a co-worker came into the office screaming that "A plan just hit the World Trade Center!" Upon arriving downstairs with several other uniform staff from Correction true enough, there was a gaping hole and a fireball in one of the towers of the World Trade Center. We all witnessed the second strike of a 21st century war as a second plane dipped and flew straight into another tower of the World Trade Center! Many of the uniform staff members from units - AIU, CARE, COP assigned to 17 Battery Place moved into action. We evacuated the buildings of 17 Battery Place and 2 Washington Street, instructed people to seek refuse in the America Restaurant in Battery Park, directed traffic and detoured buses, trucks, and autos away from the West Side highway area to safer routes. Then a huge roaring sound was heard, as I and several of my bothers and sisters in Correction turned we witness the collapse of the World Trade Center, a giant gray cloud was coming our way, we had no idea what was behind it!  We yelled for people to run into Battery Park!  The smoke caught up to use, choking and having a hard time breathing we realized we might die right there. However myself and the other uniform members of the department kept assisting the citizens and tourist to a safe haven. We were covered in white ash. My shoes and uniform were ruined, my hair was gray and stiff and my skin burned and etched, my eyes were beet red from irritation and my skin itched. However, for the next five to six hours the uniform staff wandered around helping people and fellow co-workers who were numb by what there had witnessed.  We formed groups and instructed people on how to get were they needed to go. Then when we had completed securing the safely for the others, we than made our attempts to get home. I haven't really slept must during the days that have followed - loud noises seem to frighten me, even the sound of the telephone ringing makes me jump. But everyday since this horror I have returned to work. We all have family, friends, neighbors and co-workers in need of comfort from this event. Some have lost loved ones, many may be dealing with the trauma and quilt of having witnessed the horror of Tuesday, September 11th. Just about everyone can use a sympathetic ear and the consolation of a simple human touch to ease their anxieties. Love and God Bless Christina

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