NEVER FORGET- 9/11/01 -
Mark Everett Kelly worked as a researcher on ESPN on September 11, 2001.
It is 7:46 AM EST as I write this on September 11, 2019. I cannot believe that 18 years have gone by since one of the worst days in American history changed our lives forever. I am proud to be a resident of Long Island, and in the fighting spirit of born New Yorkers.
Mark Everett Kelly, a 27-year old knucklehead, was the researcher for the 6 PM SportsCenter. In my second year with the company, I loved working with anchors like the late, great Stuart Scott, Trey Wingo, Dan Patrick, David Lloyd, Brian Kenny, John Anderson, John Buccigross, Kenny Mayne, Neil Everett, and Stan Verrett, etc.
I never listened to anything current, getting prepared in the morning for work. I slept as long as possible before showering and heading in.
My drive from Rocky Hill, CT, to Bristol was about 20 minutes, of which I just listened to Cds. When I entered the second-floor newsroom in old Building 2 at the ESPN campus, I saw the North Tower of the Twin Towers look like a cigarette.
I first saw my friend Traci Mack, a brilliant young girl and recent graduate from UCLA, staring at many TVs. I asked her what was going on, and she said that "it looks like a plane hit the North Tower" she was a little shocked, but not shaken. I stared at the TV with her and continued to talk when we both saw the second plane circling the South Tower and BOOM!!
Traci immediately put both her hands over her mouth and let out a scream. I was shocked and unaware of what I saw was real. I initially thought it was a replay of the first plane hitting the North Tower, but now I saw both buildings lit up with smoke protruding. I kept saying to myself, "Oh my God, Oh my God..."
I immediately thought of my dad, who worked in a building close to the World Trade Center. My call went unanswered. None of us knew at 9:04 AM, a minute after the second plane hit, what exactly was happening or the overall picture.
Ultimately Traci and I and the rest of the researchers who were there that morning watched the first tower fall at 9:59 AM, and the second one falls 30 minutes later. The shock of viewing these events and what it meant was so terrifying at that time. We had no idea if we would be safe or what else was coming. Later in the morning, we heard of the Pentagon's attack and United Airlines Flight 93 going down in Pennsylvania.
I DO NOT wish to entertain conspiracy theories or who ultimately was behind such a cowardly act. My point in posting this is to honor the victims that had their life so cruelly taken that morning.
I think of the countless families that posted photos looking for their family members stuck in the North and South Towers. My heart goes out to all the families whose lives were forever changed that day. I want to thank and remember all the countless volunteers who spent the next few months cleaning the area. Many of them died as well from the horrible air they took in.
As the day proceeded, management encouraged whoever needed to go home and tend to their families, to do so. Since I was just a single 27-year old, I stayed at work to assist others and finish my shift.
The 6 PM SportsCenter was not canceled, but we had minimal show responsibilities since every possible sports story was now meaningless as we looked for answers as a Nation under attack. Right before heading home, I heard from my mom who told me my dad was fine. He was initially stuck in a subway when the second plane hit, but he and other passengers could pry the doors open and make their way to the Brooklyn Bridge. He then walked across the bridge to Brooklyn about 30 minutes before the towers collapsed.
I will never forget that day or the fear I felt of the unknown of what would happen to us. I feared that ESPN would be a target, but obviously, it wasn't. That day forever changed all the security measures everywhere. Employees at ESPN now had just one place to enter the campus, and we had to show ID and our employee badge.
While you go about your day today, please say a prayer for all the victims and their families along with the many police, firemen, military and regular citizens who are REAL examples of heroes who also gave their lives rushing to help others.
The insane separation we now have in this country as far as politics and where we stand on social issues, really breaks my heart. I despise how groups place labels on each other, and our sensitivity is off the charts. While being sensitive to others' needs and wanting to helps those suffering injustice is always something we should hold sacred, most of the time, that is not where I see sensitivity shown.
As we honor those who gave their lives today, please remember to respect others who think differently because of MANY reasons. Give others the same respect you desire.
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I can always be reached by email (CKMagicSports@gmail or MEKelly@CKMagicSports.com). Please see the links below to follow me or contact me on social sites. I welcome (need) more followers and supporters. Please don't be shy about sharing your thoughts.
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