September 11, 2001, remains etched in the memory of the world as a day of profound tragedy and resilience. For those who were in New York City, particularly at the World Trade Center complex, the day unfolded in a series of terrifying and unforgettable moments. Bob Swierupski, a CBP employee working in 6 World Trade Center, offers a firsthand account of his experience, providing a ground-level perspective of the chaos, confusion, and eventual escape from the shadow of the Twin Towers. His story answers the question “Where Were The Twin Towers?” by placing us directly into the heart of the events as they unfolded around these iconic landmarks.
It began with a sound unlike any other. “It was the loudest bang I ever heard,” Bob recalls, emphasizing the sheer force of the initial impact. Working on the fourth floor of 6 World Trade Center, the immediate aftermath was shrouded in uncertainty. The reverberating sound, lasting for what felt like an eternity, was followed by the unsettling sight of debris falling past his window. Even before any official alarm, the memory of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing prompted Bob and his colleagues in the National Commodity Specialist Division to initiate their own evacuation. This prior experience ingrained a sense of vigilance and preparedness, a stark reminder of the World Trade Center’s vulnerability.
Leaving their offices, they joined a growing stream of people heading towards the exits. As they navigated the hallways, a moment of ordinary life intruded upon the unfolding catastrophe. One colleague, in a quintessentially human reaction, turned back, declaring, “I have to go back; I forgot to turn off the coffee pot.” This small detail underscores the surreal juxtaposition of normalcy and terror that characterized the early moments of 9/11.
Emerging from 6 World Trade Center near 7 World Trade Center, the physical reality of the disaster became impossible to ignore. Chunks of concrete and twisted metal littered the ground, transforming the familiar landscape into a hazardous terrain. Seeking safety amidst the unknown, Bob entered the lobby of 7 World Trade Center. However, this offered only a brief respite. Soon, the lobby swelled with evacuees from 7 WTC itself, signaling a widening circle of danger. Then, another deafening explosion ripped through the air. This second blast shattered any remaining semblance of calm, replaced by an urgent need to escape. Building management swiftly opened emergency exits, pushing everyone out into the open air.
It was then, standing close to the base of the North Tower, that Bob witnessed the horrifying truth. Looking up, he saw “what appeared to be the outline of a plane right through the side of the building.” The sheer scale of the devastation began to dawn on him. Communication lines were down; his cell phone was useless. Desperate to contact his headquarters, he sought help from a medical doctor standing in a nearby doorway. Using the doctor’s phone, he finally reached his supervisor, uttering the stark message, “we have a problem here in New York.” The response confirmed his worst fears: “you sure do, we’re under attack.” The directive was clear: “Tell your people to try to get home as fast as possible.”
Amidst the growing chaos, Bob attempted to regroup with his colleagues, but the sheer volume of people fleeing the area made it impossible. After waiting for thirty minutes, he decided to begin the long walk home to Penn Station. West Broadway was a scene of stark contrasts. As streams of people evacuated downtown Manhattan, wave after wave of New York City firefighters surged towards the disaster. Bob was walking against the tide, witnessing an awe-inspiring display of courage and duty. He saw “wave after wave of New York City firemen rushing to get to the towers,” a constant stream of firefighting vehicles and private cars carrying more first responders. Walking in the street alongside these brave individuals, Bob was struck by their “fearless intensity,” their unwavering commitment to “put out the fire and save lives.” This powerful image of first responders heading into danger while everyone else fled encapsulates the spirit of heroism that emerged from the tragedy.
Reaching Penn Station after an arduous walk, Bob found it closed, streets outside packed with stranded commuters. In a stroke of chance, he encountered a colleague. Seeking information and a way to contact family, they entered the Hotel New Yorker. There, the unfolding catastrophe was broadcast on a large screen TV. Bob watched in disbelief as “tower two had collapsed.” The reality was far worse than he had imagined. Standing near the towers earlier, he had hoped the worst was over. The collapse of the towers was an unimaginable escalation, a moment that amplified the scale of loss and devastation. “All those people, all the firemen, police…” the thought trailed off, heavy with unspoken grief and concern.
The realization that 6 World Trade Center was directly beneath the North Tower brought a new wave of anxiety. “Since 6 World Trade Center was right under tower one I knew then that we probably lost our building.” Questions raced through his mind: “Did everyone get out? Where will we go? Was everything lost? What will become of our division?” Finally able to make a phone call, he left a message for his wife, simply stating he was safe but unsure when he would get home.
Leaving the hotel and returning to Penn Station, a glimmer of hope appeared – a subway train rumbling to life. An E train to Jamaica offered a route home. Arriving home around 4 p.m., the television confirmed the full extent of the disaster. “I was shocked; both towers gone, our building destroyed and 7 World Trade Center burning.” The day’s events replayed on screen, cementing the profound loss and the altered landscape of the city.
The following morning, the focus shifted to recovery. At a meeting at JFK Airport, the immediate priority was accounting for all World Trade Center employees. Plans for relocation were swiftly initiated. Bob’s supervisors worked tirelessly to keep everyone informed and connected during the uncertain aftermath. For days, Bob was on call, relaying information and contributing to the nascent recovery efforts.
In a surreal turn of events, two days after 9/11, Bob received an unexpected call from The New York Times. A woman in Brooklyn had found a singed Ruling Letter signed by Bob in her backyard. Carried by the immense air currents generated by the tower collapse, the letter had traveled across the East River. Disturbed by her find, she contacted the Times, hoping to learn if Bob had survived. This extraordinary detail highlights the immense force of the collapsing towers and the far-reaching impact of the event. The New York Times story, reporting Bob’s survival, became a testament to personal resilience amidst widespread loss.
The weeks that followed demonstrated remarkable resilience and collaboration. Through the concerted efforts of various Customs Service offices, a new temporary office at One Penn Plaza was established with incredible speed. Despite its initial warehouse-like condition, the space was quickly equipped with essential technology and supplies. On October 9th, employees were asked to report to the new location. Despite the trauma and loss, and despite eligibility for retirement for some, everyone returned. The reunion in the temporary conference room was “one of the happiest days of my near-forty year career.” Even with the loss of crucial files and resources, the team was ready to resume their duties. The dedication and professionalism of Bob’s colleagues ensured a swift return to operational capacity, a powerful testament to human spirit in the face of adversity. Bob Swierupski’s account not only answers “where were the Twin Towers?” on 9/11 but also provides a powerful and personal insight into the events of that day and the enduring human qualities of resilience and dedication that emerged in its aftermath.
