We will not falter, we will not fail

09.08.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Patrick Moes 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Patrick N. Moes and Spc. Chris Jones
40th PAD

Staff Sgt. Ruihu Wu is a member of the 436th Movement Control Battalion, an Army Reserve unit based in New York. He is currently deployed to Kuwait, assigned to the 143rd Transportation Command. On Sept. 11, 2001, Wu was working at a law firm in New York City, one building away from the World Trade Center towers. Five years later, this is what he has to say.

Where were you during the attacks?

One building over. Right across the street. I usually got to work at about 7 a.m., so I was there about an hour before the first plane hit. When the first plane hit, the whole building shook, I mean literally shook. I asked my buddy, "did you drop that box again?" I looked out the window, and all we saw was smoke coming out. I told my workers and my buddy, "listen, this is not an accident. Are you ready to go? Because I'm packing my bag." My boss wanted to wait and see, notify the higher-ups. I told them again, "this is not an accident." Finally we all left. As I walked out the door, the second tower got hit, and that's when everybody started running. All the roads were closed in Manhattan, so we all walked, ran. We walked to the Brooklyn Bridge. When I got to the bridge, that's when the first tower collapsed. I was shocked. I was totally shocked. By the time I got to the other end of the bridge, the second tower collapsed. Everyone was upset, afraid, crying. It was a long walk home. It took me three hours to get home.

Can you explain what the scene looked and felt like?

Most of the people were just standing there with tears in their eyes. The dust was horrible. The burns were horrible. The next day my neck was just burning. Probably like 20 meters in front of you you couldn't see a thing. The next day, going back to ground zero, it was like walking in a snowstorm, but not snow, it's dust.

Did you consider that perhaps this was the beginning of a continuous attack against the U.S.?

That's exactly what I was thinking. That's why we walked all the way home. That's why we didn't stop.

What role did you as an Army Reservist play in the aftermath?

I called one of my guys, and the first thing we did was put on our uniforms and then we tried to get to Manhattan to help whoever needed it. National Guard was activated already. Most of the time, they would ask what our [job] is. I'd say, "transportation." And they'd say, "all we need is medic, medic, medic..."

What did New York City look like after the attacks?

Manhattan was a ghost town. The whole place, all you saw was police, firefighters, ambulances, National Guard.

You moved to Florida afterward, then you deployed to Iraq and again to Kuwait. What was it like when you returned to NYC after being gone so long?

I drove by ground zero when I was on leave. You think back and the tears start coming back. You just cry. The memories of that long walk to the bridge. That long walk and people passing away, it's just sad. It's sad. Everything's back to normal now in the city, until you see the sight again. Then it all comes back. That will always stay in your mind, no matter how normal things become. That's one of those memories you will always think about. You never forget. I don't think about it all the time, because, you know, what happened happened, but when you see it, you remember it. I don't think about it every day or anything, but it's one of those things that you will not forget.

Are you planning on moving back to New York City?

I want to, but it depends on my wife. It's a great place, New York City, I'm telling you.

How did it feel to see New Yorkers coming together to help one another out?

It was the greatest thing I've ever seen. So many people offering rides to random strangers. So many people trying to help. That was great, you know.

Is the War on Terrorism more personal for you because you lived in the city that was attacked?

This is what I think. If they hit us, we have to hit them back harder. Period. If you don't go after the terrorists, they'll keep hitting us. What they want is to end human life. If we don't stop them, guess what – more buildings will be blown up and more people will die. I think this war has been worth it. We've had a lot of deaths, but it's protecting the future for America. We can't kill every terrorist, but if you keep them running, they won't have the time or money to plan another attack. Sometimes you just wish, though, that we would have hit them early, before 9/11.

Here's what other ARCENT servicemembers had to say.....

Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Luna was on a ship on the New York Harbor until 7 a.m. Sept. 11:

"I was sleeping actually. I had just got off watch at 7 a.m., and I was asleep by 8. My wife called me, and I turned on the TV and saw it. Five hours later, I was on a cutter on the harbor, doing security. They wanted the harbor completely clear all boats. Even though I hardly slept, you don't feel tired after something like that happens."

Air Force Tech Sgt. Darwin King was deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 11:

"When I first heard about it, I had a huge sense of disbelief, and a huge adrenaline rush. It is hard to believe that five years have already passsed. It still feels like it happened last year."

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Adam Cunningham was in Economics class at high school in Talladega, Al., on Sept. 11:

"I was mad. I'm still mad. And I'm sad for the families of everyone that was involved."

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Briner was at Bald Eagle Area High School in Wingate, Pa., on Sept. 11:

"I remember my teachers all turned on the TV in school and I was wowed. I was trying to figure out why it happened, I was trying to make sense of it. I joined the Navy after that."

Army Maj. Arthur Lees was an Inactive Army Reservist, working in China. On Sept. 11, he was visiting family in Colorado:

"I watched news coverage as soon as it was picked up. When the second plane hit the World Trade Center, I was on the phone within minutes to my unit in St. Louis, and I told them I was available for mobilization."

• Date Taken: 09.08.2006
• Date Posted: 09.08.2006 13:42
• Story ID: 7681