September 11th is a generational experience that changed the landscape of America. It was a day that changed big and little things in our great country. Dawg Pound Daily is a sports site. Sports are not important in life, they are fun. Obviously all of us fans, short for fanatic, care greatly for our teams but things like domestic violence and September 11th put sports into perspective.
This story, through my tweets and photos, is from my experience from about 2 months after the tragic events. A group of us went to New York City to see how we could help. I haven’t posted anything yet today as I processed these events. I want to respect them, last year for the other site I run, nothing else was posted on this day, but we will begin our Saints game preparation this afternoon and provide a distraction from all the negativity.
While processing I decided instead of writing an indepth, long story I would share with all of you through my tweets and pictures to give you a glimpse of my experience without overwhelming you with words and details:
I was a young kid who became a Christian a year prior. Went with a Campus Crusade group to serve anyway we could. pic.twitter.com/zQ26BnRVnU
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
– That is me in the middle thinking I was cool with my hat on backwards. I look so young.
The smell is something I can never forget and there were still things burning as seen by the smoke in this pic. pic.twitter.com/RLnjGMnU5y
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
A worker, who gave me a special NY can of Pepsi, told me he knew every shovel full was likely a persons loved one.
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
This piece of twisted metal was still smoldering as it went by us on a semi while talking to that worker pic.twitter.com/Pd5ioh94jg
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
I remember meeting a woman, who didn't speak English much, who was still unsure if her son made it, or maybe she was holding on to hope.
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
Pinned to a Teddy bear. On back read "mom this is your granddaughter" "9/13/01". Seen among 1000s of Teddy bears pic.twitter.com/XVsOcvCVC8
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
At a firefighters memorial: a son wishing his father, who passed away in the attacks, a happy birthday Zoom in 2 read pic.twitter.com/0gLeLElEwy
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
Positives as well. Worker said this huge overhanging debris was held up by 1 bolt. Escape not blocked b/c of bolt pic.twitter.com/HOi7DGH6L5
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
Finally a sign of resolve. The Pepsi can the worker gave me. Still full of soda. Made it through 4 moves & 13 years! pic.twitter.com/X3HznQ2oAg
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
– That Pepsi can is a miracle to me.
Those are the things I remember on this day. #NeverForget #9/11
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) September 11, 2014
What is your story when you think about that tragic day? How did sports help you during those tough times?