Nirvjam

Hello all. I don't post much on the board these days, but I did a lot more 20 years ago. (Of course, I'm still a big Bills fan.) Here is my first hand account of 9/11 that I posted at 9:40 pm on that day, including the several responses the post received. It is an honor to post it again on this 20th anniversary. -- Jerry (nirvjam) Nirvjam (UDFA) 09/11/01 09:40 PM Back home now - Saw it with my own eyes... Edit Message Reply Got home on Long Island a little while ago. I was on the railroad this morning when cell phones went off. The word was spreading about the first plane hitting the WTC. We were traveling through the section of Queens that provides an unobstructed view of the Twin Towers. I saw the fires burning near the top of Tower Two. People were at first speculating that it was an accident. As I continued to look at the Twin Towers, I saw the second plane hit Tower One. I saw the center section engulfed in a ring of fire. I've since seen video footage from much closer, but seeing it with my own eyes was the most terrible thing I've ever seen. By the time I got to my office, almost thirty stories up in Midtown Manhattan, myself and other workers could clearly view the burning towers from the offices on the south side of the building. People watched and cried as each tower crumbled in turn to the ground. The collapse of Tower Two, which went first, looked like another explosion from its midsection. When Tower One collapsed, it seemed to explode from the top down. Telephone service was pretty much down, and I had difficulties calling my wife. Internet access was very slow. I finally got through to my wife, who was very upset, and very relieved. Shortly thereafter, people left to try to get home. The Long Island Railroad was not operating. All bridges and tunnels were closed. Myself and a colleague started walking towards the 59th Street bridge, thinking maybe pedestrian traffic might be allowed. We also avoided going too near other prominent buildings and areas such as the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Penn Station, and Grand Central Station, etc. not knowing what to expect. We stopped at a place on 50th and 2nd ave where many people were viewing television reports. Here we caught some of the various video footage that I know has been replayed throughout the day. I was very disturbed by the footage of Palestinians on the West Bank dancing and celebrating in the streets. I cursed loudly at the television screen. We grabbed a quick bite (i had no real appetite to speak of), and we were taling to a woman who was right outside the Trade Center only several blocks away when it collapsed. She was besides herself with distress as she mentioned the many police, fireman, and emergency workers she saw underneath the falling debris. Absolutely horrible...... Eventually, we heard reports that the Long Island Railroad had limited service out of Manhattan. So we turned around and headed back towards Penn Station. There was indeed limited service, and I was finally able to get on a train that limped out of Manhattan. The train ride that usually takes 45 minutes took about 2 1/2 hours due to all sorts of delays. I was very happy to get home. I'm still in a state of shock over all this. The human tragedy is unimaginable. And to see these buildings wiped off the NY skyline feels like losing a limb. I used to work at the World Trade Center and had been there many times. I still can't believe they're gone. Things will not be the same after this. I hope we treat this like the dastardly act of war that it is, and fully respond. Please say a prayer for all the families and loved-ones of the victims - the airline passengers who perished so horrifically, the workers in the buildings, the services personnel who bravely tried to help, those in DC and PA, and all who are injured and those who still may be trapped. Post Extras: jester43 (UDFA) 09/11/01 09:47 PM sigh... bless yer heart. glad you're home (nm) [re: Nirvjam] Reply Post Extras: John from Jax (Unregistered) 09/11/01 09:59 PM Thank you for posting this msg [re: Nirvjam] Reply May God Bless you and your family...thank you for taking the time to post here....I'm glad that you're OK. Post Extras: .Combo (Unregistered) 09/11/01 10:01 PM Thank you [re: Nirvjam] Reply Your report was more informative than any of the igmos the news interviewed in the street. As I read it, I felt like you transorted me right to the scene. I'm not sure i should be thanking you for that. Nice work. I hearby challenge Mr. Bin Laden to a spearing contest....with a REAL spear. Post Extras: #89 (Practice Squad) 09/11/01 10:49 PM try to sleep sweetheart [re: Nirvjam] Reply glad you and your family are safe Post Extras: AKC (UDFA) 09/11/01 11:15 PM The images that will stay forever [re: Nirvjam] Reply will hopefully be the ones you can't forget of the plane hitting the building instead of a very few people in the Middle East who represent no one but their own sick persons. Post Extras: Anonymous (Unregistered) 09/11/01 11:56 PM Re: Back home now - Saw it with my own eyes... [re: Nirvjam] Reply I can't imagine seeing this first hand, on t.v. was bad enough. The Middle East people dancing in the streets, shooting off guns, and the Iraqi guy around 30 talking to the camera glad that we were attacked and wishing more, made me sick. These people aren't human. God bless America! -BillsWest Post Extras: Zona (UDFA) 09/12/01 01:53 AM Hang in there bro... [re: Nirvjam] Reply We are all praying for the victims from todays tragedy. Glad to hear you and yours ok... From the great Southwest, best wishes to all east coasters Zona

Thanks, fansince88! I agree regarding the pizza and the bagels. But Buffalo has the best wings and Beef on Weck! Thanks for clarifying, LeviF91 - yes my ID on the board does initially go back to 1998, and I remember the "migration" which reset my membership as beginning in 2001. From the Internet Archive, here is a snapshot of what the board looked like on Dec. 5th, 1998: https://web.archive.org/web/19981205151901/http://twobillsdrive.com:80/stadiumwall/ I see "Kelly the Dog" as one of the posters from back then -- I think he might be still active on the board (not sure) Go Bills! Nirvjam / Jerry

Hi Guffalo! Yes this is the same Jerry! We watched a few games at McBride's at the Bellmore Train Station. I'm still there for most games with my cousin (also named Jerry.) Thanks for your seats offer - I think we are good regarding tickets. (And the group count may be up to about a dozen of us.) Regards, Nirvjam / Jerry

Hi folks! After a good number of years, I'm coming up (from Long Island) to the game this Sunday against Miami! (P.S. I'm not an active poster on the board these days, but I've actually been a member on the board for almost 20 years!) My wife Susie will also be coming, as well as 6 or 7 additional family members. (My good friend "Bill from NYC" won't be coming for this game, but he sends his best regards.) Looking forward to tailgating and seeing (possibly, if they're coming) our friends Rich Flowers, Cablelady Harriet, Laurie, Badolbilz, and others who we know from the board who might be at the game! Go Bills! Nirvjam (Jerry)

... the AFC Championship Game by the 1992 Bills vs. Dolphins! Kelly vs. Marino! And that game, played on Jan. 17, 1993, was in Miami! http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301170mia.htm

Great post as usual, Bill! Here are a few comments: 1) Tuel to Easley reminds me of Fitz to SJ. This is a GOOD thing. They played together as scrubs and developed a chemistry. This is a great thing to see. After the overall pleasing first half with EJ Manuel, the 2nd half with Tuel was an extremely pleasant surprise as well! 4) I sent a letter to am man I know, It said, "One for the money, two for the show." I waited all summer for his reply, He said, "3 to get ready and 4 TO FLY." Brilliant Robert Hunter lyrics of course, but did you know that Keith Godchaux wrote the music! 5) Manuel? He was every bit as I could have hoped for and more. Every bit. He showed poise, remained calm under pressure, made some nice throws, looked comfortable running the 2-minute drill, *and* has legs that can move! Yes it's only pre-season, but this made for a good start. 8) Goodwin? OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! He looked like McKelvin with a brain and football instincts!!!!! If his returns can stay anywhere close to what he did today, I don't really care if he ever catches a pass. The 106 yard TD was just that sick! This guy can turn on the afterburners! Only recently learned he was an Olympic long jumper! 13) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe 1 or 2 more exclamation marks are called for. Ok so this was only a pre-season game. Still, they came into Indy and basically destroyed them. It was interesting to listen to the hometown Indy broadcasters. First the pre-game never mentioned the name of a single Bills player (and the team itself was barely mentioned.) I think the first time any individual Bills were mentioned by name was when the game was underway. It's possible that my favorite moments from the game were when the announcers said: "Coach Pagano can't like that!" Did they say it about 10 times? (Often the camera would cut to Pagano at that point, his expression making their point.)

Sorry I've been so busy and haven't posted in a long time. I was with Bill from NYC at last Sunday's tailgate and wanted to echo his comments. The tailgate was terrific and it was great to see Cablelady, Badolbilz, Lori, SidBuff, BuffaloBart, R.Rich (and to meet his brother), and all the others! The fantastic weather made for a great time, even as the team continues to disappoint. (Also got to eat dinner for the first time at Otto's - pretty good food!) This is the weakest Bills team I've ever seen them put onto the field. I went into the season with low expectations regarding the offense, but wasn't prepared for the utter weakness of the defense. Nevertheless - we love our Bills and will continue to hope for better things in the reasonable future! Go Bills!!!!!!!!

He and his family are in our prayers...

...and if you're smiling, Harriet, then we're all smiling! (that's one smile for each sack!) Go Bills!!!!!

Scott, I don't post much, but thanks for making this a great haven for the best fans in the world. Happy Birthday! Here's a link for you: Enjoy! Go Bills!

I posted this on the evening of Sep. 11, 2001 after finally getting home from my Manhattan job. I saved the thread as an html file at: Sep. 11, 2001 (There may be broken links/messages on the page - just scroll down for the saved thread.) We will never forget those who perished.....

Hope it's a good one! Now check this out: Make Excitement Your Sunday Tradition Go Bills!!!!!

The foursome from NY: Myself, Bill from NYC, Rory and cousin Jerry all had a great time at the Miami game. This was our 12th consecutive annual trip. Believe it or not, the Bills are now 9-3 in games that we attend. (I know, I know, we should come to more games ) It was great to see (and in some cases meet for the first time): Cablelady Bill from Livonia Lori Cindy/89 Badolbilz Petrino Albany Jay Rosen aussiew CigarM/Mark Kelly the Fair and Balanced Dog I'm sorry if I missed anyone... Now let's beat that team that *thinks* they're a New York team!!!!!! Go Bills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I posted this on the evening of Sep. 11, 2001 after finally getting home from my Manhattan job. I saved the thread as an html file at: Sep. 11, 2001 We will never forget those who perished.....

Near the beginning of Marino's induction speech, he said words to the effect (i'm quoting from memory): "To Jim and Jill Kelly, I can only imagine what you are going through today. Our prayers are with you." Again I don't remember it verbatim. It was a classy statement to make and the crowd cheered in respectful acknowledgement.