9-11 From The Inside Out with North Tower Security Specialist Erik Ronningen
09/11/23
Weather conditions on September 11, 2001
- Bright and sunny skies in New York City
- Pleasant temperature of 65 degrees in the morning
- Clear skies were rare for New York City
- Crystal clear skies were noted on September 11, 2001
- Azure blue sky was magnificent on that day
Eric Ronningen's experience in the World Trade Center
- Eric's office had windows overlooking New York Harbor
- He enjoyed watching tugboats, watercraft, and tourist boats going to Ellis Island
- Impact from Flight 11 on the 71st floor shook him
- Tower twisted, turned, and bent before settling
- Eric's descent through the stairs was exhausting
Encounter with First Responders
- Eric didn't encounter First Responders until the upper teen floors
- Firemen in bunker gear and oxygen tanks were perspiring
- Employees supported and encouraged the First Responders
- Debris of paper, cardboard, and furniture was floating down the stairs
- Eric couldn't reach the basement but helped injured people on the pavement
Divine intervention and harrowing escape
- A little voice told Eric to walk east, leading to his escape
- Divine intervention and Army training helped him survive
- Eric realized the full extent of the catastrophe when watching television
- The scope of the events became clear on TV
- Eric experienced PTSD symptoms like soldiers on the battlefield
Impact and aftermath of September 11, 2001
- Eric was determined not to let the circumstances control him
- It took him years to recover from the trauma
- Thousands of heroes were born on 9/11
- The tragedy brought the country together like never before
- America's darkest hour also produced its finest moments
