09/11/2026
Before I delved into landscaping here in Colorado, I had a previous life in government service.
On this day 25 years ago, by noon (Arizona time), I was rolling across the country in my personal vehicle towards The Twin Towers (aka "Ground Zero"). Admittedly, through criminal speeding throughout (all flights had been cancelled), tears (even as I share this recounting while on the stepmill at Planet Fitness), exhaustion -- having just gotten off the midnight shift in the Arizona mountains -- and not many answers, I forged forward. In my mind, I was fueled by the adrenaline of what the NYPD's (of which I patrolled with the majority of the 90s) radio calls must have sounded like to central, "10-13!", "10-85 forthwith!"
I arrived late Wednesday night, and only by privilege of active federal service with DOJ in a law enforcement capacity, I coordinated with contacts from my other previous employer, The Bronx District Attorney's Office and met up at GZ early Thursday morning.
I will spare all the details, but I remember asking myself and others, "How could we let this happen?!." What have we done in the world to import such hatred?" I had been across the street patrolling the subway entrance when the base of the WTC was bombed in 1993. With that experience behind me, again, "How could we...?", "What have we...?"
It was an even longer drive home, returning back to my assigned station and sector in AZ a week later. I found myself depressed for about three months for only finding soot and not arriving in time to "search and recover" anyone from "the pile" for waiting loved ones. My only silver lining through all that was not losing anyone I personally knew having grown up in NYC, having relatives working in the area and friends in government service. My condolences to those who may have directly or indirectly.
From there, DHS was born not long after, of which I am a founding member.
This is about as brief as I can share in honor of those lost and those who ran towards the looming disaster. I was hesitant, but I was walloped by the 25th anniversary at every turn on social media, so I needed this mental release.
It was my privilege, my honor, my duty to try my little best.
In solemn remembrance. 🙏🏼☝️🙌
*Some may now better understand why landscaping and fitness are my long go-to therapy.
-- Ephraim
Note: Those two moments captured were when we would have to stop, run off the debris pile when shifting was suspected and alerted to us via a horn.
