WCBS 880 9/11 Series: Rudy Giuliani Recalls Collapse Of South Tower, Worry Of More Attacks
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - As we approach the tenth anniversary of the horrific attacks of 9/11, those who were in charge on that day are looking back.
WCBS 880's Rich Lamb On The Story
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After watching people leap to their deaths and being told those above the fire could not be helped, then mayor Rudy Giuliani was talking to Washington when the south tower collapsed.
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"I was in a building about two and a half blocks away waiting for a call from Vice President Cheney. In fact, I was on the line with the White House secretary and, all of a sudden, the line went out, the building started to shake, my table started to shake like an earthquake," said Giuliani.
The mayor and those around him were initially trapped, but janitors got them out through an underground passageway, and as his honor walked uptown, the north tower crashed to the earth behind him.
"And at that point, I was sure we were gonna get attacked again. I wasn't thinking this was the end of it. I was being told for weeks [after 9/11] that we were going to get attacked again," Giuliani told WCBS 880 reporter Rich Lamb. "So, we were getting prepared for suicide bombings and we had thousands of bomb scares in the next week. Every bit of intelligence was telling us that this was the beginning of a series of attacks and that we were going to be looking at several years of attacks."
Giuliani said he believes Islamic extremist terrorist wanted to break Americans' spirit.
"They thought by attacking Washington, attacking New York, they're going to break the spirit of America and they sure as heck didn't do that. I mean, New York City is stronger than we were before," said Giuliani.
Ten years later, Giuliani says he wants to remind people that the threat is still alive.
He says that, at times, Sept. 11 makes him very sad, but says he also feels fulfilled at the good work many did on that dark day and on the days after.
Where were you when the towers collapsed? Share your memories below in the comments section.
