matthew hempker

I look at this photo and can’t help but wonder what was going through their minds. They were trapped above the impact zones of the World Trade Center, standing at shattered windows, desperately searching for air, help, or some impossible way out. Did they call home? Did they pray? Did they tell the person beside them they were scared? Did they still believe someone was coming to save them? We know how the story ends. They didn’t. But in this photograph, they didn’t know that yet. They were still sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and friends—still hoping. That is the part of 9/11 that absolutely breaks me. May we never allow these faces to become just another photograph in a history book. Never forget. 🇺🇸💔