When news broke about the first plane, I was driving in to work. The initial reports indicated it was some sort of accident.

When the second plane hit, I was still in the car. It seemed pretty obvious that this wasn't an accident any more.

When the first tower fell, I was in the office. I remember exactly where I was standing and who was around when I refreshed MSNBC and saw the picture of the tower falling.

I still get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach thinking about it.

I will never forget that day. Living on Long Island I have about 10 friends who are firemen or policemen in NYC. As I watched the events unfold, I knew that I would not escape that day without losing someone. I immediately started thinking of all the friends and family that were probably in those buildings.

About 3 pm, once it had settled down I called my cousin Thomas (a firefighter) to tell him that I was thinking about him and that I knew he had a lot on his plate. I knew he would be knee deep in the cleanup, and had a lot going on since his wife was 6 months pregnant. He wasn't home, so I left a message on his answering machine.

As the day went on, I began to get a sinking feeling in my gut That Thomas may have been killed. At 8 o'clock that night no one had heard from him yet, but we got a call from his brother that everyone from his fire house was safe and accounted for.

I went to bed around midnight, but couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. I don't think I slept all night. About 5 AM the call came. My cousin had the wrong firehouse information. Thomas' entire truck was in the South Tower when it came down. I just remember collapsing in the couch and sobbing uncontrollably. My 2 yr old ran over and started asking me "Why Daddy crying" I just couldn't stop.

We never got Thomas back. His remains were never recovered. Our lives have been changed forever. He never saw his daughter, and she will never know her father.

My 2nd son was born 3 months after 9/11 and we named him Thomas in honor of my cousin. He was my cousin, my golf partner, and a great friend who I will miss forever.

All told I lost 3 people that day who I knew personally. 1 of them I am certain leaped to his death...of that I have no proof, but I know he wouldn't just sit there and wait for the heat to take him. He was on top of the North tower in the Cantor Fitzgerald office. A fraternity brother of mine was also in that office and was lost.

I have seen that pic of the guy jumping many times, and every time I see it I think it might be that friend....I doubt it is, but can't help that feeling.

Is there a reason you make this thread every year?