September 11, 2001 was one of the hardest days in my photojournalism career. I was the photo editor at The Michigan Daily. I watched in horror as the planes crashed into the twin towers. The World Trade Center was gone. New York City is my home town. A place I once worked as a high school student on the 80th floor in the North tower disappeared in front of my eyes. Tears began to flow. This was something unimaginable. I received a call that morning from the editor. We were sending people to cover the story. I knew I had to be one of them. We arrived in New York on Wednesday. I stood in line for five hours to receive my media credentials and then proceeded to Ground Zero. I was dazed and confused. Nothing looked like the landscape of such a great city. I photographed many images of rubble and debris. Areas of dark smoke were still smoldering. I documented as much as possible because I was losing daylight quickly. There was so much loss. People were holding pictures of loved ones in the hope that they had survived. Then I received the news. A family friend had lost his life.
This exhibition image is dedicated to the memory of Vernon Cherry, Ladder 118, and all those Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice so others could live.
Rest in Peace and God Bless America. We will never forget!
Marjorie J. Marshall
