At 8:44 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, it was just another normal birthday for Anthony Rispulo, who was working another day at his office located at 32nd and Fifth street in downtown Manhattan, a mere 60 blocks from the World Trade Center.

Rispulo, born and raised in New York City and had recently returned after leaving New York City for reasons of employment.

But at 8:45 a.m., Rispulo’s life, as well as the lives throughout the entire nation, changed as the American Airlines Flight 11 slammed into the north World Trade Center tower.

“It was just after the first plane hit, and somebody came in from the street yelling ‘A plane just hit a building,'” Rispulo said.

Rispulo and many others’ first reaction was to run out into the street. He said he vividly remembers seeing the smoke billowing out of the building and an intense mixture of feelings.

“It was first awe and then utter dismay. You’re thinking, ‘What could have possibly have done this?’ and then the anger sets in. [It was the anger of] knowing that we were being attacked and everybody knew it was terrorists,” Rispulo said. “It’s hard to explain.”

Rispulo said that, shortly afterward, the streets were choked with people, most of whom were trying to get out of the city. All of the cabs were occupied, Rispulo said, so he took a ride from a stranger to get on a subway to travel home. In an ironic twist, the stranger happened to remark, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if it were somebody’s birthday?’ Rispulo said.

“It’ll never be a good birthday ever again,” Rispulo said.

Rispulo’s brother-in-law was a NYC fire boat captain who was involved in the rescue efforts. To this day, his brother-in-law still doesn’t speak about the day’s events.

Rispulo said even though it has been six years, any mention of the events of that day will still affect him.

“It always brings a strong emotional reaction. I don’t always cry; it still brings a reaction,” Rispulo said. “And even if they build a memorial or two new buildings, it means nothing to me.

The memory of the day is it for me. And all the disagreement over who will get the building contract – it’s just politics and greed.”

Rispulo said after that day, he and his family left New York City forever. His mother still lives in downtown Brooklyn, but the memory is always with him.

“I guess all I have to say is: Don’t ever forget. There are some that choose to forget, but for me it is just a little too personal and hit too close to home to try and to forget,” Rispulo said.

For some students the memory of that day is still palpable.

Six years ago, students watched and listened to the horrifying events that unfolded nearly 1,200 miles away.

However, the tragedies hit much closer to home for a select number of ISU students who have called or call their home New York. Some have personal ties to 9/11.

“There were some very surreal and scary aspects of that day,” said Kristi Grey, a 1998 ISU alumna with degrees in French and political science.

“People did everything to make the best of a horrible situation,” said Grey, who was traveling with six co-workers and a 1 1/2-year-old child in New York when the events unfolded.

As the citizens of New York pulled together during 9/11, Grey recalled a feeling similar to that of living in Iowa.

“NYC had the spirit similar to a town in Iowa, which is hard for people to grasp because of NYC big-city mentality,” Grey said.

That small-town, Iowa spirit can be felt today in NYC, especially at the memorials surrounding the areas affected by Sept. 11.

“People always paid tribute to the memorials in silence and respect,” said Laura Tober, ISU alumna.

Tober, who spent time in NYC in fall 2006, said she lived three blocks from the memorials stand where the twin towers used to.

“It affected me one or another every day I was there,” Tober said.