The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11

“Good days. And bad days. Up days. Down days. Sad days. Happy days. But never a boring day on this job. You do what God has called you to do.”

On the morning of September 10, FDNY chaplain Mychal Judge addressed firefighters and city employees at the rededication of a Bronx firehouse. He spoke of the varied and unpredictable nature of firefighters’ days. His speech unknowingly foreshadowed the unprecedented events of the subsequent day, particularly his noting that there is “never a boring day on this job” and that firefighters willingly risk their lives to do “what God has called you to do.” Mychal Judge’s words are haunting given that he was the first official casualty of 9/11.

“Bruno Dellinger, principal, Quint Amasis North America, North Tower, 47th floor: The sky was so pure. The air was so crisp. Everything was perfect.”

Numerous people who were in New York City and Washington, DC, on 9/11 later recalled commenting on the beautiful, crisp, blue morning after the previous day’s storm. This sharply contrasted with the sights, smells, and sounds the same people experienced as the day’s horrors unfolded. The clear day was soon interrupted by planes hitting buildings and the resulting fire, smoke, death, and destruction.

“I remember literally telling him, ‘It should be an easy day.’ Those were the words. ‘It should be an easy day.’”

Andy Card, Chief of Staff for President Bush, assured the president that 9/11 would be an easy day. This quote underscores dramatic irony, given that 9/11 brought extreme stress, grief, and challenges to President Bush’s day and, more broadly, to his presidential term. Like comments about the clear, blue sky, this quote highlights the contrast between how the day began and how it progressed.