After settling into the lovely apartment (very central and large, and widescreen on demand TV!) I set out to explore! Some noodles later and an early night was in store. Saturday I took a Duck tour of Boston, half river, half road and totally brilliant! Sunday shopping, and then a trip to the Top of the Hub, the largest building in Boston!
Monday saw me heading to the airport, not to come home, but to meet with the amazing staff. The two planes that hit the Towers on that terrible day took off from Boston, and it was clear to see that the community had been deeply affected by this. I met with Betty Desrosiers,Director of Aviation Planning and Strategy and Stewart Dalzell, Deputy Director of Environmental Planning and Permitting. Aside from their day jobs Betty and Stewart also developed a Family Assistance Centre Plan in the late 90's. The plan was to look at how families of those affected by an air accident at The Airport could have their needs met. They tested the plan in September 2000, with local acting students playing the part of families. A year later they put the plan into action for real, but this time it was no accident. Families arrived at the airport shortly after the attacks, and the airport staff (mainly volunteers), sprung into action immediately. The plan had earmarked the Hilton Hotel as a safe place for families, away from media attention and somewhere safe and secure. The Hilton staff were amazing, and the care the families recieved in their darkest time was second to none. I felt extremely overwhelmed by the dedication of these people, whose only thought on the weeks following the attacks was for the bereaved.
Next up was Bob Donahue, Fire Chief of the airport. Bob was instrumental in ensuring the plan for families was written, and worked. His own experience of that day was extremely moving, and the passion for helping others was clear to see.
I then met with Ed Freni, Director of Aviation for the Airport. Once again, the view took my breath away! But then on to more serious things. Ed actually set the Strategy for the airport response and the recovery, and it was fascinating to meet such a strategic thinker, with so much experience of dealing with incidents. Ed started out as Cabin Crew Supervisor, and now commands the response to huge aviation incidents. (Photo below). My lasting memory of that meeting will be seeing Ed's actual copy of the passenger manifest, with the terrorists names ringed, and his cabin crew friends named so soon after. He lost many friends that day, and yet pushed his own emotions aside to ensure the safety, security and dignity of the airport community.
I then visited the Boston Airport Memorial. A memorial to all of those on board the two planes (picture below).
Tomorrow brings more airport visits, and then American Red Cross in the afternoon.
More soon!
