So much has already been written about the approaching anniversary that I don’t possess the arrogance to assume I have anything important to add to that dialog. My goal, rather, in writing this post is to simply acknowledge the date on behalf of our company and provide some reflection.

Everyone has their own memories of that day indelibly burned into their heads. For my generation, it’s the day our children and grandchildren will ask us about; just like JFK for my parent’s generation and Pearl Harbor for my grandparents.  I guess my great grandparents didn’t have such a story for their descendants, except, of course, a long boat ride from Europe to a land of promise.

Since I am fortunate enough to be the primary contributor for this blog, I thought I would take the opportunity to share my own brief story of that day.

In 2001 I was working in the sales department at a radio station. I remember vividly our sales manager coming into the office and telling us about it. Since our branch office had no television and ironically, no radio, most of us went home. The manager approached me before leaving the office. He explained that I should probably not make any sales calls that day. Then, that evening, when the extent of the tragedy was fully realized, he sent an email explaining that no one should make sales calls for the rest of the week. Personally, I didn’t make a single business-related phone call for a couple of weeks. I can remember very clearly fudging my call log to reflect a normal working day. I just didn’t have the temperament to call someone and ask for business. It just felt wrong.

New York City holds a very special place in the hearts of our team here at Structural Graphics. Besides having sales offices there, it is home to many of the larger agencies and companies we do business with. Structural Graphics has many friends in New York, and many who were personally affected by the events of that day. It is those friends that we always pause to remember on each anniversary. Of course, in a very personal way, each of us takes time to reflect and remember all of those lost on that day and the trail of broken-hearted friends and family left behind with only their sorrow and memories.