Anniversary Anamnesis

Anniversary Anamnesis

Looking Backward and Moving Forward, A Dozen and a Half Years Later

Eighteen years later, the scars on the local landscape have mostly vanished, but the internal wounds persist for those who survived the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. For this constituency, Lower Manhattan resident Helaina Hovitz Regal (author “After 9/11: One Girl’s Journey through Darkness to a New Beginning”) and her father, veteran community leader Paul Hovitz, are teaming up with the Howard Hughes Corporation to host “Hope & Healing We Were There on 9/11 and We’re Still Here,” this Sunday (September 8), starting at 5:00 pm, at Eight Fulton Street.


	Author and Lower Manhattan resident Helaina Hovitz Regal

Ms. Hovtiz Regal, whose 2016 book recalls September 11 through the eyes of her 12-year-old self (attending middle school three blocks away from the site of the disaster), and goes on to chronicle the community’s rebirth, as well as her own struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, and recovery, says, “for me, this evening is meant to show how recovery is possible over time, and to offer hope in a world where tragic things continue to happen. Storytelling and sharing our experiences is a crucial part of moving forward and thriving in the face of change, both good and bad. The post-September 11 revitalization of Lower Manhattan has been ongoing, and it’s been moving forward even more rapidly in recent years. This neighborhood is a destination, now, whereas it was once so ‘under the radar’ that the police forgot to evacuate our apartment complex on September 11. We’ll reflect on how far we’ve come as a community, and as individual survivors who make up that community — families who chose to stay, to help one another, and to rebuild after living through some of the worst pain and most awful physical conditions imaginable.”


Paul Hovitz

Mr. Hovitz reflects that, “this event is part of the healing that we experienced and continue to feel moving forward. We literally rose from the ashes. It is important that we share both the tragedy and the herculean efforts of our families, neighbors and friends. It took a days, weeks, months and years to recover. However, it began the very next day, when we went to work with the Fire Department, the Police Department, our elected officials, our local hospital, and most poignantly our neighbors, to lift ourselves out of the debris, the dust and the air filled with smoke, and rise like a phoenix. I am most proud of my daughter who had to run for her life from I.S. 289 to avoid being engulfed in the dust cloud as the south tower fell. She was damaged, but pulled herself up and is a symbol of our recovery. Her book tells the story of so many of our children, who lived through the tragedy, witnessed unspeakable horrors, but came back to be vital members of our community.”

Bob Townley addresses the crowd assembled on the basketball courts just north of Canal Street on September 15, 2001

Sunday’s event will include a panel discussion, followed by a question-and-answer session, and reception. The discussion will be moderated by CNBC’s Contessa Brewer, and panelists will include Manhattan Youth’s Bob Townley, the Broadsheet’s Robert Simko, and Downtown Hospital responder and Southbridge resident Steve Vince.

Admission is free, but guests are asked to register in advance. R.S.V.P. by browsing: bit.ly/2NxMPXx.

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