Stand for Peace.
I remember where I was on this day so few years ago.
I remember the sun was shinning brightly and the temperature was ideal for a spring day, though it was the beginning of fall.
I remember my 3 children were in their schools, and my wife was on her way home when the planes hit.
People ran and screamed and prayed.
On TV, a newscaster fought back tears and despair as he tried to report what was going on around him. Back at the studio, another reporter tried to make his telecast and commercial cue sound lighthearted, as if it was all business as usual. He seemed dreadfully out of touch with reality.
I remember my family racing and struggling to unite from our various points around the city. And by nightfall all but one of us were gathered in our home. One of my sons was stuck in New Jersey – safe, with good friends of ours – but still we were not all together and it was so hard for me to wrap my head around that.
That afternoon my wife and I plotted a speedy exit from the city should it become necessary, or even possible. After all, many of our bridges and tunnels were closed … blocked.
— End Part One —
About Alex Simmons Says
Alex Simmons is an award-winning freelance writer, comic book creator, playwright, teaching artist, and educational consultant. He’s written for Disney Books, Penguin Press, Simon and Schuster, Marvel, DC, and Archie Comics. Simmons is the creator of the acclaimed adventure comic book series, Blackjack. As a teaching artist, Simmons has created and taught creative arts workshops for students and educators in the US, Europe, West Indies, and Africa.
Simmons has served on panels and delivered lectures on children’s entertainment mediums, as well as empowering young people through the arts. Simmons founded the annual family event, Kids Comic Con, as well as three comic arts exhibits, which have traveled abroad. He is currently developing a comics and creative arts program for children all over the world.
During the past 35 years, Simmons has participated as a member of arts and education boards for several New York State nonprofit organizations, as well as one in Nigeria.
As a teaching artist Simmons has worked with youth through the Bronx Community College, the Christopher Barron Live Life Foundation, Apollo Theater In-School Arts Program, Henkel McCoy, Upward Bound, New York Council on the Arts, Children’s Art Carnival, Wings Academy, and NYU Creative Arts Team, to name a few.
He has been a panelist at many literacy and arts events, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous colleges and educational institutions here and abroad.
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