From Big Dan: A Collection of Poetry and Short Stories

I hope you enjoy this final entry as we soon commemorate 24 years since the 9/11 attacks.

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Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, this nation suffered the largest terrorist attack on US soil culminating with the destruction of the two towers of the World Trade Center and the deaths of nearly 3,000 people, predominantly American citizens. I had only been at my first office job at the DMH Metro Boston Area Office at the Dr. Soloman Carter Fuller Mental Health Center located in the South End for six months at the time.

That morning started like any other. A cup of coffee, payroll entrees and some light music in the background as I worked as I anticipated going to see John Mellencamp play what was then the Tweeter Center in Mansfield in just a few days. I remember discussing the show with coworkers the day before.

Just a matter of minutes after my day started one of my coworkers came down the hall and told me and a few others who were near my workspace that a plane crashed into one of the towers at the World Trade Center. Almost immediately after another coworker announced that both towers were struck by planes. What started out as coincidental ultimately led to disaster for our nation.

Less than an hour later we were informed that non-essential staff were being sent home and that instructions for returning would be fourth coming. I got home and my mother and I watched the coverage of this tragedy in complete disbelief. For me there were a lot of different emotions. I prayed for the safety of those in the buildings and for those braving the wreckage to try to save the people trapped inside.

I got a call later that day that the staff would return to the office Friday. The next day I pretty much stayed close to home as nobody really knew what would come next or if there would be another incident. There was a lot of fear, frustration, anger, sadness, empathy, and a lot of unknown. At least that’s how I felt. Baseball and Football were paused. There were no local events happening and then a surprising thing happened. John Mellencamp and their opening act for Thursday, The Wallflowers were going on with the show in Mansfield.

I was both floored and happy at the same time. I talked to my friends as twenty of us got tickets together to watch from the lawn area. We all decided we were going. We met up at a friend’s house that afternoon to figure out driving plans and we ended up having an extra ticket so my brother who is only five years younger than us came along as well. The president had discussed not letting fear win or something to that affect in his address to the nation following the attacks. We decided not to let fear win and to have a great time.

We were off to the show. We faced the normal traffic to the venue which was a great sign. We got parked and skated the rules a bit by partaking in some spirits in the parking lot before heading in for the show. It wasn’t the first time and wasn’t the last. We decided to head in after a while as the Wallflowers had been playing and we wanted to be inside before John Mellencamp started his set. Luckily the beer stand had short lines and back then beer was actually affordable. Yes, I had no problem buying a few back then unlike now when I must mull it over at Celtics games before taking on the financial burden of those 20 ounces of golden liquid libation.

Anyways my friends and I found a spot to watch and enjoy the show. John came on and opened the show with a cover of The Rolling Stones song, Gimme Shelter. It was cool and appropriate at the same time. After this song he talked a little about the attacks and about being happy to be there and he basically gave us a great show.

He continued with “Peaceful World”, which was his new song at the time, he continued with “Jack and Diane”, and many of his hits that we all enjoy when he comes to town. He closed the show with, “Your Life is Now”. Just the perfect way for the show to end. My brother was a little surprised there was no encore set. My response was, “Hey he is the only show in town. With all the events and sports that were cancelled he chose to come out and entertain us. I for one think that is very cool.” He couldn’t argue with that. As we headed to the exits dueling, “USA” and “Yankees Suck” chants had begun and had gotten louder as we continued to the exit. Personally, I don’t think the Yankees Suck chant was done in the same spirit it normally was. I think for us unruly Boston fans it was more of a term of endearment that night.

On that night in Mansfield, music eased our fears and helped renew the American Spirit for a great crowd of concert goers and patriots. I will never forget this night, being able to share this experience with my brother and some of the best friends I’ve ever had.

Joe, Mike, Paul, Sep, Caf, Coz, Carl, Brian, Tim, Dilo, Matt, we’ve all experienced cool stuff in our time here, but this one might be the coolest one I ever got to share with all of you. Cheers. I dedicate the story to all of you, my brother Steve and all our friends that came with us that night.