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On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Gary Crittenden, former executive vice president and CFO of American Express, shares his experience from that day. Positioned on the 51st floor of the American Express building across from the World Trade Center, Crittenden witnessed one of the planes crashing into the North Tower. Initially mistaking the event for a tragic accident, he soon realized the magnitude of the situation as flames erupted from the tower.
Crittenden recounted his memories of the chaos, including the swift evacuation ordered by CEO Kenneth Chenault, which likely saved lives. He and a few coworkers remained in the building when the South Tower collapsed, feeling the terrifying sway of the structure. He described harrowing images of those fleeing the disaster and the bravery of first responders.
Reflecting on the resilience of New Yorkers, Crittenden emphasized the courage it took for people to return to work and rebuild after the attacks. For 25 years, he kept his experiences private but now wishes to share them for the benefit of younger generations. He hopes to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and stresses the importance of unity and kindness in society, advocating for compassion without the need for a tragedy to prompt it.
