9/11 Stories: Beth Chunn

Beth Chunn lived in Neptune, New Jersey but worked for Morgan Stanley on the 64th floor of The World Trade Center in the South Tower. Her train commute was a 5 hour/day ordeal. She remembers texting her boss on the way in, saying, “Is this what it’s all about? Commuting 5 hours a day?!”
Beth says it’s strange what she remembers from that day. She recalls llooking out her office window at work and thinking to herself, “Those are ‘Simpsons’ clouds.” Getting ready for a meeting, she heard a loud boom. From the conference room, it looked like ticker tape parade confetti pouring out of the North Tower. She saw a roll of toilet paper unfolding as it fell. Someone in her office who had survived the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 instinctively knew it was another terror attack and yelled “Get the hell out of here! Get the hell out! “
Everyone from her office stayed calm, and almost casually walked down the stairs. When they got to the 20th floor, the building rocked. No one knew it but their building had just been hit by the second hijacked plane. Chunn and her colleagues made their way safely uptown before their building collapsed.
Beth’s pregnant sister also worked for Morgan Stanley at The World Trade Center, 8 floors above Beth’s office, but luckily was in Canada with her husband that day, celebrating their anniversary. Beth says had her sister been at work that day, she would have never left the area without her. Her sisters’ anniversary vacation probably saved Beth Chunn’s life.

[ripGianinaLeilaniReid]

That's how grief is. My oldest daughter died. Hee remains have not been found. She was right with me on 9/11. Sometimes I am totally fine with her loss and other days I fall apart. Like actually fall apart.

[favouritemoon]

I want to thank Beth and everyone else who gives their account of that day. They are being asked to recount what they recall of what - for many of them - will have been the worst day in their lives. It's so important for the rest of us to listen to them.

[midwoodcatering]

She mentioned that one guy was panicking and running down faster than everyone else. I suspect he saw jumpers, the holes, fires, etc. I can’t say I blame him.

[pudik]

Shelly you are the best interviewer I’ve ever watched. You let every person talk without interrupting.❤

[schelliegris]

The detail of the train parking lots full of cars, whose owners were never coming home. That sticks.

[happyrn]

Thank you, Beth Chunn. Your raw exposure of how you felt in 9/11 really touched me. May every day you live be better than the one before.

[OfficialLeahJude]

I loved the part about how we were holding doors and looking out for each other after that terrible day. It was truly amazing how loving we all became. The country was truly united. It’s sad that we are so divided now, we forget that we’re all on the same team.

[rscamu]

She was able to live because Rick Rescorla took his job as Security Director for Morgan Stanley very seriously. He saved 3, 700 lives but not his own.

[dianemitchell]

This person sounds like she is living with PTSD. My heart goes out to her.

[Goldrefinedthrufire]

I'm canadian and one thing that always gets me about 9/11 stories is how amazed the survivors are a out how kind and helpful people were that day. The things these people did, like let someone in for shelter, or to use their cell phone, is an everyday thing where Im from. I hope that kindness lasted beyond that day in New York.

[amywhite]

She mentioned her parents flying home from Germany on 9-11 and getting rerouted to Canada. If anyone here hasn't already heard or read about the airport in Canada or Newfoundland maybe where many planes were grounded, please look it up right now. Amazing story about amazing people. I believe it's Gander Airport but it's been a while.

[em-loof-tonnac]

Something I have noticed from watching 9/11 stories since it happened is that those who were not injured or near the impact zone or those who exited the building without delay, seem to have more trauma from 9/11 than those who were the most affected that day, like those that survived from above the impact zone or the few that survived the collapse. It's strange how PTSD affects those in or near a tragedy so differently.

[mikemadden]

Absolutely The Most Riveting 1ST Person Account On An Emotional Level
Of A 911 Story That I've Heard.
Thank You And God Bless You Beth.

[onlyonce]

A great account of your experience - so authentic and honest - thank you. That time of the year again.

[broomstickcowgirl]

One of the most emotional interviews on 9/11. Thank you for sharing your experience with the world,

[katvonmew]

Thankyou for being so brave and honest about such a horrific day. I really do hope you find some peace and calm in the world. My friend was a volunteer fire fighter who worked ground zero after the day and he couldn't talk about it even until he passed away a few years ago. We wept together for all the lost souls that day and those that followed. I am so happy you and your sister weren't in those tears. Love and light x

[rebeccalowe-hodges]

I am so grateful for these 9/11 personal stories. Each person's story. Individual accounts. Thank You so much for sharing your story.

[michellenorris]

18:50 The most heartbreaking part of Beth Chunn's sad retelling of her 9/11 is when the fire trucks were being cheered on, as they passed by, such bravery.

[Frances-wvxv]

It's true how your mind goes in different directions when faced with tragedy. I remember being in a car accident and while my car was spinning and spinning out of control on the highway, the most trivial thought in my mind was like... "oh geez, how much money is it going to cost to fix my vehicle", rather than... holy crap I might die. Must be survival mode, but I was detached from fear.

[parkeranderson]

How surreal it must be to have felt and heard that strange effect of her building being hit and then only see and learn of the reality later. What a nice lady she is too.