9/11 Stories: Alan Zelazo

On 9/11, Alan Zelazo was a Path employee. His regular train run was between Newark and The World Trade Center. He was assigned that day to come in late in the afternoon, but after the second plane hit The World Trade Center, Zelazo got a call from Path, trying to get everyone to come in.
Driving in on what’s normally a busy Route 280, Alan was shocked by the electronic traffic alert signs: “New York City is closed”, something no one had ever seen. At one point, he had a perfect view of The World Trade Center from atop a hill on the highway. Seeing the smoke billowing up to the perfectly blue sky, Zelazo thought to himself , “Am I out of my mind? I’m going into a war zone”. But this was his duty, his job.
For a time that day, all mass transit was shutdown. But just before 5 PM, came word that Path service would resume from Newark to Hoboken to 33rd Street in New York City. Zelazo volunteered for the run. The crew was directed to make sure everyone get off in Hoboken. They were instructed not to let anyone come into New York City. Zelazo says a passenger begged to stay on the train, trying to get back to his family in NYC. He handed him a Path vest, saying, “You now work for Path”. He had to take the man back to be reunited with his family.

[tiffanygaeta]

These interviews are absolutely mind blowing. Amidst the chaos and tragedy of that day, it amazes me the different experiences and perspectives of people from a variety of careers that play such an important role in the city's daily functioning. These are all really important interviews. Thank you!

[CandiceGoddard]

I think it's when you do things like this, helping a desperate man to get home, consensually sharing your prayer books with others to comfort them, having a word to strengthen someone, that you show why some humans are only a little lower than angels.

[almira]

Thank you for your story. And for what you did ♥️

Also thank you for the interview people. I just turned 15 at the time. (I live in the Netherlands) that day I needed to go to the er because of my apandix almost bursting. So I needed emergency surgery for that. When I woke up my parents needed to go home to get my baby sister and brother from school and get some stuff for me. It was around 2:30 pm where I lived. When I woke up a little more I turned on the tv. And everything was interrupted by the news. So I watched everything in disbelief. I really made an impact. I followed it all day every day. After that every year I remembered it. When I became a mom in 2007 at 20 and I said to my now husband for 14 years I’m gonna tell my kids about this every year when they are old enough. So now every year we talk about it. Honor the fallen hero’s and all the living hero’s. And watch all the interviews that we can find. Here in the Netherlands they don’t teach about is so much. So it’s my duty to tell my kids. Just like I tell them about my great grandfather that gave food and helped a lot of people in the Second World War. So thank you from me, my husband and our 4 kids now. We will remember! 🇺🇸

[Littlescienceguy]

That was so nice of him, to give that man his work vest, so he could get to his family in NYC. That really inspired me.

I felt so bad for the people on the train scared by the airplane flying over. :-(

[californiahiker]

Alan, thank you so much for telling your story! This is told from a different perspective than what I’ve been listening to. So many people from all different walks of life were affected. It’s important to hear from people not directly connected to the chaos of the twin towers. I mean, of course it affected all of NY and beyond. Regardless of what their job capacity was that day, all fields need to be represented to paint a more complete picture. It’s important to preserve history. Also, it gives us non New Yorkers are clearer idea of what makes the city run. I liked you mentioning the model car you had built, and the items you kept in remembrance of that day. So thanks again Alan, well told!

[janets]

Thank you for sharing Alan. Your story really shows how much you value family and care for the families that suffered loss. Many continue prayers and blessings for healing and family.

[leesher]

Lovely story about Mr. Zelazo having brought his siddur (Jewish prayer book) to work and reading it.

[KourtnieGarcia]

We lost Sirius that day❤glad they mentioned it.

[leesher]

What was that noise in the background every so often?