Victor Saracini of Yardley, Pa., was piloting one of the hijacked United Airlines jetliners that crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers.
By: Cynthia Williamson
As the first signs of nightfall blanketed the Delaware Valley region Tuesday, vignettes of local horror began to emerge.
By morning, certainly there would be more as the death toll mounted in a trio of devastating terrorist attacks on the nation’s financial and military centers, the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in Lower Manhattan and the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
It has been confirmed Victor Saracini of Yardley, Pa., was piloting one of the hijacked United Airlines jetliners that crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. The first crash occurred around 8:45 a.m. followed about 18 minutes later when another hijacked United Airlines jetliner crashed into Two World Trade Center, eventually leveling both buildings.
Reportedly, a Solebury Township woman was a passenger aboard the hijacked United Airlines flight bound for San Francisco that crashed into a grassy field in Shanksville, Somerset County, Pa., though the woman’s identity could not be confirmed as of press time Tuesday.
The aircraft’s intended target was Camp David, the president’s retreat in Maryland.
Even for those whose loved ones were safely accounted for, the impacts of Tuesday’s attacks on the United States were far reaching.
West Amwell resident Lena Fleischmann works part time at the Church of Sweden between Fifth and Madison avenues in Manhattan, but she was off Tuesday.
"It doesn’t feel real," said Mrs. Fleischmann, whose family in her native Sweden breathed a gigantic sigh of relief when they reached her at home Tuesday morning. "It’s like you’re sitting there watching a movie."
After several hours of trying, Mrs. Fleischmann finally did make contact with a pastor at the church where she has worked as an administrative assistant for a dozen years.
"When they witnessed the building just collapse, it really hit," she said, reporting that none of her colleagues was injured. "They’re just trying to cope with this and be there for people who need to come in and talk."
She said the church planned to hold a prayer vigil Tuesday evening.
Mrs. Fleischmann didn’t yet know when she would be returning to her job but said flashes of terrorism have crossed her mind as she travels through the Lincoln Tunnel.
"I think about it," she said, "because it really can happen."
Most schools were in session Tuesday morning when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center.
None of the local schools dismissed classes early but South Hunterdon High School suspended all after-school activities in accordance with an advisory from the county superintendent of schools.
Students in the 7-12 district were informed about the terrorist attacks via an announcement made by Principal Harry Bell.
School Superintendent Cheryl Simone said "TV’s were going all day, kids were talking about it" and she encouraged them to "get their concerns and fears out there."
West Amwell School Superintendent Tony DeCanzio said fifth- and sixth-grade students were informed about the attacks with the approach "it is an unfortunate part of history."
But younger students in the K-6 district were shielded from the news because it was felt to be "something parents should do."
In fact, a number of parents called the school with specific instructions not to tell their child about the attacks. About a dozen more parents came to school, either to talk to their children or to take them home.
"That’s understandable in this situation," Mr. DeCanzio said.
The daughter of physical education teacher Susan Cirullo works in Manhattan but she was able to reach her mother "pretty quickly after it happened," he said.
The county superintendent of schools faxed or telephoned an advisory to schools in Hunterdon County to beef up security, such as locking entrances and monitoring visitors closely, "the things we already do," Mr. DeCanzio said.
Part-time guidance counselor Debbie Yacyk is normally not scheduled Wednesdays but the superintendent said she would be there if students needed counseling.
He said the staff has been told to answer students’ questions "as honest and as matter-of-fact as possible," adding several teachers are certified counselors.
The Main Street Bank and First Union, both located in the heart of Lambertville’s downtown business district, closed before noon but it was not known as of press time Tuesday what prompted their decisions.
When contacted late Tuesday afternoon, United Trust’s Lambertville Branch Manager Laura Fleming said the bank was "all functioning" though everything was "very quiet" at the Cherry Lane facility.
"Nobody is out," she noted. "People seem to be staying close to home."
A West Amwell woman, who asked not to be identified, said Tuesday’s attacks on New York City were reminiscent of the movie, "Independence Day," where major cities and locations around the world were destroyed simultaneously.
The indelible images that flashed consistently across television sets "didn’t seem real, could not have been real," the woman said. "It was as if you were watching a movie."
New Hope Councilwoman Sharyn Keiser was on pins and needles until she heard from her son, an attorney in Washington, D.C., late Tuesday morning. His office is close to the Pentagon, where a plane crashed into the building shortly after the World Trade Center tragedy.
"He’s OK," she said. "But he said everything is in chaos there."
Some area churches planned prayer vigils or special services Tuesday night in response to the devastation that will undoubtedly impact tens of thousands of families.
The First Presbyterian Church of Lambertville was set to host a dinner meeting for congregations in the New Brunswick Presbytery but decided to cancel "for obvious reasons" and open its doors to the congregation and general public for a free meal at 5:30 p.m. and special service at 7 p.m., Minister of Worship Don Parish said.
"It isn’t really appropriate to sort out nickels and dimes when people need to pray, so that became the consensus," he said, adding congregants were notified of the impromptu dinner and service via e-mail but he had no idea how many people to expect.
Dawn Bair of Lambertville got out the photographs she took on a class trip with one of her two sons in June to the Statue of Liberty and New York City.
"It was hard to explain to him, especially when you were there in June," she said. "Two months ago we were sitting here looking at pictures of the World Trade Center."
She’s angry about the attacks and said, "I really think we ought to be paying back."
What’s more, her husband is in the Air Force Reserves and there is a slight chance he may be called to duty.
"Killing innocent people is always the act of a coward," Lambertville Mayor David Del Vecchio said. "Hopefully, our federal government will secure everything first, find out who’s responsible and take appropriate action so people know if they dare to take such action, it comes with a price."
He said the terrorism demonstrates "how fragile this free society is."
"This is sad but it will impact our everyday life, how we travel and our security," he said. "The things we take for granted will change."