Stephen Bryant walked past Independence Hall twice on Sept. 11, 2001. The first time was his usual morning commute to work in Philadelphia. The second, he was heading to give blood.
Bryant, 73, of Whitpain Township, shared his account of that day in a reader roundup published by The Reporter marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks. He and his wife both worked in the city. His office was at SunGard, the Wayne-based software company now part of FIS.
As word of the attacks spread that morning, Bryant left work and walked back toward the Red Cross on Spring Garden Street. He wrote that he was "a little nervous," wondering whether the building might be a target.
He went anyway.
"Sadly, many of the victims could not be helped with our blood," Bryant wrote.
Nearly 3,000 people died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to The Reporter. Nearly a dozen of those killed had ties to Montgomery County, according to a Reporter account of the county's 9/11 monument procession.
Montgomery County commemorations
Friday, Sept. 11, marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Montgomery County is holding a rededication ceremony for its 9/11 monument at 10 a.m. at Elmwood Park, 1325 Harding Blvd., Norristown.
In Lower Gwynedd, the Board of Supervisors approved an updated section of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail, a 1,500-plus-mile bike route honoring those who died. The 25th Anniversary Cycling Challenge is open for registration through Oct. 27.
Upcoming community dates
- Friday, Sept. 11 — Montgomery County 9/11 monument rededication, 10 a.m., Elmwood Park, 1325 Harding Blvd., Norristown
- Through Oct. 27 — Registration open for the 9/11 National Memorial Trail 25th Anniversary Cycling Challenge
