Everyone talks about the bankers, traders and office workers but not the ones working blue collar jobs. The maintenance workers, porters, waiters, cooks, concession stand workers, ticket booth employees, etc. deserve just as much recognition.

I got to go up to Windows on the World in February 2001, I was 14, on a school trip from the UK. I was being bullied badly and so wasn’t hanging around with the other kids on the trip, I stayed with my head teacher and art teacher. We met some of the Windows on the World Staff and they took us up there to see the view. I treasure the photos I took, it was a view unlike any other. The people who worked there who lost their lives deserve our thoughts and memories. Rest in peace

Imagine working on the top floor of WTC, losing 73 friends and family members and then having to face people looking at you as if YOU did something, as if YOU were suspicious. I understand the public, back then they didn't know if there would be more attacks so everyone was on high alert, but it must have been so hard for these people.

The last people to leave the restaurant before Flight 11 collided with the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. were Michael Nestor, Liz Thompson, Geoffrey Wharton, and Richard Tierney. They departed in an elevator at 8:44 a.m. and survived the attack. Imagine how they felt afterward.

The fact that they refer to each other as “brothers” and “sisters” truly shows how close they all where. Not just as coworkers but as a family. Rest In Peace to the beautiful souls lost that day.

My dad proposed here in 87’. He almost got arrested because my mom was hysterical and the staff thought something was wrong. They are still married coming up on 32 years. Every time they are in the city they visit where windows on the world use to be. It’s truly amazing how far connections reach.

"I lost my sense security because after 9/11 as a Muslim, as an Arab I was alwayslooking around me. Who's looking at me? It's not me! I wish I could write in front of me IT'S NOT ME becausepeoplewere looking you in subways, in streets, in supermarkets." 😭 I've never heard it explained better.

I feel so inspired after listening to their stories. Kindness is what this world needs more of. May you all be blessed. To those that passed may you rest in peace. You will not be forgotten.

This reminds me of another company that was affected on 9/11, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald survived bc he was taking his son to kindergarten, while everybody in his office perished all 658

Night shift must feel so much survivors guilt.

My spouse and I had one of our most memorable dinners ever at Windows on the World. We had a two-top table pushed up against the window looking up Manhattan. It was magical! I actually left there thinking how nice all the people were. My heart breaks for them.

9/11 has truly changed lives for the worse. While there's this facade of unity, people turned against one another in suspicion based on their colour, religion and culture.

i can’t listen to a single story of someone that relates to 9/11 without tearing up/ crying

I had lunch at Windows on the World about 1 month before 9/11 - it was a sponsored meal by Dell and Microsoft. I remember walking up to the windows in the dining area and trying to look all the way down - and marveling at how humans had built this.

I'm sorry for all your lost friends and family. I am also sorry for how so many were treated afterwards.

‘ I wish I could write in in front of me, it’s not me’ as a Muslim, I can feel you. When you sympathise with the victims and have nothing but good thoughts and feelings for them but still are looked at like you have personally harmed them.

What a surreal experience to leave work one night and then for the next day the entire building is gone or basically destroyed and of course so many coworkers and friends. It's like you are looking back on a dream, something that now seems so improbable to ever have existed in the first place. You could really lose your mind thinking about it.

You should list the names at the end of the video. My neighbor was one of the victims from the Windows of the World. What's more sad is that he had that day off, he was only covering for a friend that wanted to spend time with his daughter on her birthday. 😢

What a beautiful tribute to their brothers and sisters. What a blessing to have coworkers who truly become family. Friends are the family we choose.

Idk why but something about the restaurant and what happened to those poor people just gives me an odd feeling. I think it’s just knowing that they were at the very top and I always wonder what it was like for them. The phone calls that took place from there and the lady talking about people deciding to jump. Heartbreaking. There are no words

It’s been 21 yrs and i still remember it like it was yesterday. I feel for them and their coworkers, such a tragic loss.

I remember The United States all coming together for each other and now look at us.. Such hate and division like I've never seen before in my life.. It's sad..

It’s amazing how many stories have come out about ordinary people who stepped up to help. People who took in airplane passengers who were stranded far from home. People who came in their boats to evacuate people from Manhattan island, and now bilingual people who were able to translate for those trying to contact family and find out if they were ok. Hearing about so many regular people who were heroes gives me hope. ❤️

TO THE 73 PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON 9-11-2001 WHO WORKED AT WINDOWS ON THE WORLD!!--YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! EVERYBODY LOVES & MISSES YOU ALL--EVEN PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO NEVER MET YOU OR KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT YOU UNTIL 9-11-01!! RIP!! ALL THE BEST EVEN IN THE GREAT BEYOND!! 👍

Glad someone brought up the blue collar workers in this tragedy. Myself like others were only flooded information about the big players, bankers, etc. RIP to all lost lives, even the ones that are still affected post 9/11 due to their physical and mental health conditions.

I was conceived in late July 1968 weeks before tower 1 began it's journey skyward and was born 3 months after tower 2 started going up and grew up with them, It was 1976 and i was 7 yrs old and off school sick and was watching a documentary on the construction and my mind was blown when i saw them on the screen. Also i'm autistic and led a lonely childhood and even tho i had a younger estranged brother and sister, i considered the towers my brother and sister and it was my dream to go by the time i'm 30. I turned 30 in 1999 and wasn't financially stable enough to go, so i made a promise to go in 3 to 5 years, and 2 years later i watched them collapse, i couldn't believe it and my heart sank because no matter how rich or successful i become i'll never ever stand on the top of the world and that makes me so sad.

Spent a week in New York end of July 2001, and nobody else in my group wanted to eat there. I’m so thankful I persisted and got to enjoy eat there on July 29th, 2001. Hard to look at pictures from that meal knowing most of the staff we met were likely working that morning.

They're lucky their shift didn't begin till 4 PM on 9/11 since both collapse earlier that day, I'm just glad they're alive and well.

My dad visited the WTC in 2001 and he told me a lot of stories about it. Probably the most beautiful restaurant in the world. Atleast at the time. I can't imagine what the staff went through that day....I truly cannot imagine the horror of that day it just blows my mind thinking about making a decision on whether to die of the flames or jump to my death. Can you imagine making a decision on how you would prefer to die in that situation? I can't imagine.

The world is full of amazing people, intricate and beautiful cultures, languages, spirituality, music, food... and it's wonderful that it can all come together and be in one place in the USA. Yet so many people here don't appreciate that. I love being in a city that's full of people from around the world, being able to hear different languages, it makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger, it's humbling. And how exciting it is to always have opportunities to learn about all these differences, and to find out our similarities at the same time. We're all on this planet together, let's just be good while we're still alive.

Most of the people who jumped that day were from Windows and Cantor Fitzgerald.

It is so sad to hear that man mourn his coworkers and realize that not only did he have to deal with the pain of losing his “brothers and sisters” but then have to endure the racial profile of people thinking he might have something to do with it, staring at him and him keep saying “I wish I could write in front of me ‘it wasn’t me’ “. Poor man. I can’t imagine the pain.

They were such thankful and appreciative employees coming to this country for a better life and here people born and raised here can’t even appreciate what they have and are too entitled and apathetic.

Fair wages for livelihoods is the absolute least that can be done to honor those who spend their lives feeding their fellow humans.

reading the manager's stories on all of the workers that requested last minute shift swaps and watching all the people he was responsible for waving tablecloths out of the windows was genuinely terrible. restaurant workers (especially ones from other countries) are some of the most hard-working people you'll ever meet and they were so proud to work at the best restaurant in the country. this is one of those stories that i cant even think about without tearing up.

working in the service industry can be mentally and physically draining but you meet most amazing people, people that you see more than your own family. Those bonds are strong and run deep given the right people, my heart goes out to these everyday heroes families and friends. None of them deserved that

Workers deserve better, we must honor wtc workers

Dang, now that I work in a kitchen as a dishwasher, this really gets me in the feels. I also will forever feel so sad for all those who perished that day and after. I actually lived across the street from where the head chef, Michael Lomonaco, currently works. But that was like 5-6 years ago, though. He's really nice.

Thank you for this video! I've been looking for this for so long so that I can hear the voices of the people who worked in the Windows and share their story.

In all of the tragedy we never really think of the collateral damage e.g. people losing their jobs. This event affected so many people on so many levels for so many years...

You will be remembered by those who survived and you are never forgotten by the the world, I still cry whenever and I am proud of you guys...

I met my future wife on a Blind Date at Window's on The World. We spent countless celebration's there. The atmosphere, staff, food & piano player was always perfect. RIP Forever 💔🌹

This is exactly what I was searching for. I knew people working there would have a special bond, and pride, because honestly this was a special workplace. So glad to see they keep the memorials for their 73 colleagues that lost their lives that day..

It’s so inspiring to be a hardworking immigrant in any country. :’)

Why does this feel comforting to hear about these hidden voices of the windows of the world. Just a normal and beautiful day that turned into a disaster. RIP to all the lives lost on 9/11.

That lady didn’t even age in the past 20 years

9/11 was such an awful day that effected the world in one way or another. For me living in the UK, I felt sick to my stomach when I saw those towers fall and like the guy said in the video, if the towers hadn't fallen, the holes would have been repaired and eventually everyone would have gone back to work. The original World Trade Center was on my bucket list of places to visit one day but that dream was shattered for me on 9/11. But I couldn't possibly imagine how the people of New York and especially the people who worked within lower Manhattan must have been feeling that day. Rest In Peace to all who died on 9/11.

I still have a cookbook featuring recipes from famous restaurants around the world. One recipe is from Windows on the World. Makes me feel sad to see it. I knew a guy who had a friend that worked in the restaurant, and died. This guy said he could see the towers from his office, and knew his friend was dead.

I used to work as a hostess on a restaurant that is on the tallest building of my city São Paulo, on the last floor. I felt you guys

I just finished watching World Trade Center and it always gets me… crying . Our beautiful people from all different parts of the world didn’t deserve this.

I'd give anything to hear the perspective of that couple that was the last customers there that night. Must be an insane feeling.

My mother went on a trip to New York maybe one or two weeks before 9/11. She had tickets to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. She told me she had breakfast at Windows on the World the day of the show. That awful day, all I could think about was the people in that restaurant. I wonder h ow many of the lost were people she interacted with that morning. I could picture them, going about their normal day, side work, preparations, never knowing what was to come and for many, it would be their last day. We tend to not focus on the everyday workers who were lost that day. The loss of life was so great and its hard to really focus on any individual. But they were there. They were Americans. We should not forget any of them.

I live in lima and I didn't expect to see a fellow peruvian in this video. I'm glad to see that she's ok.

I was an employee of the most wonderful and magical place of the world I will never forget when I was a hostes I meet this wonderful housekeeping lady African American and ask how long that you work here she smile and say long time I will never leave this place I am happy here. and they treat me with a lot love this feeling was all over the restaurant you will take you break and everyone had smile of being part of the restaurant happiness was contagious employees food was incredible until now after all this years have never work in place like this it was one of the kind place that stay in you heart forever 21 years and all the memories still in my heart and my mind it was painful before and still painful now I don't think I will never get over of this pain my brother pass away on 2014 of the impact of 9/11 he went thats day to help he was a construction worker an my brother who run from 204 street inwood to the close hospital to the twins towers he is a Doctor.. They told him nobody is coming so he say you can take my blood is one of the kind and they did. I will never forget rest in pace my wonderful people of WINDOWS OF THE WORLD and all the construction workers that they still dying God bless America

I was 21 when 9/11 happened. Can’t believe that was more than half my life ago already 🤯

I was studying in Ecuador when I found out what was going on in the US and two weeks later my mom's sister said that her coworker helped plan the fieldtrip for those kids and was on the plane with them when it hit the Pentagon. I could tell how devastating it was.

❤😥 Everyone deserves a living wage.

I went to New York summer of 2000 with my dad and sister at the age of 12 and I remember how super magical it was.. the tall buildings were so amazing, the restaurants were delicious and the people were so lovely! It was such a memorable experience overall. I really loved it!! They say NY has really changed post 9/11 so I feel very lucky that I got to visit New York before the tragedy. I even have the hotel magazine that says: WELCOME TO NEW YORK! And the date is: 2000-2001. My only regret is not visiting the observation deck atop the WTC because it would've been incredible to see the view! But, a part of me is also thankful I didn't visit the WTC because it would've probably really messed with my mind..

such amazing people so sad they lost there friends such a tragic event may they rest in peace

My all the poor souls who died rest in peace you will never be forgotten

Over the years working in the restaurant business in Buffalo N.Y i would arrange various getaways for co-workers for 3 days because it was a 1 hour flight down to LaGuardia airport. EVERY trip we would have dinner and see a show then jump in cabs down to the WTC. Strictly cocktails and walking around in this beautiful place. On 9/11 i saw from the helicopter film a busboy who was waving a tablecloth out a broken window trying to get help up to their restaurant. Help that would never come. I didnt know a soul in that restaurant but i still cry for them and want them to know how welcome they made us feel. Buffalo Bob.

9/11 attack was really devastating and one of the darkest days for many many people 😞

I had thanksgiving dinner there the year before (10 months earlier) at the age of 17. Our server had told us he had been there for a couple years. Though, I don’t remember his name I still remember his face; he was such a joyful person. Every year the anniversary comes around I think about him and whether he was there that morning. So unbelievably tragic.

When I was a kid, 10,11,12, I always dreamt of being a chef, cooking was something I loved even as a child and unlike most children, I day dreamed about cooking in the greatest restaurants in the world and one that always stuck out to me as a "dream job" was working at "Windows on the World" inside the WTC building... 2001, killed my 13 year old self's dream and honestly, not long after, my desire to want to cook slowly went away. These days I'm a baker so I did stay in the food industry but when Windows on the world, went away, it seems my dream to want to be a line cook / chef went with it... I wish I could have had the chance to work there, I wish it was still there, that it never happened. I often wonder what would have come of my life if I had kept my dream alive...

Wow there are so many people with so many different stories from different angles.

Thank you for this. I have no words but thank you and may all their memories be a sweet blessing.

I worked in fine dining for many years, the "blue-collar" food service and restaurant personnel who perished always haunts me. When you work in the service industry, you do become family with your coworkers. People may look down on restaurant folk but it's so misplaced, many take great pride in their job. It makes real skill and knowledge to create a great experience and magic. Say what you will about immigration but the way these people were treated afterward is terrible. Good enough to serve your food, buss your table, make your event magic but hunted down afterward. Bless the memory of those who came in for their last lunch shift. You're finally "out of the weeds" and can rest.

Thank you for sharing. My condolences to the family of those who died.

i visited this restaurant in the 1980s whilst on vacation

So sad. A day for tears. I visited it on a tour . We can never forget.

I hope they prevail with their movement, because after all that they've done that rebenefited people around them. They don't deserve to be ignored or discrimated. Love 2 you all and my extended condolences to you all as well.

2:01 I wish that man had this voice 20 years ago. I needed him. “It was bigger than all of us.”

I loved dining there, I would always request a table away from the windows, the view was great but to look outside was scary for me, thank you staff and management for a great experience every time....... 💞

I’ve never worked in a restaurant but I have massive respect for those who do. Especially in a high end restaurant like that with such high expectations from everyone. I knew someone who wanted to go to Windows on the World for her 20th wedding anniversary. The problem was it was in May 2002 so she never got the chance :(

Thank you all for this.

Till this day, we don’t know what happened that day. Families of the victims deserve to know. Iraq and Afghanistan deserve to know The world deserves to know. The official story make absolutely no sense.

Their souls shine through, by just listening to them, one can tell they are such good people. I can only imagine those 70+ souls who worked there on that fateful day, were just as kind, full of life, dreamers, doers, go getters 😢. I can’t help but cry 😢. Rest in heavenly peace, you will never be forgotten ❤

thanx for this story * thanx for sharing such deep sorrow * thanx for helping me to appreciate human goodness even deeper * thanx for the spirit of fairness & equality * truly grateful * 🙏 🕯

Beautiful testimony. How I wish I could have spent a meal with these lovely people and enjoyed that breathtaking view 😢 🌆! Lost but never forgotten 🖤!

Rest In Peace everyone

Sad, sad, that so many were lost who worked in this restaurant. I worked in several restaurants from 1988 until 2005 in Illinois, and thank God nothing this drastic happened. I hope the families and friends of these people have healed from this incredibly terrible experience.

Minute 2:00 / 7:25 😢 💔 This is no accident, "THIS IS BIGGER THAN ALL OF US"!!! I remember that day like it was yesterday. I truly believe because "It's was BIGGER THAN ALL OF US" - we all suddenly came together as one and helped each other ❤️ get through it!!! It really bonded us New Yorker's together...

Don't forget the hardworking immigrants that have built New York City and the rank and file workers like those remembered in this moving documentary short. I have great memories of Windows on the World.

My husband and I really enjoyed this restaurant. Getting a table at a window was spectacular, the view was incredible.

An alumn of my high school, Christine Oleander, was the assistant GM. I've met her family and saw the phone transcription from the call she made that morning. RIP to all.

I hope America catches up to your standards sweeties, and don't forget your friends and coworkers 💝😢😥😭🇺🇲 Windows of the soul!

I watched documantaries about their group, planes and the building, I was reading all textes about all of those planes, people and the building that were written before and after the accident, this is a DISASTER that we will never forget

Will never forget that day and where exactly I was...only in elementary...in Canada, at that.

I worked for another clubcorp company at the time. We ALL felt the loss that day.

Fresh tears remembering a horrific time in the US. I still weep for what we lost collectively that day.

Rest in peace to those who died , so sorry to them and their loved ones 🕊🤍

My heart hurts watching this video. There have been so many tragedies that have hit close to home since but this was different. At that time, as a child, I thought bad things only happened “over there” and not - being in Canada 45 mins from NY state - what felt like right in my backyard. It hurts even more watching this video as these were immigrants who were working in what is known to be a cutthroat industry, trying to make their way (and likely supporting their families abroad). They will never be forgotten.

Watching with love from the islands of Malta 🇲🇹 Remembering that day like yesterday 🙏♥️🌹

Why is this the first I've ever heard about this? I didn't know there were restaurants in the towers. I didn't know restaurant workers died.

She's all smiles. You can really tell she's a hostess 💓💓💓

It was actually "good" that the attacks happened early morning and not in the late afternoon. Could you imagine the number of people - including tourists on the observation deck - in the building? The death count would've been far higher.. scary thought.

It was a great restaurant, dining experience and the staff was excellent. I remember these guys going through a hard time bc of thier status. No more. Equal opportunities for everyone and god rest the lost souls😢

I don’t know if I’d be smiling recalling this, like they are

They all look so happy in the photo. 🥺💕

So sorry for your loss.