I was commuting to my New York office on Amtrak’s Keystone train from Trenton, N.J., to New York Penn Station. As the train approached Newark Station, we could see smoke coming from the first tower. On the train, there was talk of a plane accident and, of course, terrorism. I immediately thought it was domestic terrorism, like the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The train continued on its route to the city. When it arrived, many of the commuters turned right around and returned home, but I had a staff to account for, so I thought it best to get to the office. The subways weren’t running, but in a twist of fate, a cab pulled up, a passenger got out (probably rushing home), and I hopped in. At the office, everyone was in shock. One of my colleagues was going downtown, where we were conducting a cover shoot. (Believe it or not, it was an article on airport security). Telephone calls were sporadic. Everyone was together in the studio. I suggested we all focus on our tasks. Some time during the day, the telephones died, but email was still working. That day, we tried to pull things together and communicate with our head office in the U.K. I encouraged my employees not to leave the city, as there were droves of people evacuating. It turned out to be the right move; things were calmer by 3 p.m. 9/11 affected travel magazines probably more than any other medium due to the high frequency of travel among our subscribers and our staff. In 2001, I was working for another publication, but I took immediate action.

• One week after 9/11, we sent a heartfelt letter to all subscribers. This letter was met with overwhelming support from readers and subscribers and was copied by many publications.
• An email survey went out to subscribers about the effects of 9/11 and their fear/not fear to fly. This was followed two weeks later with the launch of a regular html newsletter.
• We held a benefit for the New York Police and Fire Widow’s and Children’s Benefit Fund. Helen Pappageorge of the NYPD accepted the funds raised in honor of her brother James, a firefighter who lost his life in the WTC.
• One year after 9/11, a team of us all flew to destinations around the country and reported on the experience.

9/11 had a far-reaching effect on all of us — emotionally and financially; the world changed that day. It continues to affect those who travel for a living with security measures, changes in the industry and concern about some markets. There is nothing more moving than to search online and read about the lives of those lost. Many were young and starting their careers, others were getting ready to retire. All of these lives were taken too soon. I made it home that day, presumably on the last train out of New York City. I watched the President’s address to the nation and was saddened. The next day I went into New York. My office was not near Ground Zero, so I felt the best thing to do for the city was to try to get my business back in shape and moving again. We have to be alert for any future events, but we must honor all those who died that day: the heroes who made a difference; the passengers on Flight 93 who averted more deaths in Washington, D.C.; the FDNY; the NYPD; and those who helped others to safety, not ever thinking of themselves. The memorial at Ground Zero is spectacular and moving. We have a small, very tasteful memorial near our offices in Yardley, Pa., called the Garden of Reflection. The memorial is for all 2,973 victims of 9/11 and the 18 from Bucks County. It has been singled out as the best 9/11 memorial to date and is well worth a visit. It took me a long time to go to the memorial; I was moved, and it made me reflect about the individuals and what we all have been through the past 13 years. Reflect, mourn and never let this happen again. — Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO