Few remember there was a mayoral primary election taking place on September 11, 2001. When the attacks began, I was on my way to vote. I recall a middle-aged traffic cop telling me a small plane hit one of the Twin Towers. I remarked that a bomber once accidentally flew into the Empire State Building, killing several.

A young NYPD officer stood outside the polling place. I told him something bad had happened downtown, and to check in with his sergeant, which he did. I went in and voted.