This is a transcript of the remarks Judy Cobden made at the 9/11 observance held Sunday at the 9/11 memorial in Oakland Beach.

I am honored to be asked to speak today. My name is Judy Cobden, I was born and raised in this city. Yes, I am a 9/11 survivor and my pain and condolences go out to those who lost loved ones as I consider myself and my family lucky. Please excuse me if I don’t speak as well as I would like to. This is a very emotional day for me.

I don’t need to recall the horrors of my day to you all and will say just this…I was simply just a person who woke up on Sept. 11 to do my usual routine. I woke up, walked my dog and got ready for work. I got onto the subway and headed to work where I was employed as a Sales Practice Investigator at the American Stock Exchange located at Ground Zero on Trinity Place. As my train approached Rector Street an announcement was made for “all to get off as this will be the last stop”, I thought “How strange”. As I climbed the stairs to street level I walked into complete chaos. People were screaming, they were frantic, “the WTC is on fire...people are falling from the sky.” I was confused until I took a few steps and saw the fire. I immediately entered my building. Apparently the first plane hit right as I arrived.

At this point we thought it was an accident and then we saw the second plane hit and our building shook. We now knew that this was no accident and had to decide to leave or take shelter inside the building. During this time we tried to organize to leave. My phone rang in my office and it was one of my best friend’s screaming and crying to get out of there. I received a few of these calls as those who knew me, knew how close in proximity I was. Like those down there, I was just a civilian at work. As we tried to leave and escape we entered into a war zone. The horror…the sounds, sights and smells will never be forgotten. I managed to get across the Brooklyn Bridge to safety but this was after the first tower to crumble came down. Yes, I was one that was unrecognizable and covered in ash, glass and whatever else. I continued to walk seven miles home to Park Slope, Brooklyn, confused, scared and honestly in a daze. Once I saw my front door from across the street I collapsed on the ground and cried, as I couldn’t believe I was in sight of my home.

Later doctors asked me “how long was I down there,” others ask me the same. My answer is simple: “I don’t know, time stood still. I was later taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning and glass removal from my head and face.

The sneakers that I am wearing don’t match my outfit but they are the ones I had on that helped me escape. I only wear them on 9/11, a ritual. The pin I have on is what we were handed upon entering work days later, and I wear it every year on this day.

This is the very short version that I feel comfortable sharing, but what I would like to share is how people were. People turned kind. So many people asked if I was okay as I walked. I was offered a drink or to sit inside their home. The world became this kinder place. People were filled with compassion and actually offered help. A month later

I became very sick and had a form of respiratory failure. I was later diagnosed with WTC Induced asthma, the same condition many of our brave fire and policemen suffer from today. I had to have my tear ducts cleaned out and these doctors who treated me would not even accept my co-pay. My counseling and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder was provided to me free of charge by professionals from all over the country that selflessly volunteered their time to help for weeks at the American Stock Exchange during working hours. We were told that they don’t expect us to function well at work and took a kindness, compassion and understanding that you seldom get from your employer. My question is, where did this kindness and solidarity go?

Fifteen years later and look at this country, look at this world. So much hate, so much division, lack of compassion and so much intolerance and understanding for those that are different from us. ISN’T THIS HOW THIS TRAGIC DAY HAPPENED? People not liking us for the way we live?

We should NEVER forget this tragic day; and I know I will always suffer from it. However, we should never forget WHY this happened so it does not happen again. We are a country divided and not united!

This needs to change. We need to go back and remember the solidarity this country had and that the world had, after this tragic event.

This is what people need to do to truly commemorate this tragic day: be kind, helpful and understanding to each other. We don’t always have to agree but we should always be respectful. The disagreeing, fear and intolerance need to stop. We are all humans and are more alike than different.