Newly Released 9/11 Footage Offers Powerful, Personal Perspective

Nearly 20 years after the September 11 attacks, never-before-seen video has emerged—giving a haunting new view of the moment the second plane struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Filmed from a boat near Manhattan, the footage was shared online by Kevin Westley, who originally uploaded it years ago but had mistakenly kept it private. The video captures stunned reactions from those on board, providing a raw, emotional layer to a moment in history many believed had already been fully documented.

Along with the video, Westley opened up about his personal connection to 9/11 and his later service in the Iraq War. He described the emotional weight of both experiences—recalling what it was like to escort fallen service members and survive nightly mortar attacks. “A piece of our soul is lost on the battlefield,” he wrote.

The article also pays tribute to firefighter Mike Kehoe, who was famously photographed running up the North Tower stairs while others were fleeing. Kehoe survived that day, though 343 of his fellow firefighters did not. Despite the long-term health risks from the attacks, Kehoe continues to serve. When asked why, he simply said, “I just love it.”

Westley’s footage and reflections are a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of 9/11—and the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived through it.