When retired Alfa Insurance agent Bob Mullen Jr. and wife, Ruth, visited New York City 14 years ago, Mullen knew the snapshots he took there would be treasured by his family when they looked back on their trip to The Big Apple. Back then, however, he had no way of knowing just how significant one of those photographs would become in the wake of Sept. 11.Dubbed by Mullen as “Sunset To Glory,” the original snapshot shows the twin towers of the World Trade Center rising like golden bars above the Manhattan skyline as they reflect the afternoon sun. Mullen, who recently rediscovered the photo, said he captured the spectacular sight by chance.”About 3 o’clock in the afternoon, we walked down to the Battery where you can take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I made my way up to the bow of the ferry and took three snapshots of the towers. My first snapshot happened to be the ‘miracle picture,'” he said. “The camera’s eye caught the towers in a split second when the sun illuminated them in a spectacular way and reflected them into the water.”After Sept. 11, Mullen reviewed his vacation photos and found the snapshot, which he shared with friends and family. Many were so impressed by the picture that they encouraged the amateur shutterbug to make copies of the print.
Fueled by his friends’ excitement, Mullen began searching for other published photographs of the twin towers, but he found no other image in which the sunlight was reflected so vividly by the huge buildings.He has since contracted with Galassini & Associates of Montgomery to promote the sale of “Sunset To Glory.” Mullen currently is selling 11- x 14-inch prints for $19.95, including shipping.Mullen also donated a 30- x 36-inch print to Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation, which has been on display at the corporate headquarters in Montgomery since Sept. 1.In addition to displaying the print, Alfa and Federation employees observed the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11 by observing a moment of silence and participating in a blood drive.To order a copy of “Sunset To Glory,” send a check for $19.95 to: Galassini & Associates, 4210 Lomac St., Montgomery, AL 36106 or call (334) 277-5000.