911 - where were you 5 years ago today?

I'm feeling very blah and down today, and I'm not sure if it's because I'm actually tired, or because it's 9/11. I think it's a combination of both. Regardless, I got thinking about what I was doing 5 years ago today, so I thought it would be nice to share some stories.

What were you doing 5 years ago today? When the planes hit the towers? When the buildings fell? What did you do afterwards? Did you know anyone in NYC that day?

I'll start: I was a sophomore in college in Potsdam, NY. I was TAing freshman biology lab, and we were outside taking samples from the river when the first plane hit.  When we came back into the Science Center, the prof pulled me aside and told me what had happened. I thought he was joking at first, and kinda blew him off. The lab wrapped up not long after that, and I got back to my apartment right before the towers collapsed.  Most of the rest of the day was spent watching TV. I don't think I went to any more classes that day, but it's kind of a blur. I remember feeling very vulnerable, even though I was in a little hick town in the North Country of NYS, and I didn't know anyone that was directly involved. But it still had a huge impact on me. I felt the need to do something, so I helped organize efforts on campus. We made red, white, and blue ribbons that we handed out and everyone wore for weeks. We organized a candlelight vigil. We also made a huge card that people signed and we sent to NYC. The whole thing made me realize how isolated I usually was to current events while in college, but that things were still happening and that we were still vulnerable.

Wow, sorry that was so long! I guess I needed to get that out!!

when it happened I was a sophmore in high school and it was my lunch period.  All of a sudden it got really loud, everyone was talking and arguing about something...and the rumors that the Pentagon had been blown up and the Trade Towers had been attacked spread immediately.  We were sent to our classes early and I sat in AP bio with my 9 other classmates and techer for the entire 90 minutes watching the news. 

The rest of the day was filled with speculation as to who was behind it all...I won't get started on all the accusations

When my mom came to pick me up from school that day she told me that my cousin was alright....I had never known this before, but she worked in one of the towers.  She had stayed home that day to wait for the plumber

yea...I can't believe that was already 5 years ago

I was on the phone with my aunt.  I was about to leave to go to the Bronx from Brooklyn for the mourning period of my husband's grandfather who had passed away 2 or 3 days before.  I would have had to take the Battery Tunnel... I got a ton of phone calls not to come.  It was very depressing... smoke everywhere even in Brooklyn, office papers floating in the sky...

We couldn't watch the coverage b/c all the TV stations (no cable) went down but one that we always had fuzzy reception to.

I hope all those touched more closely than I was by the events can find some comfort and there should be peace in the world.

I was at working listening to my little radio that playes tv stations and was listening to the today show, they said a small personal plane crashed into the twin towers. I thought that was a little weird, but accidents happen. Then they came on again saying that a second plane hit the towers, and that one was a comercial jet liner and knew right then that we were being attacked. I pulled the headphone jack out of the radio, put it up on my cubicle for other co-workers to hear. We we all very stunned, and for the most part, the floor was very quite. One of my co-workers started to cry as she found out her son was boing called in from the national guard to activate him as we were being attacked. I then remember reports of a plane flying over the white house, and it turned away and then a plane hit the pentagon and they were assuming it was the same plane (it was not). Was pretty scarry, most of us were just speachless. I went home and watched all the new info unfold and remember watching the towers collapse.

I was getting ready for work when I turned on the TV...which I rarely did. I saw the news about a plane hitting the first tower. I was confused as to how that could happen. When the second one hit, we ALL knew it was not an accident. Felt a bit sick.

I drove to work. When I arrived my boss had brought a TV in and we all just sat and watched. When the towers fell, I cried. I couldn't help it. After they fell, my boss said to everyone,"go home and be with your families. We're closed today."

Such an empty feeling. And I wasn't even directly affected....but I guess in a way, we all were.

The night before (the 10th), I just flew back in from Winnipeg to Vancouver.  On the 11th I had the day off, didn't bother turning on the TV or picking up the news paper.  My work called ...I figured they wanted me to come in..so i didn't pick up the phone.  Than they called again...so I finally picked up.  They were like "You made it" ...I was like - of course! it's only a 3 hour trip! Than my boss says "what, you live underneath a  rock or something...the US has been attacked! As soon as I heard that I turned the TV on to see the plane hitting the WTC.  For the next 24 hours I would glued to the TV set.

I was in my first month of teaching at a small college in the Midwest.  I was born in NYC, and really felt far away from my family and friends.  One of my friends was trapped on the subway underground for 3 hours, which turned out to be a blessing b/c she was late going to her new job--as a translator in the WTC towers.  One of my new students was hysterical b/c his mom was on a business trip from Chicago to Boston, and she was supposed to fly that morning.  The family couldn't reach her. 

All in all, we were lucky--everyone we knew survived, but the feelings and emotions were heavy and intense.  I still feel them today, on the "anniversary."

To all who have experienced loss and gone through this first-hand in the cities affected, my heart and thoughts go out to you.

I guess it all just leaves me wishing even more for peace.

Hi, Well I was home getting dressed to go to the Tuesday morning ladies prayer meeting at my church. I usually had my tv on in the morning tuned to good morning america, but as I was getting dressed I had the tv off. My daughter in law called and told me her mom called her and said to turn the tv on. and there it was the first tower that was hit looked like a scene from an action disaster movie!!! It looked so surreal. Then I went to church right after the second plane hit and we prayed of course at the meeting about this horrible situation. I heard on my car radio on the way home then about the pentagon and the flight 93. What really amazes me even now is that the trade centers were not as full as they could have been. The pentagon was hit in the only spot on the building that was re-enforced and upgraded. The planes were not as full as they could have been, and the bravery of those on flight 93. What a horrible day that was. And so many precious lives were lost. But even then as is now,God is still in control. Love linda

*I apologize for the previous post that I made, I realize (thanks pooh) that this was not an appropriate place to express those sentiments. I am deeply sorry for everyone who was affected by 9/11 and who have experienced any kind of loss related to it.

I was at work in Milwaukee Wisconsin at a facility that treated MRDD (mental retardation and developmental disability).  At this hour we always have the news on for the young adults to be exposed to normalcy as much as they can.  I saw the first plane hit and my heart sunk to the ground then the second one and I was in tears.  We sat there for most of the day and none of the MRDD individuals on my unit went to work or school that day.  This was my last two days at the facility because I was moving to Arlington, VA.  I remember moving to Arlington, VA the next weekend and still seeing smoke in the air from the plan hitting the pentagon.  I drove by the pentagon and the white house every day at my new job which was a social worker for the homeless in Washington, DC.  This really tore my heart apart.  Then on top of that the first sniper shooting was two blocks from my apartment when I decided to stay with some friends in Centreville, VA.  So I decided to move from there to Kansas City, KS where my husband was currently working.  We both traveled for our careers but this was the last straw so I quit my career and moved to be with him.  This was a blessing in disquise because my husband and I were able to actually have a true relationship.  I still pray for the families and the people directly affected by 9/11.  I did not know anyone in NYC and I have never been there but know that God was working to have so many people be late to work or off work that day that they were not in the WTC that day.  It could of been a lot worse :(.

Hi Jayd294mp, not sure I understand your message?  The UK extensively covered the events on that day.  I am from the UK and spent the whole day watching the events unfold and pretty much it was on TV here in England for the rest of September.  We also have programmes on TV and radio regularly.  My daughter was a month old and I remember crying pretty much all day (I was in hospital with depression anyway - so probably shouldn't have watched the news).  One thing this did was to make me realise that I should live everyday the best I can and to enjoy what I have here and now.  My thoughts go out to everyone directly and indirectly affected by terrorism all over the world.

I'm sorry clair... I always loop UK in with the rest of europe... but we did not watch any tapes from the UK.

jayd, psst, left a note in your journal

hey jay, no need to apologise.  i guess all of us in the UK should consider ourselves European, but you ask any Brit and they will probably deny it!!! :)

pooh... note for you in your journal too! :)

I was at work at the Officers' Mess - I was walking by the TV room and heard a commotion - the pilots from our helicopter squadron were watching - the first plane had hit.  I will never ever forget when the first tower fell - grown men, soldiers, were so upset.  It was a day that felt surreal and full of fear and an overwhelming sadness.  Last night there was a show on the children from 9/11.  One child says to the Taliban - "You can't destroy love" and one child said she lay in bed with her sibling and asked her sibling "How will I ever be happy again?"  She learned that to be happy she must help others.  It was so very touching.  God bless all those who suffered that day as well as all those overseas fighting for justice and democracy in Afghanistan.  Politics aside, this is a day for reverence, remembering and honoring. 

I flew back from Paris yesterday and my brother is flying in tomorrow from Seattle. I am now living in a very rural area on an island in Lake Huron on the Ontario Canada side of the border.

But five years ago it was very different. I lived in the city, in a highrise and I went to work in a highrise building surrounded by other highrises. September 11th lasted beyond just the one day and it continues to this day. I wrote more about it in my journal. As sometimes I can get rather wordy.

I thought I would be ok today... but you know what, I am going to admit that it is ok to admit that I am not ok today. That is one of the surprises that I have found from my time here on C-C. That is is ok to have feelings. I am going to go make myself a big salad and curl up with a good book. I am going to stay away from the internet. Then I am going to spend this evening with my partner and have lots of big hugs.

 I was outback with my daycare kids playing in the yard. I had no idea what was going on. A father of one of my daycare children came to pick up his daughter. He told me what was going on...

After I heard the news which I believe was just after the 2nd plane struck the wtc, all I wanted was for my kids to be home with me. They were at school. The schools did let out and they were sent home.

I remember waking up and calling in to work, when my boss told me not to bother and to turn on the news. I immediately ran to the TV and watched in utter disbelief.

I was calling in to work because hubby and I were trying to conceive and this was supposedly "the" day. The memories of 9/11, for me are so bittersweet. So much tragedy, but we did make that baby. My son is now 4 and a half.

I'd just finished work and got home and put the TV on.  At first I thought it was advertising a new film, until I realised it was the news.  I was watching as the second plane hit.  I was totally shocked, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  People jumping from the windows.  The news showed it all.  I think that it's the most terrorfying thing I've ever seen.  I can't begin to imagined what it was like for peole who were actually there. 

After that I didn't want to be on my own and went to my Dads.  On the bus I was looking at everyone thinking "you don't know what's just happened do you?" I was half expecting everyone just to stop what they were doing.

Edit: I forgot to mention this was in the UK

that's a beautiful story, ruby. so happy that something so wonderful happened on that day for you despite the tragedy.