Remembering 9/11

I didn't even realize what today was until a co-worker pointed it out.

I still remember this day like it was yesterday, even though I didn't personally know anyone affected by it.

I was working midnights and had went to sleep after work.  When I woke up I thought that my grandma was watching a movie on TV.  I was stunned about the events that had happened while I was sleeping.  It was heartwenching thinking about the families that would never see their love ones again and the terror that the victims had to endure.

It still makes me shake just writting this.

I remember when I first heard that the first plane had hit the twin towers. I figured it was an accident. Not an attack. It wasn't until the second plane hit that I realized what was going on and got freaked.

I think there's been alot made of 9/11. It's been overdisussed, overpoliticized, turned into a conspiracy, but at the end of the day, I do think we should all remember it. It was the day that we realized we Americans are NOT safe in our own borders, that what happens overseas DOES affect us. We should always remember the people who died, the ones who just went to work or on a plane trip and never came home.

I remember when I first saw the news. I got home from school with my sister, and we just switched on the TV and bam - it was there, like an disaster film, but... not a film at all. And I was horrified. Even at the age I was, I was horrified. Even if it wasn't in my country, the idea of the loss, and the sight of the damage done... nnh. I can still picture walking in and seeing it vividly.

I know a couple of people who lost friends in the disaster. That emotion, repeated over for every person that lost a friend, or a family member, during 9/11, well. I can't begin to imagine.

I remember in the aftermath the countless faces of people holding pictures, desperately searching, the pain so vivid in their eyes it reached through the TV screen and squeezed the breath from me.

I remember how quiet the skies were without planes, no lights drifting beneath the stars.

I remember being at work on the day it happened and listening to radio news reports.  It wasn't until I got home and saw the TV that the horror really struck me. 

My co-worker was on holiday in New York at the time and was actually on the runway waiting to take off when the first plane hit.  They were told to leave the plane and wait for news - it was days before we heard from him to tell us all was OK.  Frightening.

I remember waking up to it on the early morning news, as I watched in total disbelief my hands started to shake, my eye's filled with tears that couldn't be stopped as I thought of all those people alive but trapped and facing their inevitable death. Making phone calls to their nearest and dearest to tell them how much they loved them! I can't even begin to imagine their feelings at that moment.

I have to stop now, the tears have started again :)

I will never forget all those who lost their lives and my deepest thoughts are with those who were left to carry on.

The world will always remember the day of 9/11

I used to work in an office building that was a few miles from the Pentagon.  Initially there was cars, people, confusion, and smoke everywhere.  Traffic came to a halt in that area.  I ended up taking the Metro home the long way because my usual route passed the Pentagon stop. 

It was scary.  I couldn't get in contact with anyone on my cell phone so I had no idea if my daughter was still at school or if someone had picked her up.  By the time I made it home there were hardly any cars or people anywhere.  Like many folks, my family came together, prayed, and stayed glued to the TV. 

A day for remembrance in honor of those lives lost in such a terrible way.  Remember not to take for granted those that you love so dearly.  Remember to give that kind word, kiss, or hug before you leave in the morning.

I worked in a grocery store chain in the deli.  My boyfriend at the time called to tell us what happened.  Then the second plane hit and someone said "what a coincidence" and I said that there was no way that was a coincidence.  We were not allowed to leave work, I left at the end of my shift at 4, and went home to see the horror.  I did not know personally anyone, but I felt for every single person that was frantically trying to locate their family and friends.  I do know people that lost their family in the attacks, and they should be remembered today as well as those who actually died.  Such a horrible thing to happen.

I was in a plane on the way to Mexico City when it happened.  When I heard people mumbling about it in the customs line and heard "planes hit the twin towers", I thought they were talking about a new Grisham novel or a movie.  The truth of it didn't hit me till much later, but the entire day I had knots in my stomach.

I couldn't get back to my family, I felt helpless, and despite all the kind efforts of the locals to make me and my co-worker feel better, we still felt alone.  And I lost a friend.

I wish I had something inspirational to write that didn't sound trite, but can't think of anything.  I'm going to look at the memorial page again.

I was at work, with none of actually believing the first plane was anything more than a tragic accident -- then rumours about the Pentagon, then we saw the second plane hit.  We were evacuated (which was a waste as I spent almost 1.5 hours in my car waiting to clear the parking lot) and didn't go back to work for a couple of days. We had a physical recall which required me to go around and actually find anyone who was not answering their phones.  We waited anxiously for news of family, friends, and co-workers who were in NY or at the Pentagon during the attacks.  Watched the news obsessively.

Not a day goes by where I forget about 9/11 -- there is always something that strikes a chord.

I was in 12th grade, in a suburb of DC. During my second period class we all heard about it, but it was like a rumor, no one believed it could be true. Then in my third period class (AP English) everyone started realizing it was real and the teacher turned on the TV. Then another teacher was going around telling us we weren't allowed to watch tv... Eventually they sent us all home. I don't know anyone who lost someone close, but at school that day there were a lot of people very worried since most of us had parents working in and around DC. My best friend's mom worked at NSA. Periodically in class before they let us go the office would call down to our classroom over the PA system to let some students know their parents called and they were ok.

9/11?... all i remember from that is how its been used over and over for political manipulation of America... weee

September 11th for me was a total blur of tears and heartache.  My heart broke that day over and over again as I watched the news coverage.

What was most memorable to me was September 12.  I was unbelievably proud of my country, and proud to be an American.  The unity we experienced as a country, the days after 9/11, is something I will never forget.  My friend was in the Army at this time, stationed in DC.  He was one of our brave service men who searched for survivors at the Pentagon, and later collected the remains of the men and women who died.  

My respect for the armed services was heightened.  My appreciation for the firemen and policemen was overwhelming.  I loved my country more then I ever had previously.  Sometimes I forget that feeling.  As frustrated as I am sometimes with the way our country is run, I know that we can be better.  September 12, 2001 proved that, to me.

excellent post, crazi.

I remember exactly where I was...

At the time we were living on base. I was getting ready to leave for work and take my daughter to daycare.  by then they already had the base on lockdown.  no one could neither leave nor get on base.  My stupid boss didn't believe me when I told her we weren't allowed to leave the base.  everything was crazy... we only had 3 more weeks left before we were getting out of the Air Force and they put a stop-loss on soooo many soldiers.  my husband was an SP (cop) and from that day on until we got out 2 years later, he was working 18 hour shifts 5-6 days a week.  :/

I wont forget that day.... not for some of the reasons mentioned above (overdisussed, overpoliticized, turning into a conspiracy or the political manipulation of America) but for the effects it's had on my life and our country.

Nice thread Ruth, it's never a bad thing to remember important things such as 9/11 and that really AREN'T truely safe.  THAT's why I have so much respect for our military, police officers, fire fighters, rescuers... etc...

RIP Joey, my friend and a brave NYC firefighter that died in Tower 2.  His body was never found.

Joey, you ran in when others were fleeing.  You loved that job so much and in the end, gave your life for others while doing it.  I miss you and I love you!

May we never forget. 

Original Post by loriklorik:

9/11?... all i remember from that is how its been used over and over for political manipulation of America... weee

 I lost my brother that day...

((((Tomchan0))) I'm so very sorry.  I cannot even fathom how hard today must be for you.

I was a first year university student in Nova Scotia, Canada. I was on my way to my very first chem class, leaving the student union building when someone ran out and said that planes had hit the world trade centre in NY. I was ignorant at that time to world issues and carried on my way to class. When I got home that night, I fully understood what had happened and why that person was crying in a panic. My father was part of the transit authority in our city and we were a major diversion point for international flights since US air space had been closed down. Our city gave many busses to get those stranded people out of the airport to hotels and shelters. I think we as Canadians (especially newfs) showed our devotion to helping others in their time of need and that made me proud of our country.

I can't believe it's been 7 years already...
I was a senior in high school. We'd just finished some assembly and I was sitting in my AP Psych class. My AP gov teacher ran in and told us to turn it on CNN. We sat on the desks and watched the news all day.

Wow.. time flies...

My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones...

I was just headed out the door to work that morning when the TV caught my eye.  We had just flown in from Utah the night before.

Didn't think it was a terrorist attack until much later in the day.

When I got to work, the TV was on there as well.  Not much got done that day.

I remember the swell of patriotism and thinking that my feelings paralleled those felt by my grandparents when Pearl Harbor occurred...sentiments probably echoed already.

I also remember how blue the skies became due to the grounding of the airplanes and how the only planes that I did see were the local F-16 patrol (over Duluth, MN...a prime target, I'm sure).

Governor Paterson's moment of silence today at 10:29 (the time the second tower collapsed) was surprisingly awkward...not people should collectively remember that day.