[ajbdk5]

Where were you on 9/11?


I am counting my blessings, remembering and praying for the victims of Sep. 11th and their loved ones left behind.

I will say some prayers and put a candle in my window to honor the victims of that terrible day, but it hardly seems enough.

I will never forget.

God Bless our troops, God Bless our beloved country.



Amy

[mickaholic4077]

I was subbing at a school. On my break,I was surfing the net on another website when I saw all these topics all of a sudden about the WTC. I turned on the TV to see what was going on,and was absolutely horrified. The worst thing was I was subbing for an elementary school class and couldn't say a thing aboutwhat was happening! Then an hour later it occured to me that my sister,who worked in the Empire State Building,was in grave danger,so I called on my cell phone my sister's mother-in-law. All I said to her was,"Is everybody okay?" She said yes and I hung up. Another teacher was in the class at the time doing an activity with the kids. None of the kids heard me at all,but apparently this teacher did,because she reported me to the principal. When I was talking to my subbing supervisor about it,I was very mad that I had been reported and made my feelings known. That still bugs me to this day when I think about it. Trivial,I know,but I can't help it.:( :( :(

[disneymaverick]

I was at work (my 2nd week at a new job) and remember sitting a my desk and getting a call from my mom (who was watching my sick dog for me) she said a plane crashed into the WTC then we hung up then she called back and about 1 minute into our 2nd phone call the 2nd plane hit and her and i just cried on the phone. i will always remember us all at work just worry about our new york branches and we all just huddled around and listened to the radio and looked at the internet.
i found out later one of my old supervisors sister died in the WTC so you never know who was affected. It affecte\sme to this day i hurt and cry for all of those that lost loved ones. i watch these tv shows and just cannot believe that happened. Tomorrow i will say a prayer for everyone who lost loved ones and i will prayer that this terrorism will end.

[jessie]

I remember that I had just started my mail route and one of my customers came out and told me to come in and watch what was on TV. I couldn't believe it and I started wondering about my neice and nephew who live in NY. Finally I got a hold of them and they were OK. My prayers are with all who lost family members that day.
Jess

[goofygal1975]

I was at work at my previous job. I heard breaking news on the radio, and really didn't believe what i was hearing. After a few minutes, rumblings were heard on the 8th floor where i worked. Our traders on another floor have TV's and had passed the word onto other employees. I pulled up MSNBC.com and listened to it as much as i could, and also went to view some of the TV coverage. Our VP held a meeting and said "make all the calls, local or long distance you need to make sure your family and friends are safe." I just remember thinking i wanted to get home to my family ASAP. They never did let us go home, working in a financial institution we needed to stay to handle calls and such, I suppose.

I was just watching 60 minutes where President Bush was discussing his thoughts and actions on and immediatly after 9/11. That just brought back all the memories and feelings of 2 years ago.

I feel for all the familes and friends of the victims of 9/11. :cry:

God Bless America, and all our Heros fighting the war here and abroad; all the firefighters and police officers, our millitary men and women....Thank You

[ilvminnie]

I actually wasn't working that day & had slept in a little. I woke up & turned the news on (as I always do, news junkie that I am!) just as the 2nd plane flew in to the 2nd tower. Of course I immediately called Rafikiman, but I was in such shock that all I could think of to ask him was "What's happening?" He said we were under attack & that he was on his way home. We spent the rest of the day together just mesmerized in front of the television. Don't think I'll ever forget that day.

[DisneyTeacher]

I had just dropped my DS off at daycare and when I walked in my school a teacher had her TV on the Today show. I really didn't think anything of it as we all have TVs and cable in our classrooms. It was a few minutes later before I realized what was happening. I then had to face 25 8th grades and try to explain to them what was going on. They didn't understand why we were under attack and how people could hate us so much.

I have never been so happy to see my son as I was that day, I hugged him like I had never hugged him before. Being away from him that whole day was awful. I cannot imagine what those families went through that day and every day since. They will all be in my prayers tomorrow.

[dznygrl]

It happened to be the ONE morning my dad turned on the car radio on the way to school. It happened to be the right moment, too. We heard them playing a recording of screaming and then someone yelling that an airplane had crashed into the WTC. Then the recorded statement from the president...

It was by far the scariest, most devastating, traumatizing moment of my life. I'll never forget it, ever. We never used to listen to the radio on the way to school, but for whatever reason, God told my dad to turn on the radio on the morning of September 11, 2001. I heard the terror, the shock, the devastation in the voices of the people on the radio...and realized that this was an event that would change the entire country forever.

I spent the whole day in school praying desperately in my head for everyone who had been affected by this tragedy. I still pray for them to this day.

I was actually in WDW over the 1-year anniversary of 9/11, and when they had the moment of silence at noon, I cried. It doesn't matter that I wasn't personally affected by those events...my own countrymen were affected. It was the first time I'd ever seen America shattered momentarily.

But we are one strong nation, and I am so proud to be a part.

God Bless America

[iluvwdw]

I was in NYC, at my office across the street from Grand Central Station. We were having a sales meeting, with our radio station from Boston. Our meetings start at 8:30am. Shortly after our meeting started, one of the sales assistants knocked at the door and called one of the other sales reps out to tell her something was going on at WTC...her husband worked there. She came back in the conference room, told us what was going on and we immediately turned on the TV. We had NO IDEA what was happening at first. We didn't think of terrorism right away, we thought it was an aweful accident! Everyone was running out of the conference room crying (especially those with friends/family who worked at WTC) and trying to get in touch with their loved ones. We were mesmerized in front of the TV. Soon after, the other plane hit and we KNEW this was terrorism. We were all shocked, shaking and crying. No one knew what to do. We were all getting calls from our family and friends to make sure we were OK.

I will NEVER, EVER forget watching the first tower collapse on TV. Then the next one fell. I watched, dumbfounded, thinking...OH MY GOD, THE TWIN TOWERS ARE GONE. I have seen these towers ALL MY LIFE in the NYC skyline and now they were gone. The two tallest buildings in the city. They represented such a BIG part of NY and now they are GONE...I can't even begin to describe the emotions that went through my mind at that moment. :nooo:

We were all freaking out about how to get home, especially those of us who lived outside of the city. I was 8 months pregnant at the time and all I wanted was to go HOME!!! I had many people at work telling me to go home with them, but I wouldn't do it. I needed to be home with my husband!

I decided to walk home to Queens, like many New Yorkers were doing. I walked over the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge and my DH met me over there. It was SO HOT that day, and I was so uncomfortable, being 8 months pregnant and all. Thank God I had comfortable shoes on!!!

I will never, ever forget that day for as long as I live. I was closing on my house 3 days after and I was wondering if I would still close? I didn't go to work that entire week, like most of us who work in Manhattan. And when I DID close on my house, I was feeling guilty through the whole thing. I felt like I didn't deserve to be moving on with my life, I didn't deserve to be happy right now, when there was so much misery going on in our world. I was so out of it, but I snapped out of it.

Thankfully, I didn't lose anyone in the WTC that day. But I did know a lot of people who did. One of the people at my office lost her brother...he was 27 years old, the NICEST GUY you would ever meet! I hung out with him many times when we used to go out! He was so cool and ADORABLE! I still get upset thinking of all of the people who lost loved ones that day, and what they must be going through...still every day of their lives.

Funny thing...yesterday, my boss asked me to plan a salesmeeting for this Thursday at 8:30am. Corporate was coming in to talk with us. I didn't even realize the day, until everyone started emailing me back NICE DAY FOR A MEETING! WHY ARE WE HAVING A MEETING THAT DAY AND TIME? and things like that. Oh well, life for us goes on, right? It has to...

In Manhattan, many of us are hoping that nothing is planned for a repeat performance of 2 years ago. I think we will be worried about that on each and every anniversary of this terrible incident!!!!

God Bless America tomorrow and ALWAYS.....

[geeman]

As a New Yorker, it's hard to imagine what the outside world thought of the nightmare that was going in our city that day. For me, it was a day hard to forget.
I woke up feeling a little sick and almost called in that day, but decided against it. I caught my hour long express bus ride into the city-- but on that morning, the ride was taking longer than usual due to an insane amount of traffic that had suddenly sprung up. Frustrated, I regretted not staying home as I envisioned having to call in late. I even lent the phone to a lady on the bus, who was trying to get downtown by 9:00, and was not expecting this traffic to get us into the city so she could get there by that time. This must have been at around 8:30-ish.
As soon as we got to the city, I got off the bus and began my 10 block trek to work, whipping out my cellphone to let my boss know I might be a few minutes late. In the distance, I could hear sirens and saw smoke in the sky. My cellphone could not connect. "Great!", I thought - but then wondered if something had happened to my office, as a couple more fire engines blared by and headed in the direction I was walking. I used to have a daily view of the towers, since I work about a mile or 2 away from there.
When I got to my building, glad to see it was there, I got the news that a plane had struck the WTC. To be honest, in NY, that sounded like a joke. "OK. What a dumb pilot. Surely the plane was mangled, " I thought, never imagining the worst. The worst it would do is dent the building, right?
When I got to my office --relieved to be on time despite the traffic-- at about 8:50, I caught a glimpse of what had happened on the television we have set up. My coworkers were standing there watching in shock. I immediately called my dad - and couldn't get through. I called my DGf, and couldn't get through. I tried my dad again, got him, and in my calmest voice, asked him to turn on the TV. As he did, we watched the second plane attack. At that point, our office, and indeed the world, knew that this was no accident.
Members of my office were intermittently strong and panicking. Some had children who worked downtown. On man's wife worked in Tower 2 (She made it home alive). Our company president came and assured us to stay put for now - as it was probably the safest thing to just stay together. I eventually made contact with DGf, who, from the Jersey side, had witnessed the second plane hit the tower from where she stood across the river. It was heartbreaking for me not to be able to get to her (since all exits to NY were closed) and not to be able to get home. When an officemate came in crying, trying to fill up jugs of water, my own heart started to panic. What had been a beautiful looking morning had become a nightmare.
I eventually got in touch with my best friend, who had parked near a train station. He suggested we meet up when the trains started running again and that we'd ride back home together. At about 3or 4 that afternoon, we met up and did just that. He'd not seen any images of the day and was only relying on stories he heard on the radio and been told by customers to his store. At my office, we had watched the scenes continue to unfold.
I had to walk up 30 blocks to meet up with him (not all trains were running), and the streets were so odd that day. I could see a cloud of black smoke in the distance as I made my way up Park Avenue. Everyone walked solemnly up the desolated Manhattan streets. Some had walked the whole way from downtown, their suits full of soot. Their expressions blank. And for the first time, armed Infantrymen stood watch on certain blocks, guiding the people on.
It was a sad, strange day.
My heart goes out to those who lost someone. And I acknowledge the fearless ones who were brave enough to secure us after that.

[BDavis932]

I had just dropped my son off at school (3rd week of Kindergarden) and turned on the radio. My office is about 10 minutes away from his school. I was listening to music when they broke in with the news of the first plane hitting the tower. My first thought, too, was what a horrible "accident". I called my husband who was on duty at the Fire Department, and they had not heard the news yet. Then I called my parents, who hadn't heard yet, either. Then the 2nd plane hit the other tower.

I went to work and our TV wasn't hooked up to cable, and we couldn't get local channels. The internet was jam packed and wouldn't even load. Me and several other girls went to my van and watched my TV in there. Work was unthinkable for the day. My boss was traveling out of town, but his son was there (I work for a family owned business) and he sent everyone home for the day. He said "who knows what this could turn in to, everyone just get home with your families." I immediatly went to my son's school and picked him up. I remember walking up to the school that day and the sky was so quite....Nothing...like it was for several days.

For many months, I was stuck to CNN....I even put a TV in the kitchen so that I didn't miss anything. Everything just seemed so scary at the time.

Like all of us, I wish things could be the way they used to be. I hate my kids are growing up in a world that is full of anger and uncertainty. But every generation has done it (Cuban Missle Crisis, Cold War, etc) and we will all get through this, too.

At first, I never wanted to go to the mall, or a show, and at times I questioned even Disney World. But like they say, we all have to keep living or the terrorists win. So I am raising my kids not to be afraid or untrusting, but to be aware of their surroundings and enjoy the good things that life gives us!

[roncss]

I got to work at Denver International Airport a little before 7:00 A.M., Mountain time. The conference room in the Airport Office Building was on and one of the WTC towers was on the screen, smoking. The announcer said that apparently a twin engine private plane had hit the tower. As I was watching, the second aircraft hit the second tower.

In an instant, I realized that this was no accident, but a terrorist act, involving commercial aircraft. A short time later (though I can't remember how much time passed), the airport was put on alert and contractors at the airport were sent home. The word then came through that all U. S. airspace was being closed -- immediately; all aircraft to land at the closest field. We had to help the departing passengers exit the airport and, over the next several hours, escort the arriving passengers out of the airport. The Denver Police went through the airport to insure that everyone was out of the building.

After this was done, we were told that the airport was closed "until further notice", whatever that meant, and sent home. It wasn't until I got outside, walking toward my car that I saw the F-16's patrolling overhead and realized that at least someone thought DIA might be a target that morning as well.

Tomorrow, we will spend some time quietly remembering those people from around the world who lost their lives two years ago.

Ron

[rlander]

First let me thank Amy for starting this thread. Posting a "remember 9/11" thread was on the top of my list, but when I got here I saw it was already started. The stories I have read from everyone so far have sent chills up my spine and brought a tear to my eyes.

As many of you know, I am passionate about our country, our President, and our American strength in this world. On 9/11, I was going through so many emotions. Hate for the invaders, fear for our families, compassion for the victims. I couldn't work, I couldn't talk, I was frozen. I didn’t sleep for 6 days.

Unlike many who have posted, I didn't now anyone in the tragedy, but because of the scenes on tv, I felt like I somehow knew them. Like they were family.

In the days to follow 9/11, it was easy to be a freind. No one was a stranger. No one hated. We were all Americans. Race, creed, political affiliation. It didn't matter. We stood as one.

Of course this didn't last. As Americans, we have short term memories. On the most tragic day in American history, my prayer is that we all come to together as Americans, as children of God to rid this world of evil and to cherish the most important things in our lives.

God bless all my friends on DC, all Americans, and everyone around the world who loves freedom.

[preidel24]

Thank you Amy for starting this thread.

I was at home the morning (homeschooling my two DS's). A neighbor called and I turned on my TV to the devastation. My DH was at the shore house building a new garage and I repeatedly tried to reach him.

Our church started a phone chain and by 4pm we were at the flagpole of our town hall (I live in a small community of 3,000 about 1hour 10 mins from NYC). There was a small service and then one by one people got up and talked about the event many of them worked work in NYC and asked for prayers for those missing and those killed in the tradegy. I had never felt so close as a community before. Everyone just let their guard down and we all paryed, sobbed and remembered together.

We now have a 9-11 memorial in our town. It resemblies the flag that was flown at ground zero and there's a monumnet that pays tribute to all the fallen.

Last night we gathered again for a rememberance for this day that has forever changed our country.

The days and weeks after 9-11 happened I periodically cried for what seemed for nothing. One night my DH said Honey what's a matter. I was having trouble placing my finger one it but it soon became clear I was mourning for my children and other children who now were living in a world that seemed unsafe. My children were scared and unsure and I mourned for the innocence that was taken from them.

Today I will reflect and pray for all those who gave so much that day and all the families, and children who lost mothers and fathers, husbands and wives and for those who continue the fight to keep us safe. You are not forgotten. Peace be with you all on this day, 9-11, never forget.

Paula

[aurora'stwin]

9/11 was a very big awakening for me. I have always been the type who believed or saw the positive and goodness in people.

When I heard that the first tower hit, my initial instinct was that this was just a terrible accident.

I work in the Government Defense Industry in Huntsville, AL, so I know a lot of people in Washington, D.C. My mom works for a major defense contractor also. Once I heard about the plane that was headed torwards the Pentagon, I was in shock. I was scared that we could be next, seeing as how our house is literally 1/2 mile from the Redstone Arsenal.

I couldn't believe that there was so much hatred in the world that it would compel these monsters to try and take so many lives.
I fell into a term of depression. I felt horrible for the children who were at the daycare there in NYC, who were waiting for their parents to come and pick them up, but never showed.

I still try to see the good in people but I definitely lost my naive side.

I pray for the victims and for our soldiers. I wish that the people who are against what President Bush is doing would just remember 9/11.