As we approach 9/11....I remember:

[tinatark]

I got a call from my sister, who had been on the phone with an editor at the Florida Times Union (Jacksonville, Florida newspaper) - he had abruptly ended the call with the phrase " I gotta go, a plane just flew into the WTC"... it wasn't even on the radio yet. I spent the rest of that morning in a daze. It was so surreal.

We were in NYC last September. Got there on the 12th. We visited the new WTC site (NY'ers we encountered there were promoting that name, not "Ground Zero") - even though one new building is there, and it is a bustling construction zone, it still felt like hallowed ground to me.

 

[WDWBarb]

I, too, remember the sky that day. It was a sparkling blue that I believe I had never seen before. Several of us from my office stood outside early that morning and just ... stood there, looking at the sky.

I do remember in great detail all of the events that happened later that day, almost as if they were in slow motion.

And then, at some point, I decided to pick up DD (I called her school and they said they were considering releasing the kids and I should come get her - she was in second grade).

And on the drive there I was, at first, still numb. Then I noticed the crystal-blue sky again and wondered about the serenity of it all. I was the only car on a road that was typically packed any time of the day. And then I realized there were no planes in the sky. And I cried. I suddenly became terrified and felt so guilty. I went to work that day and would be coming home. Many wouldn't. I thought of how I brought a beautiful, innocent child into the world and in the matter of a few moments, the world changed. The rules changed. The stakes changed. I wasn't ready for this. It was all so ... unfair.

I didn't sleep for days. I sat in front of the TV, waiting for the next piece of information, the next "big event," an explanation, a reason, a connection - anything.

I take that back. I don't think I slept for months. Not without getting up to check the TV to see if evil had stuck again while I was sleeping.

And as the 11th approaches for the 7th time, I will keep remembering the people who lost their lives and loved ones on that day. And I'm still trying to find some sense in all of it.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I lived no where near NY.

It was the day of my daughter's 18 mo. Well Check. I went to breakfast with a friend at Perkins. We went there all the time and were friends with everyong that worked there. As we were paying our favorite waitress walked out looking shocked and said "A plane just hit the WTC" Friend and I looked at each other and I said, "Let's go to my house, it is closer." On the way I turned on the radio and called DH at work to see if he know what was going on. He said that it may have been an accident, but they weren't sure yet. The first tower fell as we got to my street. I heard it announced on the radio as it happened.

We raced into my house and turned on the news and were glued to it. But I had to get to my Dr. appt. I was getting ready to go when the 2nd tower fell before our eyes. I fell to the floor on my knees. It was just unbelievable. We cried and cried. My phone started ringing with friends that were at the same school with my daughter. We discussed whether we should pick our kids up. A few did. The school said anyone could pick up that wanted to with no absense penalty. I left mine there--she was safe there and it was better that she not see the fear and anguish in my eyes just yet.

In the blur we heard about a plane going into the Pentagon. My father in law sometimes has to go there for work. I called DH again to see if he had heard from him. His parents live in the DC area and we hadn't heard from them. And we heard about the plane that went down in Pennsylvania. So much was unknown and unreal and it was just too much to process.

I went to the Dr's office in shock. Most of them there really knew nothing about it and I filled them in on what I had seen and heard. And raced home to turn on the TV. It truly was like a train wreck--you don't want to watch, you don't want to believe, but you can't turn it off. I cried and cried that day.

And I remembered how I cried the day of the Oklahoma City bombings. That same sort of fear and disbelief.

We heard from the inlaws late that night. It had been difficult to get home and phone service wasn't working right, but they were safe.

 

[sandy6879]

I was in college in my senior year, DD had just started kindergarten. I had come home after dropping her off to jump in the shower and get ready to go to class. I came out, like I always did, to watch Regis and Kelly while I finished getting ready. I remember looking at the news finishing up and wondering what pilot in their right mind didn't see the tower before they hit it. They were reporting at the time that it was a small plane, so I just assumed it was an inexperienced pilot.

I watched the 2nd plane hit as they were reporting on the first plane. It was completely surreal, I remember crying and shaking. I went to class, watching the sky the whole time. The highways were empty on the way in. I sat in the car in the parking lot, listening to the radio, and heard that the buildings came down and that the Pentagon was hit.

I went through my classes in a blur and decided to pick DD up from daycare as soon as she got there. I was glued to the television the rest of the day. I was working for a bank at the time that was headquartered in Bridgeport CT and they were releasing people early since it's the highest building in that area and they just didn't know if anything else was going to happen.

We sat and watched the news nonstop for weeks, months afterward. I had nightmares of planes crashing into my apartment building. It's all very vivid to me still.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I went to bed on 9/10/01 with a smile on my face and the flush of new love. I woke up by the 9/11/01 telling me I was being alerted by the red cross. I had no idea what was going on when my mom called and asked me to come over as she and my dad wanted the family together. I didn't quite understand but drove over. I sat there in stunned silence. This can't be happening.

I remember that evening driving around and people in lines everywhere for gas and running into the stores. All I could think was that OMG I'm in love the big L love with an army man. WTH am I supposed to do now?

Matt had been put on lockdown alert defcon whatever. He called and told me for the first time that night he loved me and if I wanted out of this new relationship now is the time because it was about to get really scary.

I woke up on 9/12/01 knowing I was completely changed. I had seen hatred at it's worst and heroism at its best. I had to decide at some point if I had what it took to be with an army man.

I remember the first weekend in Oct the bombs started dropping in Afghanastain as I was freaked out thinking about what could happen possible world war and it was my birthday and I was so stinking in Love with an army man, I wanted to scream.

I may have not been anywhere near the tragic scenes but it certainly changed and made an impact on my life.

 

[JimFitz]

Edited......no need to relive that day.

 

[mrsstats]

We live on Long Island, which is outside NYC. However, we were on vacation in California, staying in Angels Camp. At the time there were wild fires all around in Ca. My cell phone rings, its early morning in Ca. My MIL is yelling do you see what is happening. Turn on the TV I am thinking the fires are raging around us but as I come to life & turn on the TV we see the horror. It was so hard to be away from my home. We felt safe but I wanted to be back home with the rest of my family. I was in Ca with my DH, Brother & SIL. I cried and wanted to drive home but it wasn't to be.

I will never forget 9/11. I personally did not lose anyone but it was my home that was attacked. I have a connection with many city fireman and I may not have know any who died, my friends did.

I will say that the people in Ca where so kind once they knew where we were from. They offered us free lodging if we were not able to get home but we were able to fly home that Sat.

Never Forget ....................9/11

 

[SunKat]

I also remember the amazing, perfect, blue sky that day. It was my daughter's third day of kindergarten and I had just put her on the bus at about the time the first plane hit.

I didn't know anything until my mom called me after the second plane hit. After that I was glued to the tv for hours. I debated whether or not to pick up my daughter from school, but decided she was safe there and let her stay.

As I saw the towers crumble, I was in shock. My daughter had classmates who lost parents that day. Some of our local volunteer firemen who also worked for the NYPD or NYFD died that day. Just about everyone in my town knew someone who was lost that day.

I remember the absolute silence at night with no commercial air traffic. The only jets we heard were military. And even though I live 50 miles from NYC, out on our beautiful bay, we could see the smoke from the towers.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I live far from NYC (Indiana) and I remember that day and I remember that blue sky - - it was a beautiful September day.

It's scay how life can change in the blink of an eye ..... and also how fast time goes by! Where have the last 7 years gone???

 

[JimFitz]

Edited......no need to relive that day.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I was in my senior year of high school--3rd period--english class.. The principal made an announcement and our teacher went right back to teaching. I asked for a pass to the nurse and there were kids crying everywhere--alot of parents worked in NYC and they couldnt get in touch with them. Next thing I knew, my dad was at the school to see my brother and I--hes a firefighter and was waiting to find out if he was going to the city and wanted to see us before he left.
I remember them letting some students out early (we live near a military base and it was locked down so they had to go on the buses) and then we were allowed to leave.
I remember the relief when my dad did not have to go, but some of my firemen family did-it was so scary
I cannot believe its been so long since that day ,it seems like the past years have just flown by

 

[ead79]

I was in my junior year of college, and I was in my first class of the day when the terrorists attacked. A guy next to me had a pager that received news updates, and he told the class that the news was reporting that a Cessna had hit the WTC. At the time it seemed sad for the pilot and the offices he might've hit, but we didn't come anywhere close to understanding what was really going on. After class I went back to my apartment and turned on the TV while calling my mom who was at work. She was crying, and asked me if I had seen the footage. I asked her why she was so upset, then turned to face the TV. That's when they showed the footage of the tower collapsing and I realized that it was not a Cessna by any means.

My boyfriend (now DH) was still sleeping, so I called and woke him up. I went over to his apartment where we watched the news footage in utter shock. I also logged on to the DIS which had updates much faster than the news websites. I remember the threads asking NYC DISers to check in and praying that they were OK. I called my parents and begged them to come to my college since I figured I was safer than they were (my college was in Athens, GA, but they were in Atlanta, and I was afraid they were in danger). They decided to stay put, but we kept in touch all day.

I remember the outpouring of prayers and patriotism. I remember that what the terrorists intended to end us brought about some of our finest hours. I remember the ordinary men and women who became heroes that day. My prayers remain with those who lost loved ones on that awful day. May we never forget.

 

[N&B'smom]

We're in southern NJ, but it hit very close to home. I was at work, the family business. I was with my dad, my brother and even my hubby. My son was just 2 years old and at my mom's. She watched him while I worked 3 days a week.

Someone came into our office and told us about the first plane. We had a TV in our office so we put it on. That's when we saw the second plane. I felt sick. I just remember feeling so distraught.

We called a friend that works in Manhattan. His building wasn't that far away. He's the one that told us about people jumping from the buildings. I just remember sobbing like I'd never cried before. My dad came over to try to calm me down but nothing worked. I just kept thinking of the people jumping, the feeling of hopelessness they must have felt. It just broke my heart and it's never been the same.

I remember calling my mom and having her bring my son to my work so I could see him. I NEEDED to see him. I just remember holding him and wondering what sort of world I brought him into, what did his future hold?

For the longest time after I remember feeling like I had no attention span. I just couldn't concentrate on anything, I kept thinking about what had happened. The sadness was so overwhelming.

I remember feeling like the world as I had known it would NEVER be the same, and I was right. It will never be the way it was PRIOR to 9/11.

I will never forget the many people that went over and above the call of duty and risked their own lives to save others that horrible day.

I remember so much of that day.

Shelby

 

[SplshMtn99]

We were at WDW in MGM where it was being kept a secret. We heard bits of a plane hitting WTC, but thought it was a small 2 seater or something. Looking back, it just seems weird to be going about our day, videotaping our ride on Rock'N'Roller coaster when looking at the date & time of the video. We didn't find out the truth until noon when they closed the park. We didn't find out the full truth & understand impact until we made it back to our hotel room & turned on the TV around 1pm.

The remainder of that trip was dealing with park closures due to 9/11 & Tropical Storm / Hurricane Gabrielle & flooding. Ended up driving home end of week since flights were still cancelled. Had to go thru DC & NYC. There was still smoke.

 

[hpygrll]

I was pregnant with our first son.

I worked retail, so I was scheduled to close that day.

It was a beautiful morning...so I took our dog for a walk and came home to eat breakfast. No tv on at all.

DH called me to tell me a plane had hit the WTC - I was thinking a small plane and kind of wondering why he was calling me about that.

So I turned on the tv, saw the second plane hit and the towers fall.

As the towers fell, my doorbell rang and it was the UPS man with a package.

I answered the door and told him what just happened..

They ended up closing the mall that day so I didn't go in.

I had another girl from work who doesn't have any family around here come over to our house...

We watched tv all day - and I felt our baby move for the first time.

It was a scary, scary day - never been so shaken or shocked.

Jenny

 

[Kimickey]

I remember the unusal crystal blue sky that morning here in DC (havent seen a morning that clear since).

I remember standing in the window of one of our Pentagon annex buildings as an US Airways aircraft took off from Ronald Regan National Airport and saying a simple prayer ("God please let that plane wherever it is going today make it to it's destination safely'). 20 minutes later the first plane hit WTC2

I remember feeling so freaking vulnerable...
I will never forget the smell or the sight of the Pentagon burning
I will never forget the fact that if my office were in Pentagon that day (we moved out 2years prior due to renovations)... I wouldnt be here to type this today...
I will never forget the traffic here in DC the city was locked down
I will never forget laying in bed for nights on end hearing F-16's patrol the skys (still an erie feeling)
I remember the voice of Peter Jennings coming thru our television for weeks to come because our TV stayed on constantly
I remember feeling ever so proud to serve my country in the United States Air Force...as I still do!!!!!

 

[What the Heck]

I worked at a bank in Downtown Chicago. We had a Vice President coming in that morning to do a presentation. There wasn't a cloud in the sky.

I remember seeing this huge group of people watching tv at the Citibank area where they had TV's. I was in too much of a hurry to get to the meeting to see what they were watching. I was annoyed that the group was almost completely blocking the hallway.

I remember someone making a comment about 2 planes hitting the World Trade Center. However, we thought it was small planes. Our meeting continued.

Our meeting got over between 10 or 11. We were back in our offices when we heard the news. We were 2 blocks north of the federal building, 2 blocks south of the state building (and city hall) and about 6 blocks east of the Sears Tower. Some were wondering if they should go home. I had no doubts. Even though I was one of the more junior people, I kept telling people who were VP's and assistant VP's "you have children at home, we need to leave now". I was on the 11:20 train home.

I remember that was the first day of anytime my children and I were seperating that I told them I love them - each and every time. On the phone, in person, doesn't matter.

I remember going to work the next day and wondering at the silence of a huge city. I have never heard Chicago so quiet.

And then I don't remember much for the next couple of months. I was awake, I was fine - but I don't remember.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I had turned the tv on while I was getting breakfast for 9-month old DS when I first saw it. It was probably around 8:00, maybe a little after. I know we sat on the couch for a long time that day while I watched it. He was surprisingly content to sit with me for the most part. I cried and cried, and held on to him and wondered what kind of world I had brought him in to. I called in to work and told them I wasn't coming in that evening if it was ok. DH was sent home form work around noon or so, even though we were nowhere close to any of the areas that had been attacked, because they just didn't know what was going on.

That afternoon, I got a call from my aunt. She said that her ex-husband, her 2 dd's father, was working on the construction at the Pentagon and she couldn't get in touch with him. She couldn't get in touch with his mother either. It was 4 days before she heard from him. He had overslept and missed work that day.

Like many others, I can't believe it's been seven years.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

My DH and I went to Atlantic City on Monday and stayed over til Tuesday 9/11. I remember his cell phone going off in the morning and it was his brother looking for him franticly (DH worked in NYC). He told us to turn on the TV.

It was so horrific. I remember turning on Howard Stern to see what he was saying on the clock radio. After the second tower fell we ran out of there. I can still remember people friggin gambling at the slots, what was wrong with them? We did about 90 on the GSP back home and National Guard trucks where passing us.

When we got home we both got on DH's quad and went to the top of our mountain and we could see everything. A lot of people where there taking pictures. I remember them making Giant's Stadium an extra "hospital".

That day DH got a phone call that all unions where going on bucket brigade, so he said he had to do it. I was not happy. I was so scared for him but I am very proud he did it. He got a hard hat and took a small American Flag I had and put it on there with glue.

My DMIL had jury duty and she said they let everyone go home. I went down to her house to watch TV with her, and she was beside herself when I told her where DH was. I was, too.

DH came home that night and he said that you could not believe how bad it was. He said TV did it no justice. His clothes where so full of dust and debris. I was a mess for him. The next day I bought a ton of food for the dogs there and also food for the workers and sent it down to the local church collecting.

He did this for three days. He saw Pres. Bush. He said everytime they thought a building would fall they would sound a horn and everyone would run. I was sick to my stomach for a long time. Then I found out about those that where missing. I just can't go there. It's so sad.

This country really did pull together though. I remember feeling like Guiliani was my Dad. I remember our friend who owned a gun store, who told us that everyone was calling him looking to buy a gun.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I'm far far far from NY, I'm in California and I remember that day was so bright and blue too. We usually are overcast right by the beach in the fall, and it was so clear outside... When it happened I was just beginning my freshman year in high school...

Since the first plane hit around 8:45 EST, it was 5:45 here and I was still asleep, but my Mom was awake and I actually woke up because she was yelling 'oh my gosh!!' at the TV. I got scared because I was thinking something was wrong with her or my Dad and I jumped out of bed. I ran to her room asking her what was wrong and she was about a half a foot away from the tv with a look of terror on her face. She kept saying 'no way, no way'. I was still asleep and I didn't really get it. I just thought the pilot misjudged a landing or it was an accident...

I got in the shower and when I got out my Mom was still in her same spot and in tears when she told me another plan hit the other tower.

It took me so long to get ready that morning because I was just glued to the TV. I didn't want to look away, but then I did because it scared me thinking about all those people who were in those building and in the planes...

At school we didn't do anything all day. Each teacher had the radio on. I went to a Catholic high school and we had a prayer service that afternoon for everyone who was already dead or missing...

I remember coming home and sitting on my floor watching the tv and I was just sick to my stomach, I didn't understand why anyone would do this to us...

In 2003, my family and I went to NYC for Christmas and we went to Ground Zero. It had such a silent, eerie feeling. Just of complete sadness. I cried being there. It broke my heart. The cards and papers everyone made were still on the fence down the street from WTC next to that church..

I can't believe it's already been 7 years..