11 years ago today... where were you?

[Blondilu]

Now that I’ve had time to think about it I would like to say something further. I live in California and watched all the events that day and the weeks to come on TV. I’m not sure if it’s human nature or just me, but I tend to vividly remember only what touches me personally. The sights and sounds seen on the same medium that also brings me all my favorite night time shows have somewhat faded with time for me.

 

But, I will never forget the way it made me feel. Certainly deep sadness for those lost and their loved ones. Confusion, fear, uncertainty, horror. But, also incredible amazement at the people of that great city, their resilience, and courage. The big and small sacrifices, the people reaching out to help others in need. I am still awed at the stories, however terrifying, that are so human and so real. Each story brings to mind the countless others who haven’t (or can’t) yet share their own account.

 

Bless you all and may God grant you peace.

[Corby114]

I was a Police Lieutenant working the day shift in Ridgefield, New Jersey on that faithful day. We could see smoke from the towers coming across the Hudson River into New Jersey. When the George Washington Bridge was closed traffic built up on the highways in our area. We were ordered to close Route 46 eastbound that acessed the bridge and all traffic exited into our town. Days after the incident I along with other officers from the immediate area volunteered to go into the city and help with the recovery. I met officers from Miami, Florida and other areas of the United States who were sent to help. I only went down to Ground Zero one day to assist there. On other days we assembled at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Midtown where we were signed in and were given assignments all over the city. Usually we were assigned to precinents in Midtown. On September 12th a dispatcher advised me to help with a large convoy of construction vehicles from New Jersey and Upstate New York heading for Ground Zero. We escorted the convoy across the George Washington Bridge onto the West Side Highway. When I returned to New Jersey I was ordered by my supervisors to respond to headquarters immediately. They asked me who gave me the authority to escort the convoy. I told them to leave me alone and fight with the dispatcher who gave me the lawful order. A few days later New Jersey State senior law enforcement in New Jersey advised us that we weren't allowed to volunteer at Ground Zero or anywhere else in New York City.

[cincycruisincouple]

Its not bravery, trust me. I did it because writing it down somewhere is my way of taking, i guess the weight of that day off of me and locking it away somewhere else. You will reflect when your ready. Thank you for reading my story, since you were downtown that day I know it could not have been easy for you.

 

 

I think your story touches every person that reads it. Such a traumatic experience at such a young age. Thank you for sharing.

[cincycruisincouple]

A few days later New Jersey State senior law enforcement in New Jersey advised us that we weren't allowed to volunteer at Ground Zero or anywhere else in New York City.

 

 

I was just curious what reason they gave that you couldn't volunteer anymore. Was it a state jurisdiction thing or something else?

[theavonb]

I was in Europe on a train going to Amsterdam for a few days before my flight to Ireland. My friend and I had just walked into our hotel and people were crying and staring at the t.v. That is when we saw the 2nd plane go into the tower. So horrible to watch. My hubby back home knew our flight was cancelled before me. On our flight to Dublin we were given magazines that showed pictures of the horror that had unfolded in NYC. It truly looked like something out of a movie. We felt such sadness, anger, and so much emotion went through us for all those people that lost their lives. Hard to really fathom and understand at the time. There were so many people camped out in the airports as all the flights were cancelled and it was amazing how everyone was so calm and offering their condolences to strangers. On the bright side to that day, my grandson was born and I brought those magazines home with me to show him when he was old enough to understand the devastation that took place on September 11, 2001.

[kelikea]

I was a sophomore in high school. I went to a boarding academy called Shenandoah Valley Academy in New Market, VA and I was walking into the school building from my dorm room. As I walked in the door, I looked to a classroom on the right and there were a bunch of students gathered around a TV on a roller cart. I saw that they were watching something about the news but I didn't pay too much mind to it, so I kept going. A few minutes later, I heard over the PA system, "All students need to report to the auditorium immediately." So as we all walked into the auditorium doors, the big projection screen was down with NBC live news on. I saw that a plane was in the first tower, and a few minutes after walking in, the second tower was hit. The entire student body watched in horror as the towers fell and I started hearing screams across the auditorium as students realized they had family or family friends in the twin towers or the Pentagon. Being decently close to DC, and many students from the DC area, lots of students were crying, trying to call their parents and see if they were okay. It was complete chaos and we were all in utter disbelief. I was so angry and sad and didn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't believe that this kind of thing could happen on American soil. I especially felt horrible for a few students who actually had family that died. It was a very difficult time at our school as we tried to rally around our friends who lost someone. The only good thing that came out of it, is that we were a more unified school. Never forget 9/11!

[wrigley80]

I was in the computer lab at Northern Illinois University and I remember just sitting there staring at the computer screen. Tears were running down my face. :( I was thinking of all the men and women who wouldn't be returning home that evening to their families.

I will never forget this day :(

[klfhngr]

..on the way to work, in Socalif., listening to Howard Stern. I know most people don't like him, but what he did that day, his broadcast and sticking around, was sensational. He does have a heart....

[ccladdict]

I was driving to work after dropping my 13 year old disabled daughter off at at the airport to take a one day trip to Disney World with about 100 other kids with serious health issues and disabilities, along with volunteers and a Dr. and nurse. Their flight left at 8am. I normally didnt turn the radio on on my way to work but since I was travelling a different route wanted to keep on top of the traffic situation, upon hearing that a plane hit the towers I thought maybe just a bad accident, upon my arrival at work everyone was coming up to me and asking about my daughter I do not remember a lot of the first couple of hours after I heard the news as I was in such a panic state, the organization that arranged the trip had called and said the kids arrived in Orlando at the scheduled time and received a police escort to a local hotel where they stayed for two nights. When I arrived home after work I turned on CNN and seeing the images I was in shock that something like this could have happened, it still brings tears to my eyes when I think about all the people affected.

[JoeMissile]

I was on a cruise out of NOLA (Triumph?, Legend?, Inspiration? not sure which). Didn't find out till 2 in the afternoon. (No TV's on the Sky deck).

[happyshelly]

I went to work early that day. I worked in a local drug store chain and had to get payroll done before the store opened at 9. While in my office the pharmacist came in and asked if i heard. I dont have a radio in the office just muzak. We opened the store and i took a 5inch black and white tv of the sales floor and my staff and i just watched and prayed. When we heard a plane hit the pentagon it got personal. I have a cousin who works there(dont know in what capacity since she is not allowed to tell) we eventually found out she was out of the country otherwise she would have been in that wing that was hit.

Our company owner closed all 76 stores so we could all be home with our families since the schools were letting out.

 

Michele

[SCFCRUISER]

Its not bravery, trust me. I did it because writing it down somewhere is my way of taking, i guess the weight of that day off of me and locking it away somewhere else. You will reflect when your ready. Thank you for reading my story, since you were downtown that day I know it could not have been easy for you.

 

WOW!!!

 

After watching all of the 911 shows last night on tv, THAT...was the most inspirational piece of writing that I have ever read!!! It put everything I saw on the tv last night come to life!!

 

God bless you!!

 

Steve

[acruisingpeach23]

Thank you all so so so much for the kind words! I really appreciate it :)