I know we are all 9/11'd to death but I had to post something, so I thought I would post my own perspective of this day.
I remember when I was young asking my parents where they were when JFK was killed or when Elvis died. It is weird to think someday the boys will be asking me where I was when 9/11 happened. It is just too bad I don't have a more interesting story....
On September 10th, 2001 I had driven up to Sacramento to stay over night for an early morning class the next day. I was staying at a hotel across the street from the Capital building. I set my alarm for 6:15am. My alarm went off the next morning and I turned on the TV to keep my self awake. The first thing I saw was a huge skyscraper on fire. The news was saying that the "World Trade Center" was hit by an airplane. To be honest I didn't even know where the World Trade Center was. After watching for several minutes and hearing the news cast it was all explained to me.
I believe I actually witnessed the second plane run into the other tower. I was shocked and amazed. Until then I had NEVER witnessed any kind of tragedy.
I first called Jim and of course woke him up, then my sister and other members of my family. I was some what feaked out because I was near the Capital but I figured I would be ok since they had already grounded flights. While I got dressed for my class I watched , I remember seeing the buildings fall and not really comprehending how huge this was.
I left and went to the class and there were so many people that didn't show up. They thought it would have been cancelled.
During my lunch break Jim and I decided he would come and join me since neither of us wanted to be alone. He got there just as I was done for the day. Like everyone else in the world I think we were pretty much glued to the TV the whole night.
Looking back now five years later and with so much that has happened in my life, it seems like a long time, but when I think about it more it really is no time at all.
I would love to hear a short version of your 9/11/01 story.
5 comments:
I posted about this too
Here is the short version of my story: I don't remember.
You know there is no such thing as a 'short version' from me...but I was at home, still snoozing, on Howard Street, and heard Wendy over the message speaker telling me to "turn on the TV"!...in an excited tone. because there was a big fire or explosion at the World Trade Center.
As I watched the TV Screen...mezmorized...and learned that a "small plane" had crashed into the building (later it was confirmed that it was a Commercial Airline) I remember thinking that it was a 'big hole' for such a small plane.
When the second plane hit the other Tower, I knew it was a hijacking by Terrorists so by the time the third plane went into the Pentagon and the fourth plane crashed, I was happy that the planes were grounded as I knew you were in Sacramento that day and had no idea of how many more planes might be used as 'bombs' and our State Capitol seemed like it would be a good target to me.
In just days, your brother David made application and then became, a US AIR MARSHAL...and for the first time, in my own lifetime, I saw unbelievable 'unity' among our people.
I remember actually crying for most of the day for all those innocent people who were killed and their desperate 'searching' families.
Faye said that the mood of the Country was just the same as when we were attacked at Pearl Harbor.
It was a combination of terrible sadness for all of the victims, and also a deep anger at those who dared to attack America.
Of course, in one instance, it was a Military base that was attacked, and 9/11 was the mass murder of innocent civilians, which to me was more horrifying and unbelievable.
Most surprising to me is that so many American's quickly became apathetic to the enemy who still seeks our destruction as a Nation.
...and BTW, when JFK was killed, I was a Junior at El Camino High School...and there wasn't a 'dry eye' in the whole school when it was announced that he was dead.
Gosh I'm getting 'up there' in years...yikes! Good post and good topic!
Matthew and I were home doing schoolwork. I had kept the tv off that morning (Which was unusual but it was distracting to Matthew)It was the second week of his 3rd grade year. Shane was a baby, and we got a call to turn on the tv. We watched the second plane hit. I guess when it happened I didn't realize how it would change the world. Ted decided to come home from work that day, I thought that was weird at the time, but now I look back on that as he just wanted to be with his family. He had just flow home a few weeks earlier from a business trip. The one thing that struck me was that I just kept the tv on all night waiting for them to find survivors. Sept. 11 is my moms birthday, and a good friends birthday too. My mom and I talked on the phone that day for a long time.
Hope things aren't getting too crazy as you get ready to celebrate Ben's 1st Birthday!!!!
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