So, where were you...

[Kitte]

One year ago today...
It is sort of a fascination of mine, where people were during famous and infamous moments in history.
So where were you, when you saw, when you heard?
tell me about your day September 11, 2001

 

[StrawberryPez]

I was in Texas last year at this time. My (ex)husband came home from work just to tell me about it. I got up and turned on the tv and watched in horror. Later that day I had to travel out of town, it was so surreal. The way everyone was reacting, the gas scare, the stores were empty, everyone was embracing thier loved ones. I was thousands of miles away from my family. After I got home and had no one to hold, no one to cry to, it was the day I realized my marriage was horrible. Though it took me 7 months to actually leave my husband, I knew from that day on that it wasn't meant to be. His total lack of emotion towards me on that day showed me something. Seeing everyone supportive of one another, hugging that neighbor they thought they hated, befriending the "wierd guy" in town, and just plain accepting one another made me stop and analize my life. I wasn't happy. That day will always live in infamy with me. It definately marked a day in history for me..personally.

 

[carrie-on]

Hi Kitte, I take care of an elderly lady in her home. I was setting her hair on rollers and we were watching the Today Show when all this happened. They cut to the WTC because of the 1st plane and while we were watching,the 2nd plane came in.

 

[Liontamr]

I posted this on my website - a website that is more than welcome to visitors btw

A year ago I had the day off from work. I remember the first few moments of my waking up very vividly. The alarm clock went off at 7:30 (9:30 EST) and I cursed to myself half asleep on how I forgot to turn it off so I could sleep in. Just before I turned it off though, I heard the phrase "Two planes have crashed into the World Trade Towers in New York." Just as I hit the off button I'm sure the last words I heard were "One of the towers has collapsed"

After hitting that off button it took me a minute for my sleeping brain to comprehend what it had just heard.

I jumped out of bed instantly, turned on the TV and stayed home all day in front of that TV knowing what I was seeing was real, but expecting to wake up in bed and face what I was sure was going to be a regular, boring September 11th. As the day passed, as repeated calls were made and taken - all from friends and family who didn't have the day off like I did and couldn't see the TV images I was seeing first hand - it became very clear that the nightmare was all too real.

I didn't sleep that night as I'm sure many others around the world didn't either. From 7:30 AM until about 3:30 that night - 20 straight hours - my TV was on and tuned in. I wasn't very far from the TV coverage if I was away from it at all. Even in the shower I had it loud enough so I could still listen.

I am convinced I watched that much coverage because I needed to keep reminding myself that it was really happening. I wanted to take in as much info and see as much as I could so that when I did turn off the TV I could still realize that America and it's people we're attacked in a savage and brutal manner and that the destruction was as real as it could get.

To this day, it still doesn't seem real.. I still want to wake up and go on with my boring, regular September 11th, 2001 day. I am sure the rest of the world wishes that as well. Instead, I'll wake up in about 6 hours from now, face the reality it did happen, take a moment to reflect and remember.. then go to work for the day.

Somedays, I'm glad I had that day off to witness because I'll never forget that day and where I was on 9/11.

Somedays, I wish I had gone to work.

 

[chromefreak]

London.

The girl I was with at the time moved there for school. I took a month personal leave off work to go with her. I didn't want America to be a different place when I returned than it was when I left, but it was.

It was about three in the afternoon when someone approaced me after hearing my Yank accent and asked me what I thought of what happened to the world trade center. I assumed they meant the 1993 bombing attempt. He explained the events that were unfolding, so I got myself to a pub with a TV on and watched in Horror. Brits were wonderful, comforting and respectful, I even got hugs from a couple of random strangers, "old lady" types. A few of the college kids didn't realize that they'd picked the WRONG time to enter into a political debate over US foreign policy.

My job at the time was with a company who had a client company in the WTC. My friends at this company I worked with over the phone and computer for a few years all perished. I had unanswered emails from them in my inbox still, when I returned to work. My heart sank.

 

[Kitte]

Thanks for your responses...

I was in bed, I woke up and the TV was showing the first crash, I was semi out of it so I just changed the channel to PBS so I could go back to sleep. I was watching Clifford the Big Red Dog. My (ex)Husband called and asked if I was watching the news and I told him no...and he kept telling me to put it on. I heard something in his voice, I had never heard before. So I finally propped myself up in bed and changed to the news...I think my heart stopped I just began to cry.

 

[chromefreak]

Something that bothered me...

Last Saturday I went to Karaeoke (sp?) with a friend. SHe picked the Star Spangled Banner. When she started singing, I stood up and put my hand over my heart, Looking at the flag on the monitor. When I glanced around the room, I noticed that there were only 3 or 4 others doing the same.

Seems the immediate wave of post 9/11 patriotism that I returned to was lost on some people.

Oh well.

 

[DevilBoy79]

at school, in one of the computer labs

 

[calypso_21]

I remember exactly where I was when it happened. I used to always hear that phrase from my parents.

I relaxed on the couch in the living room watching the Today show with my daughter cuddling with me. It was our typical morning routine. This morning my son was sleeping very late. She sat watching the TV with me as I looked on in confusion and horror.

I don't know why but I couldn't change the channel. She asked me all kinds of questions and all I could say was "I don't know". Seeing the second plane fly into the tower as the reporters were talking about the first one still sends shivers up my spine. It is not a moment I care to keep in my memory bank.

My daughter said to me yesterday. Why is everyone wearing red, white and blue on Wed. I reminded her about that day. So my five year old says..."Oh, so we look like a flag to honor the people who didn't come out? Can I wear my pin too?" This was said with a very light heart. She has a memory of what happened but not the full sadness of the moment. I want her to honor the memory of those who died, I do not want her to feel heavy hearted.

I am proud of the way people have rallied together. This is the part I remember most. The outpouring of help, compassion, and hope. Amazing.

 

[Boinky_Oinky]

I was at the computer, as usual, when Kitte told me to turn on the TV. It was right after the first plane hit... in a few minutes we watched the second plane hit. It took a few minutes for me to figure out what the image on TV was, and then once I realized what was really happening my heart sank, I was nauseated, and very scared. I called my husband to come home from work, because I was terrified, but he wouldn't do it. I was scared that we were gonna get attacked in my town, because I live right next to a major air force base.

At first, I thought it was an accident, as we all did... but when the second plane hit and then the others went down, and talk of terrorism, I realized, this was no accident. I don't think I have ever been so scared in my life.

Images flashed in my head, all I could think about was a war, how things might get worse, how we were gonna enter into war, how was this going to affect me, my life, my friends? Were people going to go nuts and panic like they did for Y2K? Would things ever be the same again? Things were so bleak.. the images on TV, the reactions of people, normal activities put on hold to watch the news, classes stopped, crowds gathered around tvs everywhere. And worst of all, the panic-stricken faces and tears of sorrow, the horror of watching people jumping out the windows, thinking of the fear those in the buildings must have felt, and the heartbreak of their families. I knew this was big...

I re-evaluated a lot of things that day, especially my priorities. A year later, some go forgotten, but now I have been reminded of them again, thankfully.

-Oinky

 

[oceanbaby28]

One year ago today...
It is sort of a fascination of mine, where people were during famous and infamous moments in history.
So where were you, when you saw, when you heard?
tell me about your day September 11, 2001

I was working at the conference office. Had only just opened up the building, was opening up the doors and lights as I went along. People/staff were beginning to come in and begin their day. Was going to be a big day... we were going to finish up the rest of yesterdays moves.

Gordon walks in from his car, sort of just blurts out, "The World Trade Center was just hit by a plane". Ah, knowing Gordon, he's such a prancster I thought he was just trying to find something silly to say to make us dread the move a bit less. Only the look on his face wasn't of silliness. Not being the one to believe so easily I walked into the Library of the Conference Office and turned the tv to channel 3. They were just showing the 1st plane hitting the building. It was on replay, and I thought... It's got to be an accident.

Other people still entering the building. The movers were arriving, Davida had arrived as well. I wondered what she'd think of us all kind of lingering around the tv. She couldn't possibly be upset over this.

Still watching the tv intently, listening to the comments of passers by and reports from the scene, on a live shot you see another plane hit the other tower! It's not an accident anymore. It can't be goes through my mind. I think as I look around to the other faces... they're thinking the same thing I am.

That day Davida gathered us all into the English Meeting room and had a quick word of prayer. I think we all really really needed it.

Throughout the day I had to stop every so often to just let the tears flow, images of people starting their day at work, suddenly all lives being changed forever. Soooo many people. It was too much for me.

 

[shyybabe]

In a small town, a quiet hospital room where we had spent the last two months saying good-bye to my mom.

I took my son in at 6:30 am that day because we knew she didn't have much time left. She had slipped into a coma that night but he got to hold her hand and say good-bye. Even though he thought she would get better.

I took him to a grief counsellor to talk about the funeral because he wouldn't admit that was going to happen. The attacks happened while we were in there but no one told us.

Then I took him back to school and sat with my mom. Quietly telling her she had fought a long and brave battle but now it was time to let go and rest.

The nurses didn't tell us what had happened. I lost my mom around 5 o'clock that night. I couldn't leave here there alone so I stayed until they came for her. She hated to be alone.

I went to the funeral home with her to make the arrangements and then to my dad's house to make the phone calls.

It was after midnight before I got home and found out what had happened.

September 11th will never be forgotten in our house.

 

[Tantanah]

I was at the DMV getting my drivers licence.

THey had one of those small TV's going and showed the first plane. I didn't believe it at first until I got home and the phone was ringing and I really stopped and watched the news.

 

[Coolville]

I was in my office at home here in Copenhagen. Went online, checked my mails and then went onto the Guardian's website to read the papers.

There was a small headline. "Plane crashes into World Trade Center - more soon".

Didn't think much of it but then thought that maybe BBC World would have some coverage. Rolled the TV over, turned it on, and saw the burning tower.

Still, didn't think much of it. A bit dramatic. Saw the reporter speaking, with the burning tower in the background when another plane flew into sight and hit the other tower.

The reporter was looking at a TV screen of himself, off camera, and was just as confused as I was. "Here we have a replay..." he said, and then stopped. I thought the same. But then it hit me.

Live, on screen, plane 2 hit tower 2 and I knew it was heavy shit.

I remained glued to BBC World for the next 9 hours. I had a group of friends in Sweden, shooting a film, with no access to tv or radio, so I sms'ed them constantly with updates.

Crazy shit. Had several Danish friends in NYC at that moment and tried to get in touch with them for several hours.

 

[wkdclwn]

So many memories from that day. Mine are as follows.

I was driving to work and was on the highway when they broke in with news of the first plane hitting the WTC. Then about 2 or 3 minutes before I arrived at work as they were covering the first one the second one hit. Just hearing the reactions from the reporters live as it happened was enough to send chills everywhere. I am a driver so I had only the radio to keep track of it. Later that day when I finally had a chance to see it and witness the planes hitting the WTC is when it finally sank in. One day when I can honestly say I will always remember the spot I was when it happened. God bless. Take care. Later.

 

[sarahuk4]

I had just got home from coffee with a female friend, was just switching on pc and next thing she phoned me , said put on tv now ...I did , I saw it , I thought it was a film replay ...never realised it was for "Real" ..

Well when it sunk in I thought i must see if my friends would come online to play scrabble with me ..

But of course they never did , I waited every day for them , like you do , but with no avail ...

I emailed Cantor Fitzgerald and they confirmed they were dead to me , and worse still the finality for my other friend who was having a real life affair with one of the guys ....

I phoned up my friend in New York as soon as I realised what was happening , so I think by about 1.00pm my side , I think , i cant really rememeber the time actually ...

 

[bknight2602]

I was at work, and a work friend at home e mailed all of us and told about the first plane. I was viewing the news and saw the second plane live so to speak.
We all watched in stuuned silence until both had collapsed. The president suggested we all go home and contemplate the events of the day.
It was a depressing day, filled with many what-ifs, followed by anger. The anger has subsided, I hope that the terrorist movement has consequences. I don't think that will ultimeatly get done. The Russians were in there for about 7 years and did not come away with any kind of finish, we won't either, I suspect.
*bowing my head for a minute of thought about last year*

 

[Route66Girl]

For your collection of memories

Like many, I was at work. Unlike them, however, I was getting ready to finish my shift as opposed to starting it.

I live in Alaska, so I'm four hours behind the east coast.

I was working (at the time) behind the front desk of a mountain lodge. I spent my nights in that job wrestling with paperwork for the first four hours of my shift and twiddling my thumbs for the rest of it.

That morning, I'd gotten some lunches and things together for a handful of guests that were going to be off on an early fishing expedition.

The first guy in came up to the desk with a grim face as I wished him good morning. He said simply, "Have you watched TV yet today?"

I shook my head.

"You ought to."

Puzzled, I asked him what happened. He said a plane crashed into the World Trade Center.

I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, God. Not another one!"

I was thinking that another airline disaster had happened, and that now they had really done it. They'd managed to crash into a building. The shi* was really going to hit the fan.

I strolled into the hotel bar, which had the only TV in the main lodge, the guest close on my heels. I turned it on right as the second plane hit the tower. Five minutes later reports were wild with additional planes, terrorists, etc.

It didn't sink in at first. I was horrified, but still thinking more than feeling. I was thinking too much. As soon as I heard the word "terrorist" I thought "Osama Bin Laden. He's gotta be behind this. He's the only one with enough financing to coordinate something like this."

I spoke the words aloud. The guest beside me didn't say anything.

Then the Pentagon. That's when my jaw really hit the floor. That's when thought went out the window and pure emotion took its place. Then the collapses of the WTC... I can't sum up what I felt then anymore than I can resurrect those buildings and bring back the many who died. It's impossible to describe without sounding trite.

But somewhere out there, there's a photo of me in that moment. Other guests trickled in as it unfolded, employees, etc. They all went into the bar and watched. No one really worked. And no one cared when they came in to get their coffee and it wasn't ready. They stood around that one little TV mounted on the wall.

One of the guests brought out his camera and snapped a photo of me. It was dark in the bar except for the TV, and I remember the flash blinding me. It was then that I realized he was taking a picture of a historic moment... what he saw September 11th, the moment he saw it all happen, who he was with... I said nothing. I had no idea how to feel about being used as the subject of such a photograph. But that moment did make me realize... I was witnessing history.

I don't know who he was, and I've never seen the photo. But it's odd to think that somewhere, some elderly man will remember September 11th, and he's likely going to pull out the picture he took that moment. And there I'll be.... some nameless girl in the photo, with who knows what kind of shock on my face.

 

[bluespoke]

Sitting having lunch at the bottom of Ben Nevis, just a few minutes past 2pm.

Vaguely heard something on the radio about a plane and New York. Turned up the volume, heard the awful truth and drove back to the cottage opposite the Isle of Skye.

Spent he rest of the day watching the story unfold on TV.

 

[BigDawg69]

I remember distinctly. I was in a terrible hurry. The Lighting Designer for a huge show I was working on and I had just arrived at the Entertainment offices to finalize the lighting plot so that we could get it out to the equipment supplier. Our show was scheduled for October 1 and this was pushing it to reserve all the gear we would need for the rig. As we turned the corner in the building several people were standing staring open mouthed at a TV. I glanced up at the monitor to see smoke billowing from tower 1. Just then someone said that a plane had struck the World Trade Center and explained that we were watching it live on Good Morning America. Joe and I stopped our breath pulled out of our chests. I couldn't believe it.

We gathered our composure and walked upstairs to sit with the CAD guy and go over the drawing. Just as we neared his cubicle someone screamed out. "Another one just hit!" We all rushed to the TV and stood in complete shock.

Joe and I decided to head back to my office. On the short car ride there we listened to NPR and gathered as much information as anyone had. As we were walking into my building my cell phone rang. My wife was hysterical on the other end of the line. She told me she had just been talking to her sister who was on her way into work at the Washington Opera. My sister-in-law had crossed the bridge on 95 coming into the city and was on the phone with my wife when she heard a loud explosion at the Pentagon (which she had just passed). My sister-in-law turned her truck around in the median and drove back home.

In my office we stood around a TV in a conference room and watched in horror as the towers burned and then the first collapsed. I did not see the second tower fall. By that time I was needed to assist the operation in clearing our areas and providing security and comfort of our guests.

I will never forget.

 

[lilfrk]

I was laying in bed after working the 11pm to 7am shift. Just being still, I didn't have to work that night so I didn't need to sleep. I was watching one of the morning shows when they started to cover it. I was freaked the minute I saw it. Two of my really close friends work in that area. One just 2 streets away the other about 10 or 12 blocks away. I was petrified for them.

I don't remember what time it was, but before the towers fell my friend Rebekah called me from work. She was calm, an eerie kind of calm. She said she could see the towers burning and that she could see stuff falling but she didn't know what. Then she looked at the TV that was in the office there and said to me. "OMG it's people. People are jumping out of the building. Why would they do that Ally?" It was horrible to tell her that they were jumping so they didn't burn to death. That is was just their bodies natural reaction to the heat.

She told me that they weren't letting people out of her building. I remember being pissed about that. Even though the Mayor of NYC was on the TV telling everyone down there to get out and walk north they weren't letting people leave. I told her "Just leave Beck, your job will either be there or it won't." No desk job is worth being dead over." So she did, she told everyone that she worked with that the Mayor said to get out so she was getting out. They allowed the building to evacuate then.

A little while after that I got an e-mail from my other friend Ed that he was at his friends house and he was ok. That he'd talk to me soon.

At 3:30 my daughter came home from school and FREAKED on me. She was just 7 years old at the time. She was convinced that our friends Becky and Ed were dead. It took me 20 minutes to get her calmed down enough to tell her that I had heard from them both. They were both ok.

Evidently the school let her watch the whole thing on TV all day. She watched that all day thinking our friends where dead. She told me, "I didn't tell anyone I knew people there, I waited until I came home." It broke my heart.

I went to NYC in November last year. Like I always do. Ed and Becky to me to the site. Even then it was still burning. There were people crowded around the barricade taking pictures. A cop was nice enough to let me just inside so I could see a little better because I'm short.

The smell there was overwhelming and people were talking about it. They didn't know what it was. But I did. It was the smell of dead bodies rotting in the heat of the still burning building. There were dead rats in the street too. It was horrible. I can't put it any better than that. It was just horrible.

I went, I saw, I'll never ever forget it.

 

[lovetoread]

I was folding clothes and watching Fox News.

I was watching the news talk about the first plane crash and on the screen on live tv,the second plane hit.

 

[celiaKitten]

I was lying on the couch in the family room at my parent's house, watching the Today Show. My mom had just left to go watch my nephew in metro Detroit. I watched the whole thing unfold in my pajamas, with my kitties at my feet.

Since I was at my parent's house, I had to field the calls. (My mother is the *communication hub* for the family) I first called my mom, then my oldest brother who worked in the Renaissance Center in Detroit at the time. I slowly worked my way through the family. I remember everything feeling so crazy, that I had to hear from everyone that they were fine .. even though common sense told me that they were .. god, at that point .. I had no idea which end was up.

My oldest brother was called in to the Reserves, and my best friend (in the Navy) went to sea.

Then I spent my night online, talking to people at Lit, watching Peter Jennings online.

Good god, that confusion, that saddness.

 

[wizbit9]

i was decorating my parents lounge watching sky news avidly. while phoning around ensuring that all were watching what i saw unfolding.

my father came in half way through looking rather pleased for the whole situation.

(he's a die hard commie and has no time for anything american. especially it's politics)

not a day i'll forget and one my kids kids will hear about no doubt (if we get there that is)

 

[Cheyenne]

I was here, posting on TN_Vixen's thread as the news unfolded.

I am here again today, and life goes on.