NJ Quilter

Went to a small ceremony this morning where another piece of steel from the WTC was being transported to one of the local hospitals. Some last minute arrangements were made and the firetrucks transporting the steel were able to make a stop at our local private school for the students to see. There was also a giant 3-section posterboard for them to write their thoughts/memories.

Was talking with one of the faculty there as well as another employee and we all commented on remembering exactly where we were that day/time. Just like when Kennedy was shot. I remember a friend calling me that AM to say a plane had hit the first tower. I assumed she meant a small plane. Turned on the TV to the horror of the second building being hit. Continued to watch TV that day until NY broadcasting went 'dark' as most of the broadcast towers were damaged in those attacks. Even here in central NJ we could see and smell the smoke from the burning buildings.

DH is a volunteer firefighter and became an EMT shortly thereafter. Our local ambulance squad was called to one of the outlying triage centers. Our fire company was on standby. Most schools in the area on lockdown that day. An unfortunate number of students were picked up by folks not their parents as their parents had killed or injured. A horrible, horrible day that bears remembering forever. And constant work towards peace.

QuiltnNan

i was supposed to be there that day.. thank goodnes i wasn't. i heard alan jackson's 'where were you when the world stopped turning' while driving to quilting... i cry every time i hear it

Jan in VA

Nancy, I also heard Alan Jackson's song this morning as I drove to lunch. It sent me right back to that week in Williamsburg VA on the most military peninsula anywhere around- all services represented there except Marines.

Jets scrambled, many posts closed to the public, Commanders were unreachable, an aura of solemnity prevailed for a long time. On the 11th, not one of the residents of that part of Virginia felt safe; we all wondered if maybe the next attack would be on the peninsula, near our own homes. I cried and prayed for days. Finally had to force myself to stop watching the news because I couldn't eat, sleep or function.

Horrible, horrific day.

Jan in VA

callen

What a truly sad day that was in our world history. This not only affected the U.S. but the world. Unfortunately the U.S. took the brunt of this hatred but know that the world cried with you & if this didn't touch your heart, nothing will.

Iraxy

I was at my children's clinic in Texas where we took care of mostly illegal immigrant children. When the news got out, many of our neighbors in the area came to the clinic to watch the ongoing catastrophe, to commiserate and to get information as well as relate information (Telemundo was on the scene and their news was accurate and to the minute, many times much more informative than our network or cable news.) It was all day and went on for days.
Sorrowfully, sadly, tearfully, these women came and voiced their condolences and worried about the future of their chosen land of refuge. It was as if we were all mourning the death of a beloved family member. I will never forget the hugs, the tears, the words of comfort from these women, many of whom were in sad situations of their own.
All I can say at this time is Hold Strong America!

nwm50

Did ya hear Alan Jackson song yesterday? Called "where were u when?"

EllieGirl

We watched several shows last night about 9/11, from the viewpoint of the first responders, and also about the construction and engineering of both the WTC and the Pentagon. It was very interesting seeing the information. Engineers are pretty fascinating to me because of their knowledge. I had read before that the hijackers were engineering students and knew where to hit the buildings. The show I watched last night confirmed this according to the engineers.

sassey

I was in Chicago that day we were waiting to get our truck unloaded it was such a horrible feeling not knowing what was going to happen where I was people were saying Chicago will probably hit before midnight to me it was scarry we kept the radio and tv on all the time watched it everytime we stopped. Going back to the area was like relieving it seeing all the dump trucks filled with debri About 2 months later we got sent to NYC I was so scared with all going on we stopped and bought bottled water and food to eat in truck because there was the Rican scare I was so scared I broke out in hives while driving through the tunnel. I still have trouble watching the specials I get sick to my stomach everytime

Lori S

I was traveling yesterday on 9/11 . It was unavoidable , but I had to fly .. I will admit I was apprehensive to fly. I can still remember seeing live as the second plane when into the WTC.

Retired Fire Chief

The memory is still so fresh, even though it has been so many years. I was in Lansing at the annual fire inspectors educational conference with 250 fire prevention specialists from all over the state when we learned of the first plane during the morning's daily announcements. The Kellogg Center on MSU's campus were our conferences are held immediately set up televisions in the lobby for us to watch. Our training day turned into watching the second plane, the towers falling and all the other horrible events. Many of my colleges were called home from fear of more attacks. Many of us cried, many of us were just staring in disbelief. When I returned home on Friday afternoon, my husband was watching the news, they were showing extinguishment still in progress and still the disbelief of the country that something could happen like this in America. My husband and I fell into each others arms and we both cried openly for a long time. As a firefighter, I will never forget and can imagine how the firefighters felt during their pending doom. God bless them all.