Where were you 4 years ago?

[southerngale]

Well, tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of that fateful day that started out as such a beautiful morning. 4 years later and I still think about that day often. I read 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers recently and it's a chilling inside look at many of the people inside the towers, some who made it out and some who didn't. The book is both heartbreaking and inspiring, a truly compelling book.

I remember that morning so well. I was visiting my sister and awoke to her shaking me, saying, "Kelly, wake up. I think a plane hit the World Trade Center. I don't know anything else." We're both big news buffs and often call each other when there's important breaking news. We were both asleep as we'd stayed up really late visiting. She woke up and turned on the TV about 7:50-7:55am. That's when she saw the Fox News Alert about the airplane hitting the WTC. When she woke me up and told me, I was half out of it and thought to myself...I'm still tired, but I'll go see what's going on and figured I'd fall back asleep after seeing what happened. Boy was I ever wrong! As we watched everyone try to figure out what kind of plane and how a pilot "accidentally" crashed into the WTC on such a clear morning, we saw the 2nd plane strike the South Tower live on TV. Within a few seconds, David Asman on Fox News brought up Osama bin laden.

Well, I don't want to write a book here. We just didn't know what was going to happen next and things kept getting worse for what seemed like an eternity. All planes grounded? Whoa. Then the Pentagon, then Flight 93. It was all too much, unbearable.
We were in complete shock. Me, unable to move from the spot where I first sat, glued to the TV. Her, unable to sit still as she couldn't stop picking up and sorting through things while also glued to the TV. Obviously, like the rest of the country watching, we were sad, mad, nervous of what was yet to come. I remember exactly how I felt that day, as if it was yesterday. I remember everything about where we were, what we said, who called, everything. It was a day like none other I'd ever known. That "nap" I mentioned after seeing what happened, didn't come for a long time. I slept very little for weeks and dreamt about the victims often. Reading what many of them endured in that book just brought me closer to them, and the stories of heroism are plentiful. Some heroes made it out alive, many didn't. God bless the victims of 9/11 and their loved ones.

[PurdueWx80]

I was sound asleep. My roommate at the time woke me up right before the 2nd plane hit - I guess I sorta felt like it was all a dream at first. That was such a bizarre day, watching as everything unfolded...from each hit to the towers falling to gas prices going through the roof and so on.

It was particularly scary for me because my uncle worked in one of the other World Trade Center buildings adjacent to the towers. My family didn't hear from him until much later that day, so as you can imagine, we were worried to death. As it turns out he was buying a CD for my cousin's birthday and was walking to work (a few blocks from it) when the first plane hit, literally right above him. In the ensuing chaos, he ran and randomly found his partner in a nearby park - the two of them ran to a friend's place to watch the rest of the day's events before heading out of the city to get away from whatever else might happen (which makes sense since their condo is in a high-rise in Brooklyn right next to the Brooklyn Bridge). When they visited a few months later for Christmas, my uncle performed a song that he had written about 9/11 that made us all cry our eyes out for what seemed like hours. Ugh.

I was just visiting them in NY earlier this week - was really good to be in the city. They had just turned on the 2 light columns (although my uncles said it must've been a test because they were in the wrong spot). We sat and talked for hours about what they went through that day - a lot of it is still a blur to them. Both of them lost very close friends, and my uncle's workplace was destroyed when the towers collapsed onto it.

I slept very little that week as well, partially from worry about something else happening, and of course to see the aftermath of the attacks. This whole Katrina thing brought back a lot of memories, although it does feel a bit different since the timescale of the hurricane was much less abrupt than the attack 4 years ago. In any event, I will not soon forget what happened that day. New York certainly seems to be moving on, and I hope one day that New Orleans is able to as well.

[Brent]

I was at school... 8th Grade. It was 3rd Period when my dad came to check me out. They told us NOTHING at school. I was in complete shock. I had never followed world events(although I did follow the 2000 election, but that was about it). There hasn't been a day since that I haven't watched the news. The 4th anniversary doesn't feel as sad as the others for some reason... don't know if it's because of Katrina, because it's the 4th anniversary, or a little of both.

[azsnowman]

Michelle and I were sitting at the table having breakfast, coffee and reading the paper. We had the news on for "background" noise, just happened to look up when I heard "OMG....there's the second plane!" I turned to MSNBC for better coverage and I COULD NOT believe my eyes

Dennis

[TexasStooge]

I was at Nimitz High School in Irving in 10th grade classes when the whole situation happened. Most of the classes were delayed that day because we were watching live coverage of the twin tower attacks.

Usually 2 minutes of oldies from the radio was played on the intercom before the 8:15AM tardy bell rang, then I heard Pres. Bush on the intercm saying, "I like everyone to join me in a moment of silence during this tragic time..." I knew somethin' was wrong when I heard that statement.

[streetsoldier]

I slept in, nursing a cold; got up about 12:30 CDT, and logged on to check my E-mail account. The front page was blaring something about WTC being hit..

I called my younger brother, thinking it was a bad joke, and all he could say was "Turn on the TV". I did.

[kevin]

If it wasn't for 9/11 I'd have been a much different thinker than I am today. I was in high school, it was during personal fittness. We were working out and someone ran in. Class was stopped. The tv was on, and we saw the footage. In every class we watched it, and most my fellow students knew exactly what it meant, war. I was fearful at first, but when I saw America respond I knew that it was nothing but the sting of an insect. I am very proud to be an American.

Since we do not anticipate the pain, although, when the hour comes, we can be as brave as those who never allow themselves to rest; thus our city is equally admirable in peace and in war

-Thucydides. 'Pericles' Funeral Oration'

[nystate]

I was in school also. We had no idea what had happened, and I went through most of day oblivious as to what was going on. I had heard a few teachers talking of a car bomb attack on the White House, but I figured that it was just another nut mad at the President and that it wouldn't amount to be too much. Sort of like a one day news story, if you know what I mean.

Then it got to the lass class period of the day, math. My math teacher read us a statement from the school, stating that due to "the terrorist activities in Washington, DC and New York, all after school sporting events and activities are cancelled for today." I asked him what had happened, and he said that he was under instructions not to let us know what was going on. I then asked him if we could turn on the news, and he said no. He started talking to his friend, a shop teacher, and I heard "How did they get into our airspace?" This confused me, and I thought that we were under some kind of military attack.

The bell rang, and on the way out over the intercom blared "I'm proud to be an American." I started talking to my friends on my bus, and they told me what had happened. I was shocked. Everyone was telling us (myself and the people on my bus) that because we lived on a military base (Fort Drum) we would be next. I didn't know what to think, I just wanted to get home.

Our school bus approached the gate, and soldiers armed with M-16s boarded and did a thorough search before letting us onto the base to get to our housing area. We drove through the base and everything looked so different. On the railroad tracks that crossed the road leading to our homes, a train was halted and heavily armed soldiers were using mirrors to check every train car for bombs. The tanks that I had seen parked so often were rolling, down the street, but I didn't know where or why.

I got home and was glued to the TV screen. I knew that this was big, and that our community would be involved in some way. That night I finally got away from the TV screen and headed outside to talk with my friends about it. The sun was setting, and our conversation was shattered by a lone F-16 fighter taking off from the airfield, headed for a combat air patrol over destinations unknown.

The next day we walked to the bus stop and waited for our bus to pick us up at 7:15 am as usual. Only today, 7:15 am passed and there was no bus. We waited, and waited, and finally around 8:30 am one of the parents told us that every vehicle headed onto the base was being searched, inside and out. The backups were tremendous. Finally, at 9:15 am, two hours late, our bus showed up. We got to school almost in the middle of the school day, but no one asked any questions. They understood.

Coming home the day after, on 9/12, was unusual, but would eventually become the norm. Soldiers, armed with M-16s, would search our bus every day for the next year until I switched schools. Tanks were again on patrol that day, although after 9/12 I didn't see them in motion on our main streets anymore. Phones rang and my friends families were split apart as their fathers were sent to New York City and eventually Afghanistan. The world had changed, and it had changed us with it. Our innocence was lost; we were awaken to the harsh realities of war on a personal term that none of us had ever known before.

That day will never leave me...It will never leave any of us who lived through it...

[wxmann_91]

I was asleep when the first plane crashed (west coast is three hours behind east coast). My dad woke me up and told me something about plane crash, and I woke up. I first turned on TWC as during that time I was overly obsessed with it, and I didn't believe my dad, and TWC also said something about planes crashing. So I turned to MSNBC and saw the destruction in the World Trade Towers. By that time I think three or all four planes had already crashed. When I went to school our school held a moment of silence. I was in 5th grade.

[nholley]

I was living in Barcelona Spain. Sept 11 is a holiday over there so I was at home trying to keep up with everything in Spanish.

[vbhoutex]

Driving to work. I was a few blocks from the office when the first report came over the radio. I got to the office, turned on my computer and ims started coming in from several people about what had happened. The rest of the morning was a blur of seeing the second plane go in on a tv set up in one of the conference rooms and then leaving to go be with my daughter while she had minor day surgery later that morning.

[GalvestonDuck]

At a doctor's appointment...at an outpatient clinic at UTMB. I walked from the clinic to my office and as I walked down the hall, someone ran from one office to another, opened the door, and said, "They got the Pentagon too!" I stopped and asked what she meant and that was the first clue I had about what was going on.

[Skywatch_NC]

Was getting ready for work and had Good Morning America on when breaking news that one of the towers had been hit by an airliner...and then everyone of course wasn't suspicious right away...but soon thereafter the second tower took a hit...so then suspicion did arise! Then at work the head manager and a supervisor had the radio on pretty much all day...then more attacks announced at the Pentagon and over PA!

A day that will be etched into the hearts and minds of America forever...and let us never forget.

Eric

[mf_dolphin]

I took of from Tampa on a Flight to Eastern PA. We were in the air when the first plane hit. We landed in Cincinatti and went to the Delta Crown room to see what was going on. We were there when the second plane hit. 18 hours later we managed to get a car and head home. I still have my boarding pass from that flight.....

[Janice]

I will never forget that morning. I was in the kitchen fixing some breakfast and watching CNN as usual. John was in the bathroom shaving and getting ready for work. I heard CNN say a small plane hit one of the buildings. I did not panic at that point, because there was not much more news other than maybe it was a smaller plane. Then we realized it was a larger passenger plane. I went in and told John that a large plane hit one of the buildings. He continued in the bathroom getting ready thinking it was a horrible accident. I went back into the kitchen/family room area continuing to watch for more information when another plane hit the other building. I was shocked and scared. I ran up to tell John, and all I remember he saying was, this is no accident. That was the beginning. He stayed home that day.

[george_r_1961]

I was at work that day as a cook..doing my normal pre opening routine. One of the owners walked in and yelled "Turn on the TV!!..theres been a terrorist attack!" We all stood in shock as they showed over and over again the second plane hitting the tower. Then video of the rescue efforts was shown. Our normal lunch crowd of Defense contractor employees was nearly absent that day. and the owner..not knowing if another attack was imminent, closed a little ofter 6 that night. The streets here were deserted that nite as most ppl were at home watching the news.

[beachbum_al]

Four years ago today I was getting my oldest daughter (2 1/2 at the time) ready for ballet. I remember watching the news and putting her ballet outfit on and then I saw the unthinkable. I went ahead and took her to ballet and one of the childrens' brother was in the WTC. He worked at the restaurant on the top floor. She didn't know if he was there. Turned out that Sept 11 he was off.

It is a day I will never forget!

[pojo]

I was at UWGB starting my sophomore year... My roommate had gotten up for classes and I could sleep anymore so I got up... I had a gut feeling that something wrong had happened... check my email, and the WTC situation was unveiling, I turned in just before the Pentagon was hit. I went to my only class that day and the professor told us to take a couple of minutes to remember what happened and then we continued with classes... right at the end of class he told us to call home to tell our parents that we loved them. Anyways, long story short, I have numerous certifications through the American Red Cross and was emailed by the president of my local chapter and was told to report that next day for a month in NYC. I called my bosses and they fought to keep me back home. They won, however I feel guilt today that I didn't go. Anyways, I didn't have to work my other job that day (CBS station in Green Bay) however, I went in to help demolish the studio set. I walked into the newsroom to find "Attack on America" written on the Assignment Board... nothing else.

My question is... why does it take a tradegy to pull people together (ie 9-11; Katrina). It seems once the tradegy is over, people go back to their selfish way of life... not caring about anything going on outside their little bubble.

[zoeyann]

I was just put my daughter on the bus and turned on the television, and my mom called me. She told me to turn on CNN, but did not tell me why. I did not know what was going on, but did like she asked. I saw one of the towers on fire, and asked my mom what happened. She said a plane had crashed into it. I thought what a horrible accident how could that have happened. Then I saw the second plane hit the other tower. It occured to me rather quickly that it was not accident, and somehow our country was being attacked. I remember just holding on to my one-year-old and crying. I hung up the phone and went to my in-law's house up the road. I was just so mortified and wanted to be with other people. Then the Pentagon, then the plane in Pennslyvania. I just kept praying to God to please make it stop. The rest of the day seemed so strange the day seemed like it would never end, but there was so much to process it also seemed there was no time to possibly take it all in. It just did not seem possible. The thought that crossed my mind constantly then and now with Katrina is the true horror of both situations is now you can watch these things unfold in real time on television, but you are so powerless to stop it from happening. The images of that day will be forever burned into my mind. I will never forget 9-11's victims and their families, or the hero's who risked themselves to help others.

[stormie_skies]

My friends company had paid for an all-exclusive trip to Cancun - and I was invited along. We slept fairly late (a bit hung over from the "booze cruise" the night before). I woke up and hopped in the shower first. My friend turned on the tv. When I came out and saw what was happening on the screen, I thought it was a movie. Nope. It was real. OMG. Unreal.

Booked it over to the elevator to head for the lobby - to talk to someone, anyone, to see if they had seen what we had seen. Ran into a friend who was with our group in the elevator. "This is gonna be WWIII," he said.

The lobby was packed...Americans, Brits, French, Mexicans, tourists from all over - no one could take their eyes off of the TV. People whose flights had been suspended sat atop piles of luggage, looking especially confused - what were they supposed to do?? Most of us stayed in the lobby all day - the resort started catering meals there, because people didn't want to leave. By the time the President spoke to the nation for the first time, they had brought three additional TVs into the lobby, so everyone could watch.

I will never forget the kindness shown to us Americans in that place and time....people we had never met, who barely spoke our language, would offer condolences. They would pay for our meals and offer hotel rooms at discounted rates or even free (we were all stranded, obviously, until air space opened again). It really was a tragedy for everyone - and it moved me to see the same kind of sadness and shock in the eyes of people that lived halfway around the world as I saw in the eyes of my fellow Americans.

The flight home....well, suffice it to say it was the scariest flight I have ever taken. We left the first day airspace was reopened. Everyone was pale and nervous. You could hear a pin drop during the whole flight; no one moved, people barely breathed.

It was nice to be home - even if home would never be the same.