Do you remember where you were when first hearing the news? What was your first thoughts? I still remember to this day, exactly where I was. I was at a red light, just about to make a left turn, about 500 yards from my office. My first thought was what kind of idiot would fly that close and hit a building. Was it a mistake? Did the pilot fall asleep? My mind was racing. As I drove up to the parking lot, there was another news flash that another plane just flew into the South Tower. At this time, I knew it wasn't an accident and my adrenaline was rushing strong.
I ran into the office, a few of my co-workers just settling into their seats, not knowing what happened. I ran into my bosses office and turned on the tv. We sat there watching for about 45 minutes. It wasn't more than about 10 minutes later, when two of our processors went back to their desks to work, when I yelled out, "OMG, OMG... one of the towers is collapsing. Just after watching the South Tower to fall first, I just sat there with my hands in my face, tears streaming down. I just didn't know what to think.
I was just telling a friend of mine tonight that I felt semi guilty tonight, because I haven't really thought about today, as 9/11. I was just busy today. besides being tired from traveling yesterday because of this - My travels to Washington DC. I also ran out of the house with no red, white, and blue on, without my little American Flag pin, or any thoughts on my mind. She told me not to dwell on. But how can I not now.... just thinking about all of those families and how they lost their loved ones, just because of some group that has hatred for all that are alive. It just makes me sick to my stomach.
All I know and remember after 9/11 was watching the news coverage 6 to 8 hours a day. Mainly into the wee hours of the morning. Sometimes going to sleep at 3 am or 4 am. Just watching so many families asking for help, to find those loved ones that haven't called home yet. I was so fortunate because I didn't know anyone that was killed in these attacks. But I did have a few friends that lost others. My only concern was when the attacks first took place was to make sure that my brother-in-law was okay. He worked in Manhattan and use to work in the South Tower a year previously. He was moved to midtown, which was like 20 to 30 blocks away, and I am so grateful for that.
I can also remember when we first invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, that maybe I should go back into the Army. See, I served from 1986 to 1988, and I am proud to be an American. And I was very close to the cut off date to enlist. There was a part of me that wanted to give back and help. Just as those 411 emergency workers who lost their lives trying to help and save those that were trapped in the Towers. We need to remember all that were involved and those still struggling with their losses.
The Sphere, which is symbol of what happened on 9/11/01. I got to vist that Sphere - The Sphere
And for those of you who might have missed this, Yvette Smith tells her story. 9-11 A Day I won't forget This is a must read. Just have a tissue handy.
9/11 - REMEMBER IT FOREVER
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I remember every detail of that day. I was dressing to go to the weekly office meeting. I had Matt and Katie on the Today show when they broke away for a shot of the plane that had hit the first tower. We actually saw the second plane hit and simply could not believe what was happening. All day was surreal. The sky seemed a different color, a different brilliance, so weird. I did not know anyone personally who died but my sister-in-law had a good friend killed. It did seem we came together as a country. Wonder what happened to that scenario? I will never forget.
I felt guilty as well....I did think of 9/11 often today, but just not in the manner that I had in the p;ast. How long until this becomes a national Holiday? I'm as guilty as anyone. At least you posted on it. I just posted on a buddy who gave me a referral this week.
I was in my 45 hour post-licensing class. Someone came running in the class, yelling incoherently. So we followed them a couple of doors down, to a sports bar that had a TV. It was probably the only time (before the class went online) that the rules were broken, in regards to regulated amount of hours we had to sit in that class. And I'm sorry to say that I was half way through my day today before I even realized what date it was.
I'll never forget that day, nor the time that they tried before. My first trip to New York was with my Dad...and we went to the top of both the World Trade Center & Empire State Building the same day. WTC was much more impressive to a 14-year old kid.
Took my wife to NYC for the first time a few months after the first bombing, and the havoc to traffic and life in lower Manhattan was appalling. The thing to remember out of all of this is the spirit of the American people that came out of hiding after this tragedy.
Thanks Jeff! We will always remember.
CAROL.... it's a shame that it took something like that to bring us together as a country. And now, with the elections, we seem far apart again. It's very frustrating and agrivating to me... at least in my opinion. Thanks for your feedback.
LARRY..... after my trip to DC yesterday and just that I was so far behind.... my mind didn't allow it until I got home tonight... then it all started to sink in. And I am trying to stay away from the tv tonight, that will be replaying all of this. I still remember all of that all to well. thanks
LISA..... your example shows that people are human and still care. It's good to see rules broken, when something like this happens. Thanks for sharing this.
Jeff - I remember that I slept late that day. My mom called to ask if I had seen the news, and she wanted to tell me that she loved me. My head was still woozy, so I actually thought that we were being nuked (yes, really). My stomach dropped for a few seconds. I remember my wife made a point to videotape our two kids to show them why they wouldn't remember 9/11 - they were 2 and a half and five months old then. It makes me sad to realize how many kids are growing up having lost a parent in this senseless attack.
Jeff,
Thanks for the post. As a native New Yorker, I spent many days in the towers. Every morning and evening, I used the commuter system below the towers. My wife and I dined at Windows on the World , had cocktails at the Skytop Lounge and we patronized the stores and restaurants on the first floor. However, since that fateful day, neither of us can bring ourselves to return to that site. We had long since gave up jobs in New York, when the tragedy occurred. Our memories of the time we spent there, is as if it were yesterday. The idea of visiting the site now, isn't even a remote thought!
Jeff, there are certain moments in everyones lives that leave indelible marks, this is one of them. I will always remember or more accurately never forget .....I will never forget where I was, what I was doing, who I spoke to and the wild thoughts that raced through my mind for over 48 plus hours or complete disbelief at the events that were unfolding before our very eyes. It is palpable.
Bo
Jeff,
I was working at a brokerage in Northern Virginia at the time and my client base was primarily defense contractors and civil service workers at the Pentagon and Crystal City. I was literally on my way out the door to an appointment when my now husband called to have me turn on the TV, the first plane had hit; as we watched the second one hit. I cancelled my appointments and stayed home. I spent the majority of the day working with my network to locate our friends and clients who worked in the Pentagon. All told we lost three friends at the Pentagon. I know it's not a large as the towers, but it too is a part of that day, and E-wing is mostly a secretatial and accounting wing for the government not a high tech military zone. These were everyday people working a governtment job for the most part. I doubt I'll ever forget what I was doing and where I was that day.
Jeff,
It's a day we'll never forget and we will remember where we were, who we were with and what we were doing.
We need to see these pictures every day!! Lest we forget what happened.
Not to dwell on it? Excuse me...every American should remember that day, when someone invaded our soil.
I believe this should be a Federal Holiday, a day of rememberce.
And Jeff, I like your new picture. You look professional, nice touch with the Capital behind you.
Jeff,
Thanks for the post. As always very useful information. This will be helpful in assisting buyers with estimates of closing costs.