On the 8th anniversary of the horrific attacks of 9/11, the nation mourns the loss of life and the loss of innocence. On this day in 2001, I was living in California and working in the investment industry at a private firm. I woke up just before 6AM Pacific (just before 9AM eastern) and turned on my TV just in time to watch the second plane plow into the World Trade Towers. Where were you when you learned of the attacks? Tell your story in the comments. On the 8th anniversary of the horrific attacks of 9/11, the nation mourns the loss of life and the loss of innocence. On this day in 2001, I was living in California and working in the investment industry at a private firm. I woke up just before 6AM Pacific (just before 9AM eastern) and turned on my TV just in time to watch the second plane plow into the World Trade Towers. Where were you when you learned of the attacks? Tell your story in the comments. 35 Responses to “Where Were You?”
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I was at home in Greenwich Village, New York, sleeping. A friend called and told me that planes had crashed into the World Trade Center. I thought he was playing a joke. He had been on the Promenade which is a part of Brooklyn Heights that looks over the harbor and from which you could see the World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, etc. He had been walking on the Promenade when the second plane crashed and he told me he began to cry. It was surreal. He told me that the images would remain in his mind for the rest of his life and that he – and everyone else in New York City, as well as in the country – would never be the same. He was right. For weeks and weeks afterwards, when I walked around the City, people were so subdued, as if they were walking in their sleep, appearing to be in a state of shock – and there were so many tiny pieces of white paper-like things floating in the air for so long afterwards – seemed like more than a month. Friends of mine were police people and first responders, etc. Those who survived were down at Ground Zero for endless days and hours in special suits – like spacemen – working at the site. It felt as if no one was breathing a solitary breath. You felt as if everything was happening outside of yourself – as if you were in a nightmare or a horror movie. I had missed the initial images on TV and in some sort of peverse way, wanted to see what had happened. I remember telling that to my friend who had awakened me with the news. He responded that those images would be shown over and over again for lifetimes. Unfortunately, he was right.
My nephew worked at the World Trade Center. He was a trader. He would have been in the towers at the time of the attack. Amazingly, his second son arrived that morning and he had to take his wife to the hospital. The baby had come late. Obviously, the baby came at the right time to save his daddy’s life. What a miracle!
I remember clearly that I was at home, with the TV news on, when it all started. I stood in total shock and could not even imagine how many people were in those towers. I lived in Manhattan years ago, and it spooked me to go up to the top of the towers because it felt too high. I truly couldn’t believe watching the people who jumped. I was a nanny to my nephews at the time, and they both called me from college to ask if their mother (my sister) was on any of th planes. She traveled extensively for her job. I had already talked with her that morning about how bad the tragedy was, and I knew she was safe. I felt terrible that I didn’t think to call her sons to say she was okay.
I was in my family room at home getting ready to teach my son who I homeschooled. He was still upstairs finishing up some chores. My husband called me right after the first plane hit the tower and told me to turn on the television. I did so and stood there watching while first tower was burning and the second tower was hit. I didn’t get teaching done that day. I watched as the news reported about the Pentagon and about the flight that went down in Pennsylvania. I was shocked, horror-stricken and then numb. I sat there trying to think through if I had any family that might be involved, or if I had friends that were in that area at the time. I did not have loved ones involved personally in this tragedy, but I am sorry grieved still for those who lost loved ones that day. Its not something I will ever forget. When I think about that day, I still get all those images in my mind from the news coverage and the first one is always of the second tower being hit by the plane.
My husband and I owned an auto repair business at the time. In order to expediate a car he was repairing, I offered to go pick up the necessary parts rather than wait for a delivery.
I remember listening to the Howard Stern show and they brought up about a plane hitting a building. Well, as we all know about Howard Stern I did not know if it was a stunt or not. When I entered the parts house, the staff were watching the television and that is when I realized that is was no stunt.
There was such a sense of loss and hopelessness that came over me at that time. I picked up my parts and rushed back to the garage and informed my husband. We actually closed the business for the day and spent time with our family.
It was such a horrible lose and I hope that we as a people never have to endure that again.
I was working on the 8th floor of a large office building in Fort Lee, NJ, which was right at the entrance of the George Washington Bridge that leads into NY.
I remember one of the girls at work coming in late and saying that something must have happened in NY because traffic going into the city was almost at a standstill.
When we found out what happened, I remember just having a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. As the day progressed and we heard more and more of what was going on, it became very scary. I remember thinking how I just wanted to go home and be with my family.
We were looking out of the windows of our office building and saw army helicopters flying so close.
Our boss sent us all home, but there were girls that lived in NY who could not get home because all of the bridges and tunnels that lead into NY were closed, so two of them came home with me that night.
I remember how hard it was for them, especially one who had small children at home. Her children were really scared. They didn’t know what was going on, but they knew that it wasn’t good.
All that night we watched tv and cried and thought about all of the people lost.
It is an experience I will never forget. No one should.
I had just taken my son to his first day of Middle School on the Upper Eastside , as I continued on my way to a surgical conference at the Marriott Marquis. Upon registering for the day’s session, I was informed by my colleagues that there had been an accidental plane crash into the WTC, and that our services as rescuers where needed. We were all stymied in our efforts to approach ground zero due to gridlock in Midtown. We were re-directed to proceed to our respective hospitals instead, and await the incoming injured.
I was a New York-Cornell Trauma/Burn surgeon specializing in Critical Care, at the time, and as the days events unfolded, I became painfully aware of the depth of the tragedy and the paucity of survivors who reached our facility. We remained vigilante and mobilized, prepared to resuscitate and manage the care of the expected mass casualties that failed to arrive. The enormity of horror haunts be still.
Wow! That’s an amazing perspective you possess and one that is not particularly enviable. I remember hearing that ERs we shocked because there were no survivors flooding in for treatment.
I was living in Las Vegas, NV., and was working the grave yard shift. Customers at the hotel were telling me the news and that they had no way of getting home or in some cases not being able to contact their loved ones. It was very unsetteling and somber. We at the hotel tried to make arraingements for them to get home but it was very difficult. We had customers renting cars and making bus travel plans due to the hightened security measures being in Las Vegas were the bombers were suppose to have stayed was a trying task to get the arraingments done.
I also had a family member in the police department at the time.He went through that horiffic day and counts his blessings that he must have had an angel with him. He is still on the force but not in the city, he went back home to the Hamptons.
God bless that day that the angels came down from up above and saved so many lives, but for those who were lost the memories will last forever.
In Memory of 9-11 and all the brave people.
Dawn
I was on my way to work after taking my children to daycare. I was late getting in and did not know why. After getting off the bus, I noticed I had several missed calls from my mother. I told myself I would call her back because I just wanted to get to work being that I was already late. As soon as I got to work, a co-worker said a plane just went into the WTC. I thought she was kidding because she always jokes around. Then one of the doctors came out of his office and told me that he was closing the office for the day because of all the confusion. After his statement the phone rang and I picked up to hear a patient crying saying he could not make his appointment because his son was in the WTC and needed to find out if he was alright. This is when I realized something happened. I called my mother and started to cry because I did not know what was happening and realized my twin sister worked in Manhattan. The first thing I remember was calling the daycare to see if my boys were OK and to let them know I was coming to get them. I was informed to be careful because there were people a few blocks away from the daycare chanting and applauding what has happened. I could not believe this. I tried calling my sister after this and was told by my mom that she was alright and had to walk across the bridge. To this day it is very sad to see the 9/11 memorial because I cannot believe how many lives were lost that day and how others have no regard for human live. God Bless the victims and their families.
Also we should thank the medical personnel for all they have done and who are the heros who helped so many others to safety.
I remember being on my way to a job site, hearing the news break on the radio, and thinking, someone flew a small plane into the trade center. Later, after reaching the job site and fully realizing what had transpired, the sense of helplessness and anger took hold. It’s really sad that with all the problems besetting us that we must let ideological issues cause us to kill one another. I suppose its an embarassing part of the human condition.
I have a friend, a man with many degrees, who was stranded in the City during that nightmare and now, he never goes anywhere without a wheeled suitcase with survival components in it. And he avoids whenever is possible going into New York City. He clearly was traumatized as a result, he told me, of being stranded in New York City unable to get back to his home in Brooklyn for so many, many hours that day. He is clearly aware that it is unusual behavior, but is at the mercy of the “phobia” that developed subsequent to that horrific day. Goodness knows how many other people are dealing with similar and worse post traumatic stress symptoms.
I had gotten to work early, and was looking out the window from my 17th floor corner office in the Chrysler Building. Such a beautiful day in New York City…the view downtown is always so breathtaking. And then I saw the plane hit. It was surreal. Like watching a movie. I would not have been surprised if King Kong had appeared. Everyone in the office began to panic as word spread and people saw the Tower burning. The office manager told us all to stay seated, but a co-worker and I decided to leave and were able to take the elevator down to the lobby before the elevators were later turned off. There was pandemonium on the streets. It was terrifying. No one knew what was going on….was there a safe place to hide? We ran to my apartment in Hell’s Kitchen (west side of NYC). We watched the news reports on television. No one spoke. I later learned that a friend of mine who worked near the Chrysler building ran to find me at work but he was not allowed access to the building. He then ran all the way to my apartment to find me there. Three friends sat in silence, bewildered, shocked, terrified…. and watched the reports on tv. And today, when I see the empty space in the skyline where the buildings were I feel that sickening feeling. Each 9/11 I feel sadness all over again. Time heals nothing, just rearranges the way one looks at things so one can move on. Time heals nothing.
Although it was 8 years ago, it still feels like yesterday. I was working at a bank in downtown Charlotte NC, when I heard the news. At first I thought, where is the World Trade Center, then I remembered, NY. The bank closed early for the day. I was going to pick up my boys from preschool, while driving I was listening to the stories on the radio, and I cried. That night we watched the news, still in shock. I decided to make red, white, and blue pins to wear to work. I made enough for the teller line. The next day I was making more for others in the building. I had red, white, and blue ribbons on my car. I remember people showing their patriotism. As the years go by, so does the fight. I know we have people over there fighting now, but on Sept 11, 2009 I was off work. I was ready to watch Good Morning America play tribute that morning. I was quickly sadden. I heard the first bell ring, I saw the President in Washington, and then they went to a commercial. I thought to myself , That’s all I get to see? I wanted to at least hear all the bells, and do the moment in silence. I just remember people helping others, and showing their American Pride, however, I feel over time we lose that. I just wish it didn’t take a tragedy, to make us appreciate what we have. God Bless America, The troops over seas, and the family and friends of those we lose.
The events of that horrific day will forever be burned into my memory. I was working in the cash office for Target in Pennsylvania at the time. Probably about 3 hours from the city. I was listening to Howard Stern on my radio and suddenly Robyn said she saw smoke coming from a building out their window. Quickly they were getting information on what was happening. One by one, the planes were reported and I remember this crippling, irrational fear that took over me. I knew a plane wasn’t going to crash into my store but at the same time I was thinking that it actually could happen. More and more information came and I was just overcome by the need to be with my husband. I remember coming home and walking in and actuallly seeing the footage of the planes flying into the building and the people jumping from the towers and sitting down and just crying….
I was on a business trip in Denver, Colorado checking out of the hotel to go home. At the checkout desk was a TV showing the details. We rushed to the airport to board a company jet and we were told no one could be in the air. We drove home from Denver three days later. Than on September 23rd I was on a commercial jet from LAX to Phoenix. The airlines let all the passengers board and we had a terrorist on our airplane. The dogs and the FBI stormed the plane and took the man and lady off our airplane. They had left sharped screw drivers in their rental car and their baggage had something in it. They took the airplane after we all got back off to the middle of the air field and took everything off of it, it took 6 hours. We boarded the plane again and went home. The plane was full when the first time. It had 8 passengers the second time. We did some true soul searching before re-boarding.
I was getting ready for school ( I was 15 years old). I turned on the t.v. as I always did in the morning. I saw the same thing on every channel… the Twin Towers. I did not understand what was going on and how serious this was until I arrived at school. I remember seeing my mom crying, but did not really grasp the idea of what had really occurred. While at school I learned much more from my teachers and my peers and I realized this was a horrible tragedy and our country would never be the same. Everyone talked about it all day and we watched the news coverage on tv in every class. After school was out I went home and remember feeling very scared. I can not believe it has been 8 years… God Bless.
Allyson Chudnofsky
On 9/11 I was working in my Real Estate job and we received a phone call about the crash and turned on the tv we had in our break room. We stood in awe and could not believe our eyes. We then watched the 2nd plane crash into the towers and tears and disbelief became the feelings. I then had to go show a house to a customer and couldn’t concentrate on my job at hand. We watched the whole day and couldn’t take our eyes off the tv. Our hearts went out to each and every one of the individuals that gave their lives that day and it changed the way that we looked at everyone and realized that we needed to hug our children, call our parents and tell our loved ones how much we cared.
I was on my way to work, which was right down the street from O’Hare airport in Chicago. I heard the radio announcer and couldn’t believe my ears. Thought at first it was a prank. Then my niece called me and asked if I heard, then I knew it was true. After that I looked in the sky, not an airplane in sight. As I got closer to work and to the airport, it was a strange sight to see O’Hare so quiet. Hope I never have to see anything like that again.
I can remember were I was that day like it was yesterday. I was at the boys school counting money for a funraiser and someone came in and said a plane just crashed into the World Trade Center. I thought how terrible but never would have believed the circumstances around the crash. Then someone said there has been another crashed into the Trade center. We all gathered around the tv and watched in disbelief. We could not comprehend why this happened. So many innocent people died. Tears flooded us all. We also felt helpless because we were in SC which seemed so far away. The phones started ringing off the hook and parents came to get their children out of school. You could tell that there was fear in everyone. I went home with my kids and started calling everyone I knew to check on them and to tell them I loved them. I stayed glued to the tv for reports. Finding out that this was a terrorist act was shocking, it is so unimaginable that people have no regard for human life. A group of us met at church to pray for the families and all those who risked their lives to save people. I also remember feeling so helpless watching the tv and wanting to help. I commend all those involved in all the efforts made to rescue and support. I think that day we as Americans united in spirit. God Bless all the heros.
Linda Palumbo
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a Tuesday morning and I was at the local bowling center where the ladies league was just getting ready to begin practice. Since we had overhead televisions, the manager had turned on the morning shows which were pre-empted by the news of the attack. When we all saw the second plane hit the twin towers, we thought it was a replay of the first plane. Needless to say, we were terribly shocked and frightened. I think that was the first time we had not bowled for any reason other than weather. I remember thinking that I needed to get my children home from school. My son was in high school at the time and I went and checked him out. My daughter was in college in downtown Atlanta, and I was extremely concerned about her safety. In the ensuing weeks, I saw a spirit of Americans that I have never seen before and have never been more proud to be an American. My husband and I felt that it was a tragedy that it took this type of disaster to bring American together as one. God bless America!!
I was working in Brooklyn at a private doctor’s office on a quiet morning before the afternoon patient rush. I was getting a head start on insurance authorizations over the phone. The exact moment I heard someone from the office scream out “a plane crashed in the Twin Towers”. My instinct was to run out in to the street. I saw the smoke and smell the stench. I thought about my 7 month old son who was at my aunt’s house and called to check on him. My mom was working in the city but I could not get in contact with her. She walked across the Brooklyn Bridge all the way home and she developed a chronic chemical sensitivity syndrome. It changed her life forever to this day. My heart and prayers go out to the ones lost and families who were robbed in many ways. And to the people who helped in the best way they could, I wish I had that courage.
I remember waking up on that Tuesday morning and seeing my mom and brother watching the news with shocked looks in they’re eyes. I asked what they were watching, it took them a moment to reply. Then my mother replied the towers were hit by two planes. I watched as my heart sank. I watched in horror as the first tower fell and then 1 hour later the second. All I can remember saying is, “why is this happining”. I started to pray for all of those people. I will never forget where I was and how I felt that day. All I can say is, “God bless America.”
That Tuesday morning, I was off from work and I was watching Good Morning America with my mom, as she got ready for work. My dad, who’s a firefighter, had just come home from working a 24 hour shift. He was relaxing downstairs, waiting to take mom to work. She is a RN, and she was an administrator at The Brooklyn Hospital when this happened. Well, we were talking and watching, when the first plane hit. At first, we didn’t know it was a plane. The north tower was on fire, we knew something had crashed into it, but not what. Mom called dad upstairs so he could see what was going on. Then we all watched the second plane hit the south tower. Dad’s first words were, “I’m going back to work.” Mom continued to get ready for work; because she knew there would be a lot of injured people coming her way. Her hospital was right over the Brooklyn Bridge. I didn’t want either of them going, because they’re my parents and I want them safe. My brother had just been honorably discharged from the Air Force two weeks prior to the attacks, so I was very happy that he was home. My parents told me why it was important for them to go do what they have to do, and I had to let them go. I did give hugs and kisses, but I had to let them go do their jobs. Dad dropped mom to work, he came back home, and I drove him to the firehouse closest to our house, which was not his regular firehouse. I came back home and watched MSNBC all day, as all the reports came in. I remember watching Ashley Banfield, because she was filming at ground zero. The day was surreal. Cell phone service was going in and out; the landlines were frozen so all of my information came from the TV. I live in Brooklyn, but on a clear day, I could see the towers from the corner of my block. Seeing them on fire wasn’t “real” until I stood on my corner and saw the fire and smoke for myself. That’s when I started crying. I think I cried most of the day. I watched the towers fall, and I cried. My dad didn’t get dispatched to the site until after the towers fell. He called home when they fell so we would know that he was ok, that he was still in Brooklyn, but that he was definitely going to ground zero. My daughter was 3 at the time, and she didn’t understand what had happened. She just knew that my brother and I were sad. She gave plenty of hugs that day to make us feel better. At this point we knew about the Towers, the Pentagon, and the plane crash in PA. (Writing this down is bringing it all back and I’m trying not to cry.) Building 7 is on fire because of the damage from the Towers and it eventually collapses. My brother and I are frantic until dad calls to tell us that he’s ok. Mom stays at work late helping with the injured, and dad gets home at 2 am, September 12. Dad goes back the next day to continue the search for survivors. Eventually, the search isn’t for survivors anymore, and the impact is disheartening.
It took me over a month to go back into Manhattan after September 11. The first time I went back, I had to pass ground zero, and I just started crying all over, as if it happened yesterday. I still get emotional if I have to pass ground zero. I just keep remembering all of the heroes that risked their lives, and all of the people just going to work not knowing that it would be their last day. I used to love watching airplanes take off and land, but that’s now lost to me. I have flown since then, but now I much rather a road trip if I can manage it.
I was blow drying my hair getting ready to go to another regular day of high school, and my mom called me to come look at the TV and I saw where the first plane had flown into the first tower and as we stood there watching we saw the second plane fy into the second tower. I still remember no one really knew what was going on that day, until later when I went to school and all teh events that followed unraveled. I will always remember where I was when this tragedy occurred.
I think the reaon this blog has gotten so many replys is because everyone remembers where they were, eight years ago, on that day. Anyone who was of an age of ability to remember, can probably tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing that day. My children, all grown now, each have their own story of how they felt when it came over the load speaker in their high school.
I live in Upstate NY. Aproximately a 5 hour drive from the “Big Apple”. My sister and I were going for our morning jog. I walked through the path to my sister’s house and that is when it happened. It had just come on the television that a plane had hit one of the world trade center towers. Of course we did not rush out the door for our jog. We continued to watch and when the second plane crashed into the other tower, it literally left us speechless. We did not say anything to each other. I don’t know how long before either of us spoke. When we did speak, it was not about what we had just seen, but who we had to talk to. My sister said, “I have to call Jerry” (her husband). I said, “I’m going to Mom and Dad’s and ran out the door. I ran down the road at full speed to get to my parents house. They were standing in front of the television in disbelief. It is hard to remember what was first said or who said it. I do remember going through a verbal list of friends and relatives we had living in the city. My sister eventually came down to my parents as well. It seemed like time stood still, yet the phone kept ringing and before I knew it there was a lot of company with us.
What started out as a normal day in my small “upstate” community, has forever changed my life and everyone else’s. I remember so well the beautiful blue sky. Such a nice September day. I was on top of the world and living my life. For two months,(maybe more like two and a half) after that day I became very depressed. I sat on my computer and listened to the television constantly. I would watch and listen. Thinking of all the families that were suffering because of lost loved ones. Thinking of all the lives lost, how long were they trapped before they died? Would I have jumped or burned? How do you make a desicsion like that? It was not fair those people had to make such a discision. I didn’t even realize at the time, that it had also, temporarily, taken my life away. I went from the most optimistic, happy person and had been secretly sucked into a life of depression that I had never known before. I went to bed with the WTC and I woke up with the WTC. I would wake some mornings and my first thought would be, maybe it was a dream. Maybe it never really happened. I carried on doing what I had to for my children, but as soon as they were on the school bus, I was back in front of the television. It some how had become my obsession.
Like I said, that lasted a few months and eventually with the help of friends and family, I pulled through and got back to eventully tried a “normal” way of life. But to this day, “normal” is not what it used to be.
September 11, 2001 will be forever scetched in my mind as a day that changed me, many Americans, and forever changed our country.
“God Bless the USA.”
I think the reaon this blog has gotten so many replys is because everyone remembers where they were, eight years ago, on that day. Anyone who was of an age of ability to remember, can probably tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing that day. My children, all grown now, each have their own story of how they felt when it came over the load speaker in their high school.
I live in Upstate NY. Aproximately a 5 hour drive from the “Big Apple”. My sister and I were going for our morning jog. I walked through the path to my sister’s house and that is when it happened. It had just come on the television that a plane had hit one of the world trade center towers. Of course we did not rush out the door for our jog. We continued to watch and when the second plane crashed into the other tower, it literally left us speechless. We did not say anything to each other. I don’t know how long before either of us spoke. When we did speak, it was not about what we had just seen, but who we had to talk to. My sister said, “I have to call Jerry” (her husband). I said, “I’m going to Mom and Dad’s and ran out the door. I ran down the road at full speed to get to my parents house. They were standing in front of the television in disbelief. It is hard to remember what was first said or who said it. I do remember going through a verbal list of friends and relatives we had living in the city. My sister eventually came down to my parents as well. It seemed like time stood still, yet the phone kept ringing and before I knew it there was a lot of company with us.
What started out as a normal day in my small “upstate” community, has forever changed my life and everyone else’s. I remember so well the beautiful blue sky. Such a nice September day. I was on top of the world and living my life. For two months,(maybe more like two and a half) after that day I became very depressed. I sat on my computer and listened to the television constantly. I would watch and listen. Thinking of all the families that were suffering because of lost loved ones. Thinking of all the lives lost, how long were they trapped before they died? Would I have jumped or burned? How do you make a desicsion like that? It was not fair those people had to make such a discision. I didn’t even realize at the time, that it had also, temporarily, taken my life away. I went from the most optimistic, happy person and had been secretly sucked into a life of depression that I had never known before. I went to bed with the WTC and I woke up with the WTC. I would wake some mornings and my first thought would be, maybe it was a dream. Maybe it never really happened. I carried on doing what I had to for my children, but as soon as they were on the school bus, I was back in front of the television. It some how had become my obsession.
Like I said, that lasted a few months and eventually with the help of friends and family, I pulled through and got back to a “normal” way of life. But to this day, “normal” is not what it used to be.
September 11, 2001 will be forever scetched in my mind as a day that changed me, many Americans, and forever changed our country.
“God Bless the USA.”
I had worked 3rd shift so I was in bed sleeping. My brother Robie was living with me at the time and he just started yelling. He came in my bedroom, and told me to get up. As I did I came into the room just in time to see the plane go into the second tower. I just got real sick. I didn’t go back to bed at all. When I got to work that night we all must have watched TV all day because we all looked like hell. Then about a month after that happened the business I worked for told us that we lost a lot of clients that day. You see I worked for Smead MFG. We make folders, expanding wallets etc… When all the bulidings were went down so did they. I lost my job within 5 years. I just hope and pray for the people who were there and breathed in all the bad air don’t get to many health problems. God Bless you all.
On this life changing day I was visiting New York from Jamaica. I can never forget when my husband called me and told me to look out side. I could see the smoke all the way in Brooklyn. When I turned on the television I just cried. After a few days I could not sleep, I did not go anywhere, I just stayed in the house. I had to stop watching the television. A few days later I had a doctor’s appointment in Manhattan, I was a nervous wreck. Not to mention the fact that I would shortly have to get on a plane and go back to Jamaica. I pray we will never have to live through anything like that again.
Paulette
I was in the Philippines when September 11 happened and it was current issue’s all over the world. As I watched the TV, I offered a prayer for all the victims who died and for the peace of the world.
I was working at at nursing care facilty in Illinois at the time. I was setting up the residents for breakfast in the main dining room when a resident who never spoke because of a stroke was pointing at the television and I looked over at the television and I thought I was looking at a television show or a commercial for a movie. It wasn’t really happening for me. I was in total disbelief at the time. I called the over staff over when I saw the second plane crash into the towers. I was in shock. Was this really happening. The other staff was in shock as well. We fed the residents in silence and finished breakfast. The rest of the day was awful. The residents were upset as well. Some of them had family in New York and were asking us questions about how to get a hold of them. We placed calls for them. Some of the staff also had family in New York and was just as worried. I called my husband at home after it happened. I wanted to be sure that my family was okay. It really hit me when the staff and I went outside for some fresh air and didn’t see or hear a airplane in the sky. That’s when I think it sunk in. We were under attack. I had nightmares that week. I kept seeing that aiplane crash into the towers. I cried for days. Even though I didn’t experience anyones lost. I felt the pain and anguish that someone would actully do this to us. The residents talking about it and compared it to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The same feelings were felt. Disbelief and anguish.
I was in my office. One of my co-workers stopped by and told a good joke, and went her way. The phone rung, I answered and it was a dear friend of mine, he said, ” are you looking at TV? I answered and said. “NO, I am not that fortunate to have a TV in my office.” He said, “you are not going to believe this but some idiot has high jack the plane and ran the plane into the twin towers in New York.” I just hung up the phone and ran to the front office, and everyone was watching the NEWS. It was almost unbelieveable. I had mixed emotions. Everyone was kinda quiet with a facial expression of shock.
You could hear people making comments like “The world is coming to an end, You better get your house in order,or Whats coming next?
I must admit, it was a very disturbing day
I was on my way to on 34th st and 7th ave in NY. I remeber I had taken a cab into work because I was running late and I called my co worker Susie to see if she wanted anything for breakfast. She said no she couldn’t talk because a plane had just crashed into the WTC. It didn’t click with me and I just said I’d be there in a few minutes. When I got to the office the magnitude of what had happened struck me. I immediately called my grandmother and let her know I was ok and far from immediate danger. I followed that call with one to my cousin who was supposed to be working security down there. Luckily she had taken the week off for a vacation. I worked for a restaurant that had several stores in the financial district so after assuring my family that I was okay, I got to work making sure that the employees in the stores were ok.
After we got the word it was okay to leave we began the journey home. Buses were jammed packed and since you couldn’t get a cab on a good day there was no way to get one that day. As me and several co workers walked home it was amazing people filled the streets of midtown. You could see the devestation and confusion on people’s faces, but you could also see the resilience. We were NYer’s and we would survive.
On Sept. 11th I was testing students at the Alternative School. I had 2 or three students in a room isolated so they would be able to concentrate, and there would be less distractions. My supervisor came in the room and said Tracy you need to turn the tv on. I looked at him and said “no I don’t think so, I am testing and I am trying to limit the distractions.” He said, “Tracy a plane just hit the World Trade Center”. I looked at him and said, “I really hope that is not a joke”. He said “Tracy I wouldn’t joke about something like that.” I turned on the tv, and I was totally stunned. We watched and then we got word that a plane went down in Shanksville which is literally about a 15 minute drive. We immediately called our supervisor who traveled between schools, and he suggested sending all the students home since we lived in Somerset County where one of the plane crashed. Some of the transporters were able to pick them up, and others we transported ourselves to make sure that they got home safely. It was one of the eeriest days of my life. There were state police officers everywhere, and you didn’t know if your loved one were ok or not because the phone lines were so busy you couldn’t get through. For a project at the school we did several counseling sessions with the students just so they could talk about how they felt, and we also had them do a can food drive. We took all of the students to the drop off site for the food, and when the public was permitted there we took then to see the crash site. It is something I will never forget.