Where were you on 9/11/01, and what were you doing?

Question

I was getting ready for work, here in California, got to work and got sent home for the day. watched this whole thing on T/V while trying to get a hold of my sister in NY (took me 9 hours to get to her) and my brother in law (who works for FDNY) could not speak to him though because he was at ground zero helping.....

I want to wish all my love to you that lost someone on 9/11/01, I did not lose my brother in law but know that alot of people did lose someone and it so so sad, and I am sorry

I am here right now listening to all the names being read....and to all of you I am sorry

Answer 1

I was visiting an Air Force base in New Mexico to do an inspection. I had some close friends who worked at the Pentagon and it took an eternity to find out that they were okay.
Once it was determined that it wasn't an accident and suspected as a terrorist act; the base came alive with emotions, urgency and a new sense of determination that I hadn't seen since Desert Storm. It, indeed, seemed like the proverbial Sleeping Giant was beginning to stir from a long dormant slumber and was getting more and more pissed off!

Flying back to my original base (in a private jet) was the most eerie, because normally you can look out and see other aircraft flying in the sky, but because of the civilian flight termination... there were no other planes visible on the flight home.

Answer 2

I live in India was in Mumbai, India. I was in Junior college. I was still sleepy in the morning, when my father picked up newspaper, stared at it and declared that the Third World War had begun. I glanced over the newspaper, which talked about beginning about the Third World War. Immediately I switched on the TV. When I first saw the video footage of planes crashing in the tower, I thought it was a computer-made animation or something similar. I was just too shocked to see something like this happening. The attacks were the topic of dicussion everywhere.

Most Indians were sympathetic and condemned the attacks. Some also said that USA had caused destruction all over the world (esp. Japan during WWII) and never took Islamic terrorism by Pakistan-based organizations in Kashmir seriously; but now its attitude will change because the destruction has been caused on the American soil for the first time.

Answer 3

My husband (boyfriend at the time) and I were sleeping in his bedroom when his apartment door opened (it was unlocked) and someone we had never met before came in and woke us up. He asked if we had cable, we said no, and he said frantically that a plane crashed into the WTC and left. We lived in an apartment building for artists only and there were some strange people with some stranger "habits" and in our sleepy state we did not think much of the man or his story. We thought it was impossible, and surely he must "be on" something.

It happened to be my husband's first day at a new job, so we got dressed and got in the car so I could drive him to woke. As soon as I turned the key the radio came on and our world changed forever. We heard a report of the crash-at that time still thought to be an accident. We were in shock, wondering how such a thing could have happened. Just then the announcer told us a second plane crashed into the second tower-and we knew what was happening. I spent the rest of the day listening to reports on the radio about the collapse of the towers, and the poor people jumping because they knew they had no way out.

At the time I was grateful not to have cable and have to see what was happening, but I realize now that listening on the radio and letting my mind run wild with the awful descriptions of what was going on did real damage to me. I am deathly afraid of airplanes and tall buildings- which was never a problem before. (I had been to the top of one tower as well as the Empire State, Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, etc. with no issues before the attacks.) I have panic attacks that something awful will happen and kill my family in the same senseless way, and I can't breathe and feel as if my heart will stop beating and not start again.

I am only 25, and think every day about the attacks, and death and about everyone who was just going to work that day-and never made it home. I have a three year old daughter, and I wish we lived in a world where things like this do not happen. I hope something this horrible will never happen again, but reality tells me it's very likely with how our country is hated in the world right now. I don't know what I'll tell her when the time comes and she asks me about 9/11- except that it never should have happened, and it will affect the lives of those who lived it forever. I know it changed mine.

Answer 4

I was climbing Pikes Peak in Colorado. Half of the way up a message came in over the two-way that there had been a serious attack on the WTC in NY - we heard no other details and so we had to finish the climb. While we climbed we knew something was wrong as all we heard for hours on the calm mountain were the sound of fighter pilots taking off from NORAD and the USAF base in Colorado Springs. When we got to the top, hours later, our van was waiting for us and even the driver was crying as he related the details. It wasn't until we made it back to the hotel that we saw first-hand the devastation. I will never forget it.

My 20 yr old brother left yesterday (Alpha Company - 1st LAR - Headqarters Platoon) for Iraq as a LAV driver for the Marine Corps - he will be stationed in the 'wild west' of Iraq. He is my daily reminder that freedom and power come with an awesome amount of responsibility and at a great cost.

Answer 5

Well this is really hard for me, because I was at work. I worked in Alexandria, VA which is maybe 5 blocks from the Pentagon. I heard the boom and seen the big whole the plane left in the Pentagon. When the first plane hit, we didn't know what was happening. We seen the plane coming towards the Pentagon and thought it was going to hit us (that's how close it was), DC went into a state of panic, everyone started to rush I live maybe 15 minutes from my job. It took me 3 hours to get home on the beltway to Maryland. The WW Bridge was at a standstill. It was one of the most terrible things I had to experience. My prays to everyone who lost love ones. A good friend of mine was hit by debris. I feel very sad this day. It was to close. God Bless America

Answer 6

I was working at a preschool in my home town and my boss had sent me to the store for our weekly snack run. When I got back into my car I heard Jon boy and Billy on the radio talking about a plane but didn't pay much attention to what they were saying. I had to make one last stop at Radio shack for some batteries when I saw it on T.V. and asked everyone in the store what was going on. I stood there frozen in shock and wasn't sure what I was watching was real. I remember feeling scared and sad for everyone in there and all the families. The towers had not yet fallen at that time and as I watched the first one fall and that second plane hit the other tower I felt anger and pain. I wanted to cry. I had to get back to work but I was frozen. I finally managed to leave the store and I rushed back to work to tell everyone what I had just seen. None of them believed me until they turned on the radio and listened to the footage. When I got home I turned on the T.V. and just sat in my living room and cried like a baby. It was a very sad day that will stick with me forever.

Answer 7

I was in 4th grade, and I was in math class at my elementry school. The day was a normal day: My teachers lecturing, the recess activities, and everything. We hadnt recieved any information. So then, on the school bus home, me and my friend overheard some talking, but we didnt know what was happening. Then, at home, I learned the news: The planes crashed into the twin towers and the pentagon. At first, me being an idiot 9 year old, wondered what the big deal was if no one died. I was badly scolded and told over 1100 people died in the tower. then, 180 people died in the pentagon. Thats when I realized it was of serious importance.

Answer 8

I was at work at as a CSR for a billing co in Houston, TX, but we billed for a company in PA. It just so happened that I got a call from a client and as we were discussing her bill she dropped the phone and screamed. She picked the phone back up and I just asked her if she was ok, then began to tell me. I in turn told my supv and the word spread. We received only about 23 calls that day as opposed to the 400 on a normal day. As the planes were being grounded and they began to evacuate downtowns of large cities, it looked liked evening rush hour at about 10:30am. It was very eerie. It was the most beautiful day and yet there was nothing in the sky. No planes or helicopters (except HPD) and not even birds. I still didn't get home from wk until about 4:30, and finally got a chance to to see what everybody was talking about. I cried and watched in horror as they play it over and over again.

Sorry y'all I had to share my moment.

Answer 9

I was working at a hospital. A co-worker and I had gone to the break room to get some coffee and the tv was on. We saw the second plane hit. My heart sank. We were all told that we would be receiving the survivors for treatment. Needless to say, none came in and that was as heartbreaking as seeing the plane hit. I still get that same feeling I had that day. I don't think that will ever go away. My heart goes out to all of the families affected.

Answer 10

Well I was in Germany at the time at a place called Tompkins Barracks. It was later in the afternoon there and I was sent home early because to get ready for months and months of Guard duty. The next day I started a 24 on and 24 off duty rotation.