Remembering 9-11

[SpidermanHouston]

Take the time to remember the people that sacrificed and lost their lives four years ago.


http://www.sbac.edu/~tpl/clipart/Maps%20and%20Flags/USA%20Flag.jpg

[boonian androphile]

I remember that day. We were all glued to the television. One horror after another. Then we had wondered if the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania had been diverted over us in northeastern Ohio. I think often about the innocent and the heroic people who died. A day in our history.

[feigenbaum]

I was in school when it happened.Didn't find out about it until the evening.

I'm thinking about all of the people who died and their families.

[LostInWilderness]

We should never forget that day.

[Lostaboutlost]

I really feel like we are living through quite a decade. September 11, war in Iraq, the tsunami and Katrina... Isn't anything really GOOD going to happen?

[Lost In His Eyes]

I remember that I was in school, 2nd hour in 8th grade. My teacher got a message on his computer and stopped teaching and turned on the Tv. We watched the news all hour and I was pissed because some immature jerks were laughing about it!

I was kinda surprised that I didn't really hear anything about 9/11 on the radio or Tv. And there was only a little article on the front page of my paper... You would think that there would be a little more to show respect for those who died on 9/11.

[merry slug]

I knew we were watching our world change. :(

[Mattie]

... Isn't anything really GOOD going to happen?

Not until 2008.

[boonian androphile]

Absolutely right KF2. Let the vote count start now. Everybody needs the practice.

[merry slug]

^:rollin

you're killin' me!!

[Lostaboutlost]

I remember the day really well also.

I was in... a grade that is lower than 8th, and the day had been pretty normal so far. We were in Mrs. LeRoy's class, doing some sort of work. One of our teachers from the year before knocked on the door saying something about a troublesome girl in our class being in the hallway. Mrs. LeRoy went out for a second to talk about it, and then came back like nothing had happened. We were completely unsuspecting.

The day went on. Now, these were just past the days when your mom or dad would come for lunch, so just a few days before I had told my mom that she could stop coming. And then, there she was. I was kinda mad at her. As we walked in to the cafeteria, she chatted with out other teacher, Mr. Desjardins (BEST TEACHER EVER). If you remeber, this was right after there were all those shark attacks, so I thought they were talking about the lastest victim, and my mom even verified that when I asked.

So after lunch, the day continued- none of the teachers mysteriously whispered to each other, acted strange, tried to instill random values on us, or anything. The first time I really noticed something was wrong was when I got off the bus and my mom was waiting for me. I asked her what was up, but she just played it off as wanting to know how my day was.

It was when we got to the house that she confronted me. I was really confused at first, it has always taken me awhile to catch on to things, but my mom made kept me from feeling scared at all, just curious.

We turned on the TV and watched the news for the rest of the night. I called my best friend to see if she new, as she has a babysitter that night, and it turned out she was glued to CNN as well. My dad works for the newspaper, so he didn't come home all night, which was weird. But I really was never horrified, which was really lucky for me.

Some times I go back to my binder and look at the papers dated 9/11. I think one has some math work, another has vocab or something. It's so stange, though. It's like that was a completely different me...

[BubbleBoy13]

Remember this day. When 4 planes crashed into the two World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and in a field located in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Thanks to those on United 93, they stopped the 4th hijacked plane from crashing into the White House or the Capitol Building, and although they died, they died in honor.

God bless those who died, and may we always remember September 11th.

My Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GidqdUGBP8)

[Frecklestoo]

I'll second that Bubble Boy.:Hippy:That's a day few of us will ever forget. I know it's burned into my memory and I will always remember where I was and what I was doing that day. It's a day I wish had never happened.

[Alostcause]

I'll third that

[BujuPhunk]

Oh. BB - I loved the video!! You just have this big ol' heart and I wanna pinch you and squeeze you and hug you to death! Very nice memorial. good job.

[Brian]

I missed this date last year as I was away from the board that week. Thanks BB13.

[VeeAyetheCPA]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/14/14_3_15.gif

[cricer]

I find this to be an excellent picture.
God bless those whose lives were affected by the tragic events which occured on 9/11/01.
http://ogresview.mu.nu/images/liberty.jpg

[Mr. Cluck]

I'll second that Bubble Boy.:Hippy:That's a day few of us will ever forget. I know it's burned into my memory and I will always remember where I was and what I was doing that day.

Yeah... this was the first event that I can say I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when this happened.

I also remember the flood of dedication songs that were constantly played on radio stations throughout the rest of the year. We still hear them on the anniversary.

[TheTempest]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g139/TheTempestPics/WTC20at20Night.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g139/TheTempestPics/z.jpg

All is well...Safely rest. God is nigh.


From "TAPS"


by Major General Daniel Butterfield

[LOST Prodigy of Knowledge]

<<<Always remembers.

[Hurley4Prez]

Great vid BB! I'm currently balancing feelings that range from mourning the tradgedy to despising the way it was co-opted to advance a certain faction's agenda.

I'm doing 15 minutes of meditation before bed (like prayer in western religions) on the fates of those who lost their lives that day. I hope the Bardo was a pleasant experience for them, and it hurts when I consider all of the factors that surround that possibility. I spent the next month after it happened reading the Bardo Thodol for 1 hour a day to the dead victims, and it had an impact on the way I saw the event personally.

(Sorry to get religious on anyone, but this still breaks my heart. Despite the cynical ploys to use this tradgedy by corrupt politicians. I hope we've learned something about... something from this event as a world.)

[Another Time]

9/11 was really bad, but people die every day, most of them innocent. In this country and everywhere else, bad things happen to good people.

Sorry to get religious on anyone
Don't apologize for this.

I hate how people are always backing down and apologizing for having opinions and stating uneasy truths.

[Let's keep politics out of this thread - LIW]

p.s. I will not apologize for turning this thread into my own personal political blog.

[airlybird]

I remember getting up that morning and seeing it on the tv here in the UK, i watched in silence and horror, at the tragic events that were played over and over. September, 11, 2001, a date i will never forget.
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/14/14_3_15.gif
originally posted by cricer :God bless those whose lives were affected by the tragic events which occured on 9/11/01.

This says it all for me!

[Lab]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/lab5d/Animated%20GIFs/nightview.gif




http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/14/14_3_15.gif

[UKLostie]

A day the whole world stood still and watched in horror!

You will always be in our thoughts, and forever in our hearts!
May you rest in peace.

[merry slug]

I was watching a special on it last night (the footage the two french brothers shot if you know what I'm talking about). There's a scene where firefighters are taking temporary shelter /first aid in a deli within the "dust zone," and the shop keepers/shop girls are getting the firemen water and taking care of them, etc... I don't know why but last night that scene affected me the most.

[LostVoyeur]

I remember at the time thinking all I wanted to do was go get my kids from school and hold them close.

Everyone not matter what race or religion were brought together for one common cause. I somehow wish that feeling was continued to this day.

There was such a range of emotions that day. How DARE anyone think that us Americans would wilt and take this !

NEVER FORGET !

sorry for the rambling but there is no flow of words that can "get it".

[Frecklestoo]

Great vid BB! I'm currently balancing feelings that range from mourning the tradgedy to despising the way it was co-opted to advance a certain faction's agenda.

I'm doing 15 minutes of meditation before bed (like prayer in western religions) on the fates of those who lost their lives that day. I hope the Bardo was a pleasant experience for them, and it hurts when I consider all of the factors that surround that possibility. I spent the next month after it happened reading the Bardo Thodol for 1 hour a day to the dead victims, and it had an impact on the way I saw the event personally.

(Sorry to get religious on anyone, but this still breaks my heart. Despite the cynical ploys to use this tradgedy by corrupt politicians. I hope we've learned something about... something from this event as a world.)

You know...you're pretty cool, Hurley4Prez.:)

[LostInWilderness]

Amen.

[sawyerhasbestlines]

I live walking distance from the World Trade Center. When the first plane hit the tower, I thought my building blew up it was so loud. I stood on my roof and watched the bodies fall and the towers crash. This day will always be difficult.

[MATTC]

God bless there souls.

[Wanna-be Buddha]

Great vid BB! I'm currently balancing feelings that range from mourning the tradgedy to despising the way it was co-opted to advance a certain faction's agenda.

I'm doing 15 minutes of meditation before bed (like prayer in western religions) on the fates of those who lost their lives that day. I hope the Bardo was a pleasant experience for them, and it hurts when I consider all of the factors that surround that possibility. I spent the next month after it happened reading the Bardo Thodol for 1 hour a day to the dead victims, and it had an impact on the way I saw the event personally.

(Sorry to get religious on anyone, but this still breaks my heart. Despite the cynical ploys to use this tradgedy by corrupt politicians. I hope we've learned something about... something from this event as a world.)

Well said, Hurley.

[vonnegut]

Keeping out all politics, as we should right now...



Taking a moment to remember, as we should right now.
Despite all that caused it, and all that's happened afterwards.
Let's not make their deaths part of ANYONE'S agenda and give them respect.

[sawyerhasbestlines]

Great vid BB! I'm currently balancing feelings that range from mourning the tradgedy to despising the way it was co-opted to advance a certain faction's agenda.

I'm doing 15 minutes of meditation before bed (like prayer in western religions) on the fates of those who lost their lives that day. I hope the Bardo was a pleasant experience for them, and it hurts when I consider all of the factors that surround that possibility. I spent the next month after it happened reading the Bardo Thodol for 1 hour a day to the dead victims, and it had an impact on the way I saw the event personally.

(Sorry to get religious on anyone, but this still breaks my heart. Despite the cynical ploys to use this tradgedy by corrupt politicians. I hope we've learned something about... something from this event as a world.)


Thank you. Thank you. Thank you x 1000.:Hugglepounce:

[LPU]

Can we please not politicize this particular thread?

[YouFirst]

God bless those who died, their families, America and the rest of the world who united to face this tragedy.

[karate schnitzel]

why do you want to remember a day like that forever?

[LPU]

Why would you possibly want to forget?

[BubbleBoy13]

i was talking about that earlier. why would you want to forget all about a day that affected everyone, INCLUDING you?

to simply put it, you cant. its like a scar. a scar you cant get rid of, so it wont go away. you can try and try and try to lose it, but you cant. so you can go ahead and try to not remember that day, but you cant. and i know we cant. i wouldnt want to forget.

and it bugs me that every year more people let it go. after all those deaths, after all those tense moments, after all the tears, they can just let it go so easily. sure its been 5 years, but its going to take longer.

thanks for the comments on the video...its my first video ive ever made

Bubba

ETA: LPOK, im using you avatar. Ill credit you. :) you too Leuthen, im going to borrow your signature for a little bit.

[karate schnitzel]

remember the people who are gone but screwed up days like that aren't the sorta thing you wanna remember surely?? they just prove humans are bastards.

[LPU]

That day proved a lot of good things about human nature as well.

[BubbleBoy13]

i dont understand what you're saying.

are you saying that even those that died are bastards? i stand firm when i say that no one should forget what happened 5 years ago. and i mean it.

[BubbleBoy13]

That day proved a lot of good things about human nature as well.

exactly! it proved that we can all unite during bad! i read on the internet that a Muslim American family was ashamed of those who did that. they said they defaced their religion.

it proved that no matter the race we can unite and help each other.

ETA: sorry for the double post.

[merry slug]

That day proved a lot of good things about human nature as well.

:yeah:

Which is probably why
I was watching a special on it last night (the footage the two french brothers shot if you know what I'm talking about). There's a scene where firefighters are taking temporary shelter /first aid in a deli within the "dust zone," and the shop keepers/shop girls are getting the firemen water and taking care of them, etc... I don't know why but last night that scene affected me the most.


ETA: Okay, so I quoted myself. It's a Monday, dangit.

[karate schnitzel]

i think the people who are gone and missed should be remembered but not events like that. we should be ashamed of them. people did unite to grieve but i think the fact people can do such terrible things like that to fellow human beings overshadows everything else on that day.

[BubbleBoy13]

I watched that too Merry. that was one of the only times ive heard them say the F word without bleeping it out on the Air.

[merry slug]

I watched that too Merry. that was one of the only times ive heard them say the F word without bleeping it out on the Air.


I noticed that too. I was thinking about mentioning it in the "Should some TV shows be censored" poll (as a "No, it needs to be left as-is IMO"), but I think they've gone off-topic in there now.

[BubbleBoy13]

i think the people who are gone and missed should be remembered but not events like that. we should be ashamed of them. people did unite to grieve but i think the fact people can do such terrible things like that to fellow human beings overshadows everything else on that day.

we should be ashamed of the people that died? are you meaning the terrorists or the innocent people? how are we going to remember them if we dont remember events like 9.11? again i dont understand what your saying. do you mean that whats past is past, whats done is done? do you mean that we should forget about it because it is too horrible to remember? what would the people that die do? would they remember it if it wasnt them but someone?

[ILoveEko]

i think the people who are gone and missed should be remembered but not events like that. we should be ashamed of them. people did unite to grieve but i think the fact people can do such terrible things like that to fellow human beings overshadows everything else on that day.The 'event' is not overshadowing the lives lost. The 'event' caused those lives to be lost, so obviously it's something that will be discussed again. But either way, today is about remembering and honoring the lives lost and while doing so, the incident will also be in everyone's mind.

[BubbleBoy13]

like i said, you cant forget something that affected everyone. including you.

[Subject # 4815162342]

remember the people who are gone but screwed up days like that aren't the sorta thing you wanna remember surely?? they just prove humans are bastards.

Dude....what you are doing is comparative to walking into a funeral and staring down all the loved ones and shouting

"Death sucks---we should all forget about this as soon as possible!"

Can you not see that?

[merry slug]

It's been 5 years and we're still pretty emotional about it. Events like Hiroshima or Pearl Harbor are inherently emotional. Still I can look at them somewhat more objectively than my parents can because I didn't live through them. With the vantage point of time perhaps our pain will ease, but we wont forget. The next generations will remember the way we remember those events of our fathers.

Maybe the next people who are put in a position to make something like this happen or not happen will think twice before deciding.

[karate schnitzel]

geez lisnen to what i'm saying

we should remember the innocent people that are gone.

however we shouldn't IMO remember DAYS (not people) like 9/11 because they show how terrible humans CAN be.

i don't mean what's past is past, i mean we shouldn't hold EVENTS (ones that cause countless deaths) in our hearts, but rather the people we miss because of those events.

we should be ashamed of the people that died? are you meaning the terrorists or the innocent people?

i said the EVENTS. we should be ashamed of the EVENTS like those. why the hell would i say we should be ashamed of the people that died?? thats (< snip for language > - juanbong) heartless.

i wish i had steered clear of this thread now.




(I understand we all have views on this subject, and emotions run high. Please leave the language off this topic, and the board. PG-13 - juanbong)

[BubbleBoy13]

not to be mean, but pick your words correctly next time. 9.11.01 is a day we need to remember. we need to remember it because if we dont, we'll be unaware the next time it happens. and it will happen again. so we learn from our mistakes.

[karate schnitzel]

Dude....what you are doing is comparative to walking into a funeral and staring down all the loved ones and shouting

"Death sucks---we should all forget about this as soon as possible!"

Can you not see that?

no "dude" i'ts not. i said we should remember the people just not the events that caused their deaths.

[BubbleBoy13]

how are we going to do that!? we cant just remember a person and not remember how they died!!

[Subject # 4815162342]

1.-Get a clue---nobodies holding reverence of a square on a calendar....of COURSE we're all talking about never forgetting the PEOPLE lost in this EVENT.

2.watch your language,there are children present.

3. i wish i had steered clear of this thread now.....yeah.

Look.
I think it's common sense that if you stumble across a group who is grieving and paying respects,it is SERIOUS BAD FORM to walk in and interject ANYTHING that is contrary to the emotion involved....or to choose your words poorly enough that people have reason think you are in some form of disagreement with their grief......Think first,then speak.

[karate schnitzel]

not to be mean, but pick your words correctly next time. 9.11.01 is a day we need to remember. we need to remember it because if we dont, we'll be unaware the next time it happens. and it will happen again. so we learn from our mistakes.

it shouldn't happen again thats for sure.

also, try picking your words correctly next time; you say "our mistakes", [I said no politicizing, and I meant it - LIW]

[merry slug]

it shouldn't happen again thats for sure.

also, try picking your words correctly next time; you say "our mistakes", i think you meant (No politicizing, please - juanbong) .


Gee, I was sympathetic to you somewhat up to this point -- I didn't think you really meant to be a jerk. Guess I was wrong.

[ILoveEko]

also, try picking your words correctly next time; [snip - LIW]What is one countries "mistake" one time, can be another's "mistake" the next time. This event changed things for everyone, not just Americans.

[BubbleBoy13]

our mistakes. just get out of this thread, please. we mourn, you inject hurtful thoughts. just get out.

[sawyerhasbestlines]

Some of you are saying not to politicize this thread. The reality is, the event is and was political. Acknowleging that does not dishonor the intentions of this thread, but gives it depth.

I live in lower Manhattan and what I can contribute to this thread is the voice of someone who directly lives the after effects everyday. For example, one and a half blocks away from me, (my local firehouse) George Bush went to visit there today. They lost 3/4 of their men, and their fire truck. Manhattan was promised federal funding. They wanted to meet with him to get the federal funding they were promised but never received. For the president it was a PR moment. For the firemen it was a begging for federal funding they desperately deserve. Instead a little town in the mid west who has never been a target for terrorism got the money Manhattan was promised. In addition to that, thousands of workers who cleaned up ground zero are dying of lung problems and the government isn't dealing with it. Funding and compensation for the living but severely injured people firemen and police (in the thousands are being ignored.) That is political. Everyday waking up with the news telling you the city is in orange alert as you are about to get on a subway is political maneuver to keep people in fear. The more people are kept in fear, the more we will support the funding for war. It's an old tactic, McCarthy beat the same drum to make people fear communism, Nero did it while Rome burned to legitimize moving the Roman army deeper into Europe. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 but that is where we ended up at. If you want to ignore that it is political, that is your perogotive, but it's the cycle of ancient history repeating itself again, while the living souls who were effected are lost in the sidelines.

But I'd rather have this thread contain the multiple expressions and facets of truth to really give honor to the families who are still dealing with their dead ones, the families that are living with their sick husbands who are dying of resperatory diseases, my next door neighbor an AP photographer who nearly died dodging falling bodies. And to those of us who live daily with PTSD because of what happened 5 years ago.

I'm glad what H4p wrote. For people like me who live here, and would like nothing better than the news to shut up and quit exploiting the event, H4p's words are healing and it's very very appreciated. If what I have to say is not PC for the thread, then a mod can erase it, or if its simply uncomfortable, just pull down the cone of silence and return to the happy bubble. Tomorrow will be a new day.

What I wrote is not political, but a factual historical description of what people who were effected by 9/11 are still dealing with. It's the living who still struggling with the after effects who should also not be forgotton

[LostInWilderness]

This is a supremely emotional day in history, so let's keep it about honoring the memory. If you want to discuss the politics of 9/11, take it to another board.

[Subject # 4815162342]

I have so many more points I could make to argue with you,Karate,but this is not the place.I kinda regret even countering your stupid point in the first place.....again,like brawling at a funeral.....stupid....stupid to even allow yourself to rile up peoples anger......and it makes me feel stupid for even contributing to your conversation.....if you wanna insist on continuing this ugliness,take it to the Personal Message realm....I can get plenty ugly behind closed doors,but this is not the forum---pun intended.

This is my final post in this thread for this reason----and I'm sorry I even allowed myself to take it this far----


Please,continue this homage to those lost on that tragic day.

[BubbleBoy13]

[snip - LIW]

i respect your post. but lets ignore politics right now.

Bubba. :)

[BubbleBoy13]

Subject, dont leave cuz of Karate.

[snip - LIW] a mod will take care of it.







i eat noobs for breakfast. :)

[Subject # 4815162342]

I gotta admit,tho,when I first saw this thread,my initial response was to post:

"Okay,you got your worms.....can I have my can opener back"?

[BubbleBoy13]

Well, i just hope no one forgets about that day. its hard to go a year not thinking about it once. i know i cant do it, and i find it hard other people can.

[azteclady]

(snip) however we shouldn't IMO remember DAYS (not people) like 9/11 because they show how terrible humans CAN be. (snip) Pardon me, but that is equivalent to saying not to go to mass on the anniversary of my grandmother's death. She died on a specific day, and while I remember her every single day, I also honor her by marking the yearly anniversaries of her death.

As far as how events like the terrible attacks of September 11, 2001 show the worst of humanity and that being a reason to forget them... Please forgive me, but that is utterly illogical. All of humanity must remember what hatred can do, so that we can try to avoid further repetitions.

i said the EVENTS. we should be ashamed of the EVENTS like those. why the hell would i say we should be ashamed of the people that died?? thats *snipping for language* heartless.

i wish i had steered clear of this thread now.At the moment I am posting, your language violates the rules of the board--and I don't have to be a moderator to see that.

[Frecklestoo]

Sometimes people want to forget events because they can't deal with the emotions of it. I think Karate was saying that it was a horribly sad day and to relive it year after year means we aren't moving on. I do completely disagree with him/her, however, because it's when we forget these events that they are more likely to happen again. Those people who died deserve to be remembered every year, and the events SHOULD be remembered so that "we" never let something like that happen again. We ARE moving on...hopefully in a safer society, and in a society that has come together in peace and acceptance.:Hippy:

[merry slug]

Pardon me, but that is equivalent to saying not to go to mass on the anniversary of my grandmother's death. She died on a specific day, and while I remember her every single day, I also honor her by marking the yearly anniversaries of her death.

As far as how events like the terrible attacks of September 11, 2001 show the worst of humanity and that being a reason to forget them... Please forgive me, but that is utterly illogical. All of humanity must remember what hatred can do, so that we can try to avoid further repetitions.

At the moment I am posting, your language violates the rules of the board--and I don't have to be a moderator to see that.


Az - you are always so eloquent - even when putting someone in their place ;) -- ever the lady!

[Subject # 4815162342]

Those who FORGET History are DOOMED to REPEAT it.

[sawyerhasbestlines]

[snip - LIW]

i respect your post. but lets ignore politics right now.

Bubba. :)

You are misunderstanding my post. The title of this thread is "Always Remember" My point is that there are living people who also should not be forgotton: specifically the injured firefighters, and police men, their family members, and the people who are traumatized every day by the never ending message that NY will be targeted again. If we forget, it will happen again.

[juanbong]

*Ahem*

I know that we all have an opinion on what transpired on this date 5 years ago, and I am taking nothing away from each individual who is posting in this thread. This thread deserves to be here for the sake of sanity, good will, and acknowledgement that this day did occur. However, some of you may notice that we are snipping the language and trying to take out the heavily politicized nature of this thread. Please, keep this thread to the nature of the view. If you want to voice your opinions, please do it elsewhere.

Thank you,

- juanbong

[azteclady]

why do you want to remember a day like that forever?To try and avoid repating it, as Subject # 4815162342 so eloquently put it.remember the people who are gone but screwed up days like that aren't the sorta thing you wanna remember surely?? they just prove humans are bastards.Tragedies involving the deaths of thousands of people can also highlight the best in those who react to them--the selflessness and devotion of the first responders who died trying to rescue people at TWC, and of those who for hours, days, weeks, months, years, have helped the victims (both direct and indirect) deal with it.i think the people who are gone and missed should be remembered but not events like that. we should be ashamed of them. people did unite to grieve but i think the fact people can do such terrible things like that to fellow human beings overshadows everything else on that day.Should we--all human beings--be ashamed of the hatred fueled actions of groups of fanatics and zealots all over the world, all through history? Most certainly. Should we forget the things those fanatics and zealots did, sweep it under the rug, and change history to reflect only the best of humanity? That would be akin to covering a festering wound in hopes that, by ignoring its existence, it will fade into nothingness. Neither will happen--but gangrene very well might.Az - you are always so eloquent - even when putting someone in their place ;) -- ever the lady!Thank you.

Frecklestoo--I do understand where karate schintzel is coming from, believe it or not. However, I disagree, intensely and passionately with him/her, because forgetting or rewriting history to suit a rose-colored-glass vision hasn't helped humanity yet.

[BubbleBoy13]

Wait, what did i say that got snipped?

Oh, and i know to keep politics out of this.

and Sawyer, thats what i mean by the title of this thread. its not just applying to what happened that day, it applies to everything about it.

[sawyerhasbestlines]

"If we do not take into account: the lives of the living along with the dead, the event loses all symbolic dimension; it becomes a purely arbitrary act."

not my words or opinion

[BubbleBoy13]

do you know what i said that got snipped after you posted that long politicial post?

[sawyerhasbestlines]

no I don't, and my post is not political. It's a historical description of how 9/11 has effected the heros who cleaned out the pit and got sick, and why New Yorkers honor them along with the dead. Here's a poem written by one of the survivors.

The siren sounded, They took the call
They seemed to show no fear at all
Danger came, They gave no slack
They stood together, Back to Back
Always thought that they could win
Victims rushed out, They rushed in
FDNY, NYPD, Heroes All
They are to me.

[azteclady]

shbl's post (http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=954101&postcount=52) is not political--if my opinion counts for anything.

She is one of the millions of people most directly affected by the attacks on TWC. She lived there at the time, she was there that morning, she's still there, and still dealing with its aftermath.

[Subject # 4815162342]

For what it's worth......I just started a different 9-11 thread......hope this helps things rather than making things worse.

http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=954304#post954304

[BubbleBoy13]

oh well....past stuff.

it just bugs me that people think its ok to forget about it so soon. but its not.

[azteclady]

BubbleBoy13, most of us agree: never forget.

[sawyerhasbestlines]

Thank you AZ. :Hugglepounce:

I know I'm a little raw and intense today. Everyone here is walking around with glazed eyes and a little zombie-like.

[cricer]

Just reading through posts, I was actually quite surpised that people are so highly opinionated on the events that occured 5 years ago. This day, 5 years ago should no involve politics, opinions, debates, or otherwise arguing. It should be remembered, remembering the lives that were affected. The lives, not the economy. There are many things that are valuable in life, or important. Money, politics, religion, but when it comes down to it all the most important aspect of life, is life itself. The human body, and that is what should be remembered, the lives that were lost. Because without people we wouldn't have a society, people are the structure of our society. So just take time to forget about politics, economy, and religion for a second. Stop being so damn stubborn, and just remember the lives that were lost, and the families that were affected.
Cricer

[cricer]

BubbleBoy13, most of us agree: never forget.
Just like the elephant :D

[CENSORED]

Please, don't forget...
I never will.

If you have any thought, poem, prayer, or anything in your heart reguarding the day our world seemed to stand still, feel free to post it here.

My heart still cries for all who were involved....ALL.

Peace..


(Merging due to having a thread already. No disrepect. Please feel free to include what CENSORED wrote above. Encouraged, actually. - juanbong)

[sawyerhasbestlines]

oops double post,

time for some New Orleans style mourning.

[foxxie]

I'm just going to remember........

My husband's uncle worked in Tower 1. He was sick with the flu that day. I remember my mother-in-law calling and crying because she couldn't get ahold of him. He lost nearly all his co-workers and has never been the same.

My brother, father, and uncle are firefighters. My brother and uncle were in New York to assist with the clean up for a month. My brother called me crying about how heart-breaking it was. He has never been the same.

My company sent us all home that morning, as did my husbands. We spent the rest of day in bed with the TV on. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen. I'm not sure I have ever been the same.

[Frecklestoo]

Frecklestoo--I do understand where karate schintzel is coming from, believe it or not. However, I disagree, intensely and passionately with him/her, because forgetting or rewriting history to suit a rose-colored-glass vision hasn't helped humanity yet.

I'm glad we agree!:)

ETA: Fozzie...I don't think ANY of us will ever be the same. I live in CT and my sister-in-law's brother-in-law hid in his basement on Canal Street for a week because he didn't know if we were at war or what had happened. His wife and daughter didn't know if he was dead or alive. My SIL's sister swam every morning in the gym at the WTC, but didn't go that morning so she could walk her daughter to her new school. Fate acted in many ways that morning...some in a good way and some in a bad way. I'll NEVER forget that day...ever.

[cricer]

I'm just going to remember........

My husband's uncle worked in Tower 1. He was sick with the flu that day. I remember my mother-in-law calling and crying because she couldn't get ahold of him. He lost nearly all his co-workers and has never been the same.

My brother, father, and uncle are firefighters. My brother and uncle were in New York to assist with the clean up for a month. My brother called me crying about how heart-breaking it was. He has never been the same.

My company sent us all home that morning, as did my husbands. We spent the rest of day in bed with the TV on. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen. I'm not sure I have ever been the same.
Thats so horrible. Although I do not directly know anybody who died or their familys, I watch ever documentary on them, and my heart goes out to each and every one of their families. I also didn't realize an astonishing 16 people died from the collapse of the towers.

[CENSORED]

(Merging due to having a thread already. No disrepect. Please feel free to include what CENSORED wrote above. Encouraged, actually. - juanbong)

Sorry Juan. I didn't even bother to look first. I just wanted to come here and let this out. Unfortunatly, due to complaints from customers, my company isn't allowing american flags to go up or anything that shows patriotism.

It hurts me to think people have forgotten what happened that day and would rather complain about it. I feel that those that died have been forgotten and disrespected. I feel some have forgotten...

I appologize for starting a new thread.

Peace...

[I Like Freckles]

Just reading through posts, I was actually quite surpised that people are so highly opinionated on the events that occured 5 years ago. This day, 5 years ago should no involve politics, opinions, debates, or otherwise arguing. It should be remembered, remembering the lives that were affected. The lives, not the economy. There are many things that are valuable in life, or important. Money, politics, religion, but when it comes down to it all the most important aspect of life, is life itself. The human body, and that is what should be remembered, the lives that were lost. Because without people we wouldn't have a society, people are the structure of our society. So just take time to forget about politics, economy, and religion for a second. Stop being so damn stubborn, and just remember the lives that were lost, and the families that were affected.
Cricer

I'm right with you Cricer, but like SHBL, my gripes are with those who have used the tragedy to further agendas that never quite seem to jive with honoring the memories of the thousands who gave their lives and the countless others who are still suffering for having answered the call on that day and since.

Never forget the day or those who perished at the hands of evil. Always remain vigilant against those who would try to repeat this kind of attack.

[juanbong]

Quoted by CENSORED:
I appologize for starting a new thread.

No apology needed, my friend.

[boonian androphile]

Without becoming (too) political, I agree with all that sawyerhasbestlines wrote. I appreciate that the entirety of what she stated has been left in tact. I have been to NYC once years after 9/11, where I had the honor of meeting sawyerhasbestlines. We talked about LOST mostly, not 9/11. I dont live in NYC, but I couldnt even walk the few blocks in the direction of the world trade center area. Instead I walked everywhere else, including across the Brooklyn Bridge, my favorite manmade structure in America. I felt privileged enough to stand on it and see in the distance one of the great symbols of America, the Statue of Liberty. That was the best I could do.

Today, on the last leg of a long trip, I drove from State College Penn to Canton Ohio, where I live. I considered once or twice driving to southwestern Pennsylvania, where of course one of the four planes went down. I am afraid that it was unsettling enough just to drive west on what could have been the actual route of flight 93 before it was forced to change course. Another time perhaps.

Today seems the best, but not the only, day to remember the thousands of people who tragically died. They were many from all walks of life, some whom we may have known by name if we happened to follow politics or show-business. Others we came to know through their heroism or through their families who rightfully publically grieved for their loved ones. There is one political figure, whom of course I dont know personally, and with whom I probably wouldnt agree about much, but when I see that person on tv, I draw in my breath a little deeper. There was no need for that, or for any other, loss to have occurred.

[CENSORED]

If anyone wants to see a video memorial that is based on faith, please visit this link:

http://www.wuzupgod.com/sept11/sept11_memorial_worldwide.html

I repeat, it is based on faith. I mean no one disrespect if they believe not the same way.

Peace....

[Brian]

I'll put the same warning here, for sake of continuity, as I did in the other 9/11 thread here in Lostaways. As in that thread, I'm not singling anyone out at all. DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A POLITICAL DISCUSSION THREAD. There are literally thousands of places on the Internet to debate politics and how they relate to what transpired 5 years ago today. However, this place isn't one of them. Please keep that in mind.

Thank you.

[LostVoyeur]

Dear human beings that took away our towers,

We as Americans are standing tall to tell you that we have not forgotten what you did. You may have temporarily stopped us in our tracks and bruised the feathers of this great and powerful eagle. But, you did not realize that by doing this you have created a stronger union between our people. Us Americans will not stand alone in our mourning nor in our fight. This country was shaken but not broken and the wounds are healing stronger ! If all the people in this country needed to hold hands along our borders to protect our land, it will be done and not questioned. You will not break our spirit, because we never forget !

-American Citizens

[BubbleBoy13]

We should have a type of memorial service in the chat room at 8 est.

[imjusthatawsum]

I'm there Bubba. (8 EST)

[BubbleBoy13]

tell the world. :)

[imjusthatawsum]

Sorry, I cant come!!! I forgot!!! I have to go to my grandma's b/c my Aunt is leaving early tomorrow morning! I might be back on time, maybe not. Just go along with BubbleBoy if I dont make it.

[BubbleBoy13]

alright. ill do it.

[JacksGirlfriend]

I'm glad everyone has had a chance to express their emotions in here and I'm also glad to see there have been minimal "attacks" against entities, countries or individuals.

At this point, it isn't about blame. There's nothing any of us as people can really do to erase the horror and nothing we can do to erase the emotions we all feel on this day. Today is about remembering and pledging that we will do our best to not allow something like this to happen in the future. If we all do that, we can make a difference.

Keeping out all politics, as we should right now...

Vonnegut - I believe this is what we should do. No one truly knows the mindset of another and if we try to understand we are are doomed to fail. We all have preconceptions and our misunderstandings of another's theology will only lead to bigotry and prejudice. We don't need that now. We need understanding.

Boonian - I wanted to say I've been past the Flight 93 site several times since 9/11. I can't bring myself to go there either. Maybe some day... but not yet. I grew up near there and the idea that something that horrendous yet heroic and truly inspirational happened there is almost too much to think about. I consider those people my heroes now. I often think "if I'm ever in a position like that, please let me have that kind of strength and courage." I'm not sure I will, but I hope I do.

And SHBL - there is nothing at all wrong with anything you have said.

[LostInWilderness]

no I don't, and my post is not political. It's a historical description of how 9/11 has effected the heros who cleaned out the pit and got sick, and why New Yorkers honor them along with the dead. Here's a poem written by one of the survivors.

The siren sounded, They took the call
They seemed to show no fear at all
Danger came, They gave no slack
They stood together, Back to Back
Always thought that they could win
Victims rushed out, They rushed in
FDNY, NYPD, Heroes All
They are to me.
I agree it was not political, but an important perspective on how 9/11 still affects people today. I've edited many comments, but not that one.

[LostInWilderness]

oops double post,

time for some New Orleans style mourning.
JG and I are with you on that.

[Brian]

Thanks BB13.

[BubbleBoy13]

nothing is exactly political in this thread if you think about it. political involvement would be to start talking about the presidents part of 9.11 and what(if anything) he did wrong about it.

i truly thank all of the people who came tonight in the chat room. i think it turned out well. :)

[Brian]

Yes it did. Great job.

[LostInWilderness]

You did a great job leading the silence, BB. Thanks.

[Master Xander]

This is definitely one of those where I simply cannot forgot where I was and what I was doing when it happened. I can honestly answer the question "Where were you during 9/11?" because I still remember it clearly.

I'd just come home from my friend's mom's birthday celebration at Burger King (don't ask), and I was flipping the channels. I had to do a double-take when I saw the footage of the towers on CNN; I wasn't sure I was on CNN, and it took me a couple of seconds to realize this wasn't a movie, this was really happening. I txt messaged my friends to watch TV, knowing this was big. Everyone was simply stunned.

I may live halfway around the world, and I may not have had any personal stake in the event (I didn't know anyone who was in the vicinity at the time), but the event still affects me. It's still intensely emotional for me to watch any footage of the planes hitting the towers.

It's hard to explain why it still strikes an emotional chord. But it does.

[gertie]

Hey, Bubb,

I am so proud of you. Thank you for that very touching moment in chat.

gertie

[sawyerhasbestlines]

It was weird for those of us who lived down town, because we *used* to get our TV reception from the antenane on the towers. So even though we lived the closest, we had no idea what was going on. TV didn't work for a few days. Phones didn't work. The next day, the military guys with machine guns came in, and trapped all of us in our neighborhoods for several days. It's like we were jailed in our homes and cut off from the world. We could walk a 4 block radius, with no grocery stores to get to, unable to get to work, ATM machines didn't work, etc. All with no TV working to inform us. People across the world and as close as Brooklyn knew more of what was going on than we did.

While the military kept us trapped in the neighborhood there was a giant dust ball in the air. It was difficult to see and breathe; we wondered if it was toxic warfare, we didn't know if more planes were coming, we didn't know if this was happening everywhere.

[LostInWilderness]

I may live halfway around the world, and I may not have had any personal stake in the event (I didn't know anyone who was in the vicinity at the time), but the event still affects me.
And that, my friend, is the most important thing. It was an attack on you, yours and civilization as much as it was an attack on me, mine, and America.

[sunnyskies]

It was weird for those of us who lived down town, because we *used* to get our TV reception from the antenane on the towers. So even though we lived the closest, we had no idea what was going on. TV didn't work for a few days. Phones didn't work. The next day, the military guys with machine guns came in, and trapped all of us in our neighborhoods for several days. It's like we were jailed in our homes and cut off from the world. We could walk a 4 block radius, with no grocery stores to get to, unable to get to work, ATM machines didn't work, etc. All with no TV working to inform us. People across the world and as close as Brooklyn knew more of what was going on than we did.

While the military kept us trapped in the neighborhood there was a giant dust ball in the air. It was difficult to see and breathe; we wondered if it was toxic warfare, we didn't know if more planes were coming, we didn't know if this was happening everywhere.

You truly lived through a nightmare. I was a thousand miles away holding my infant boy close to my heart - crying. I can't even begin to put myself in your shoes. I remember.

[vonnegut]

I was 17. I was out of school, and was working nights, so I was at home watching CNN that morning.

I remember when they came on air with the story, that the first plane had hit, and then watching as the second plane hit. I remember when they stopped filming live, when you could see people jumping from the top stories.

How horrifying. How insane. I think we always thought that we were immune from this type of thing happening. Stunned-- that's the word that comes to mind. That it could happen to US.

All political whatever aside... I just remember how scared we were. My friend Carla had to drive to her sister's house in Gloucester (about half-hour away) for something, I can't remember what... I rode with her, the whole way down the road, no one was out, it was so quiet. Businesses were closed. One business had a sign out front that said "God Save Us." I remember that.

I didn't cry, until, oddly enough, the night Jon Stewart came back on air for the first time.
I found that show on YouTube, and I'm going to post it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfO-Z1CuJ6w

It's worth a watch.

[CENSORED]

I didn't cry, until, oddly enough, the night Jon Stewart came back on air for the first time.
Many people have told me they cried during a certain scene or picture on TV.

Yet for me I cried when I finally turned the TV off...
The picture of the towers wouldn't get out off my head...
That's when I knew it was real.

I probably cried the hardest though when I saw the firefighters hoist the american flag above the rubble...
http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f141/knclounder1/September%2011th/th_firemen-01.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f141/knclounder1/September%2011th/?action=view&current=firemen-01.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1)
All I remember is that I ran out off tears

God bless America

Peace...

[LOST Prodigy of Knowledge]

Hey BB, nice Av. ;)

I wonder who made it...

[merry slug]

no I don't, and my post is not political. It's a historical description of how 9/11 has effected the heros who cleaned out the pit and got sick, and why New Yorkers honor them along with the dead.

Not just New Yorkers.

[sawyerhasbestlines]

Not just New Yorkers.
^^^ Absolutely.

When I say New Yorkers, I'm referring to the 40,000 volunteers who cleaned out the pile: the fire fighters, cops, etc. Most live here, but a lot of volunteers came here from others states and countries that got sick also. A lot survived, but many are starting to die now. They live in their homes unable to work while plugged into a machine to give them air. The healthier ones have little black tumors in their lungs or have gotten cancer and emphasima. Only a few have the money to hire lawyers to prove the little black tumors are from breathing ground zero, but most are just sick and dying from the unknown disease. Every week one of their personal stories is featured in the newspaper. The mayor says it will take 15 years of research to decide if what they are all dying of was from breathing the air of ground zero. By then it will be too late. It reminds me of gulf war syndrome when nobody took accountabitlity for the health of soldiers who risked their lives for us.

From a volunteer firefighter of Westchester county: "Rescue workers had difficulty breathing soon after arriving at Ground Zero, said Forras. So, he said, "they juiced us up with all kinds of Albuterol and various medications to keep us breathing." This allowed rescue workers to continue working on the pile, where they filled their lungs with lead, mercury, asbestos, and pulverized cement and glass.

When Forras breathes now, he feels like he is "drowning in air."

But you are right "not just new yorkers" there were also undocumented workers. Hundreds of them, nameless that died, they cleaned the buildings at night, cooked food in the restaurants and cleaned the toilets and 3:00 am. Their names aren't read on TV, but they are dead and nobody remembers them or their names.

Every week in front of ground zero there are protests by people from around the world: China, Central America, SoutEast Asia, protesting because they were hired to clean up the the toxic debris surrounding ground zero over the last 5 years. They are low wage folks who did the dirty work nobody else was willing to do. They weren't provided with masks, and they are sick.

http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Health/20060130/9/1742

[BubbleBoy13]

thanks LPOK, i was using it for yesterday. :)

[CLUCK]

Remembering 9/11

The day the world stopped turning.

All Eyes were on those 2 buildings that sadly, our children will only know from pictures.
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:3_sXqpT0oV7--M:jerz.setonhill.edu/images/towers__9-9-01.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://jerz.setonhill.edu/images/towers__9-9-01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://jerz.setonhill.edu/design/WTC/index.html&h=326&w=312&sz=66&tbnid=3_sXqpT0oV7--M:&tbnh=138&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dworld%2Btrade%2Bcenter%26um%3D1&start=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=1)



September 11, 2001 was a very emotional day for all Americans, and foreigners alike. I personally will never forget the events that day. At the time I worked for WTIC radio in Hartford, CT... only 90 miles from Manhattan. We were able to see the smoke plumes from atop the Gold Building downtown. One of our reporters was stuck on the George Washington Bridge. My best friend lived a mere 22 blocks from downtown Manhattan.

That day, I worked from 7:45 am untill 5am the next morning. At 3am when the NY Times was delivered, I went out front to pick it up. The headline read "America Under Attack" with this picture under it:

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:HyfsfCUmu2xuEM:http://www.stmarystoday.com/attack.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stmarystoday.com/attack.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stmarystoday.com/august_2005_news.htm&h=508&w=328&sz=53&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=HyfsfCUmu2xuEM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=85&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dworld%2Btrade%2Bcenter%2Bny%2Bdaily%2 Bnews%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den)
It was one of the most emotional moments in my life. By 4am, there were other people to take my place so i could rest for a bit. I could not sleep, so I spent some time expressing my anger/grief/upset/love for humanity in the form I work with best. Music.

I spent the next hour coming up with these:

Timeline of the events of 9/11, set to the music of Sara Mcloughin - Angel
http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Angel

Tribute to the heros of United Flight 93, set to the music of Bette Middler - Wind Beneath My Wings
http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Wind-Beneath-My-Wings

Tribute to President Bush and NYC Mayor Rudy Gulianni, set to the music of Foo Fighters - Hero
http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Hero




As I type this, Americans and New Yorkers go on with life, never forgetting what has happened. Also as I type this, construction is happening at the former site of The World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, eventaully giving birth to The Freedom Tower.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:dcUiudK3MWK3qM:http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/freedom%2520tower%25202.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/freedom%2520tower%25202.jpg&imgrefurl=http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/new%2520buildings.html&h=450&w=417&sz=49&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=dcUiudK3MWK3qM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfreedom%2Btower%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D1 0%26hl%3Den)http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:6axD19dU8FyOcM:http://www.linternaute.com/imprimer/savoir/grands-chantiers/tours-du-monde/images/freedom-tower.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.linternaute.com/imprimer/savoir/grands-chantiers/tours-du-monde/images/freedom-tower.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.linternaute.com/imprimer/savoir/grands-chantiers/tours-du-monde/freedom-tower.shtml&h=380&w=280&sz=22&hl=en&start=11&tbnid=6axD19dU8FyOcM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfreedom%2Btower%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D1 0%26hl%3Den)http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:TiOPShFFn09MYM:http://www.tropolism.com/07wtc2.l.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tropolism.com/07wtc2.l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tropolism.com/2006/09/wtc_small_towers_unveiled.php&h=450&w=351&sz=46&hl=en&start=13&tbnid=TiOPShFFn09MYM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=99&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfreedom%2Btower%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D1 0%26hl%3Den)
Please share your stories, as well as prayers for the victims and their families.


GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

[Darkshines]

Living in the UK, this event affected me in a completely different way. I had had a very vivid nightmare some ten days before 9/11, about clouds of grey dust, and gas masks, and many people dying. I woke up sobbing, and for days was convinced the world was going to end. After school one day, a friend of mine came running out of his house saying "they bombed the Pentagon!". The next few hours were a blur of news reports, ringing relatives, and the like. I became paranoid, terrified that where ever I went I would never be safe. I wept and cowered everytime a plane went over heard. Started reading eveyday signs and instructions as "anthrax" and "death". It took me a long time to get over, especially my fear of planes. So although I didn't lose anyone close to me, the events of that day deeply affected myself, my family, my friends. Even though I am miles away, my sympathies and thoughts shall be forever in the hearts of those who lost someone that day.

[Lostaway]

You were so gonna win best gossip(Source of information) CLUCK U.

I remember that day Vividly, it was the first time I ever had the house to myself, I turned on the telivision and there the blazing tower inferno's were, I think I was scared then... I didn't know what to do and I just panicked.

My heart is with you America, this day when a symbol was destroyed and many lives with it. Its a tragedy.

[LPU]

Nice, CLUCK. Thank you for the tribute and much needed reminder.

[CLUCK]

Living in the UK, this event affected me in a completely different way. I had had a very vivid nightmare some ten days before 9/11, about clouds of grey dust, and gas masks, and many people dying. I woke up sobbing, and for days was convinced the world was going to end. After school one day, a friend of mine came running out of his house saying "they bombed the Pentagon!". The next few hours were a blur of news reports, ringing relatives, and the like. I became paranoid, terrified that where ever I went I would never be safe. I wept and cowered everytime a plane went over heard. Started reading eveyday signs and instructions as "anthrax" and "death". It took me a long time to get over, especially my fear of planes. So although I didn't lose anyone close to me, the events of that day deeply affected myself, my family, my friends. Even though I am miles away, my sympathies and thoughts shall be forever in the hearts of those who lost someone that day.

You were so gonna win best gossip(Source of information) CLUCK U.

I remember that day Vividly, it was the first time I ever had the house to myself, I turned on the telivision and there the blazing tower inferno's were, I think I was scared then... I didn't know what to do and I just panicked.

My heart is with you America, this day when a symbol was destroyed and many lives with it. Its a tragedy.

i honestly had no idea it had as big an impact overseas as well!


to me, there are 2 great events in my lifetime.

the challenger shuttle in '86 and 9/11.

i hope there arent more.

[STEVE_HOLT]

i honestly had no idea it had as big an impact overseas as well!


to me, there are 2 great events in my lifetime.

the challenger shuttle in '86 and 9/11.

i hope there arent more.

You said it Cluck!

I was visiting a friend in Brooklyn at the time, and he and I were going to work, and we were suppose to have hopped on the F train which ran through WTC. It would have arrived around the time of the towers collapsing. Fotunately we missed the train, because I forgot the token... if not I probably wouldn't be here. I was in shock for many days after, for many different reasons.

[King of Snake]

I watched a programme on it last night, and seeing it again brings back all the old emotions

[Lostaway]

i honestly had no idea it had as big an impact overseas as well!


to me, there are 2 great events in my lifetime.

the challenger shuttle in '86 and 9/11.

i hope there arent more.

I think that Terrorism effected the whole world. I mean, didn't you guys hear in the 7/11 (Is that right) in UK where the underground was bombed severly?

[CLUCK]

I think that Terrorism effected the whole world. I mean, didn't you guys hear in the 7/11 (Is that right) in UK where the underground was bombed severly?

ya, but it seemed to me that it wasnt as big here as 9/11 seems to be around the world...

You said it Cluck!

I was visiting a friend in Brooklyn at the time, and he and I were going to work, and we were suppose to have hopped on the F train which ran through WTC. Fotunately we missed the train, because I forgot the token... if not I probably wouldn't be here. I was in shock for many days after, for many different reasons.


i hear alot of those stories. its scary to think of what could have been. my best friend who was living there at the time was supposed to be at the prudential building that morning for a job interview. they filled the job the day before.

[King of Snake]

I think that Terrorism effected the whole world. I mean, didn't you guys hear in the 7/11 (Is that right) in UK where the underground was bombed severly?

Yeah, I work in London and that affected me. As per usual, I was late going into work, got to London Bridge and found that all the tubes were closed for some reason. It's still a bit worrying travelling on the tube because it really would be very easy to do the same thing all over again

[wickedsweet]

I can't even think about the pain the people who lost their loved ones went through, still go through, it breaks my heart still. I don't understand how humans can do this type to eachother.

On a personal level, and in no way trying to compare this to the true horrors of that day.....Flight 93 went down not far from my house. At one point it was reported that it had crashed at the top of the mountian i live on, where some of the kids that went to my sons school lived. When I went into the office to pick up my son that day those kids were in the office, crying, just trying to call home and see if their families were ok, it was horrible, and I'll never forget how scared those kids looked, or how pissed I was that anyone could do this to people they didn't even know.

The whole thing still makes me sick to my stomach.

[LAH LAH]

Thanks Cluck. :Hugglepounce:

[CLUCK]

Thanks Cluck. :Hugglepounce:


right back atcha, babe.


no matter how many years go by, we all need to remember this day. some people say its to exploit it. i am a firm believer that history repeats itself, unless you are educated about it. knowing what happened and why will hopefully prevent it from happening again, if not being better prepared.

[tellthemmrekoletyoulive]

Thanks, CLUCK.

Six people from my town died in the attack. I could see the Towers burning from the beach near my home.

I was deeply, deeply affected by this. My neighbor (2 houses away) sat on her porch waiting for her husband to come home for three days. And then, I could hear the wailing of her and her children for days.

[aRooZa]

I will never forget that day... I came home early from University and went to turn on the TV when a German station was already reporting about the smoke over NYC. It was like.. 5 minutes after the first plane hit the towers. I switched to CNN and they were broadcasting live. So I watched the second plane crash. Live on TV. I didn't know what to do, I was alone at home, clutching to my little cat that seemed to know there was something wrong. I was paralyzed and couldn't turn my eyes away from the TV. CNN and the German station were still broadcasting live. No one knew what was happening, everyone was in shock. The german news anchor didn't take a break. He was there the whole day to report.
When the first tower collapsed I screamed. And then I started crying. It was one of the worst days in my life. And I was far away from everything...

My heart goes out to all of you.

[MrSocko]

Thanks, CLUCK.

Six people from my town died in the attack. I could see the Towers burning from the beach near my home.

I was deeply, deeply affected by this. My neighbor (2 houses away) sat on her porch waiting for her husband to come home for three days. And then, I could hear the wailing of her and her children for days.

I could also see the smoke from the towers from my town. It was one of the most haunting experiences of my life. But also one of the most important. Hope that makes sense.

One of my friends from school (I was in 8th grade at the time, remember) lost his father in the towers, which is where it hit home for me. I had lost my father 4 or 5 months prior to the attacks, and to see it happen to someone else so close to me, and especially because of the reason, blew me away. Something so unnecessary having such an incredible impact... I don't even know what to say.

:candlelight:

[CLUCK]

I could also see the smoke from the towers from my town. It was one of the most haunting experiences of my life. But also one of the most important. Hope that makes sense.

One of my friends from school (I was in 7th grade at the time, remember) lost his father in the towers, which is where it hit home for me. I had lost my father 4 or 5 months prior to the attacks, and to see it happen to someone else so close to me, and especially because of the reason, blew me away. Something so unnecessary having such an incredible impact... I don't even know what to say.

:candlelight:

im with you on that.

[scotpgot]

I was living in New Jersey at the time, about 45 minute train ride outside of the city. They came in to tell us around 10 that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. We all thought it was an accident. Then they sent us home around noon. Listening to the radio I heard that the Twin Towers had collapsed, and literally said to myself, "Oh My God."

That afternoon I went over to my grandmother's house and we watched the news together. Every once in awhile we heard a plane over head, which was a little freaky, because by that time we KNEW those were military planes.

It was a small town, so people kept an eye on which cars in the train station didn't move for several weeks. Several of them never did move. One of our neighbors was a retired executive for one of the financial companies that was hit. He had to come out of retirement to run the friggin company because so many current executives were lost.

But the spookiest thing in my life was a year later I was working in Manhattan. The anniversary came on a Wednesday. That week was all 80 degree weather, with sunshine. Except, September 11th, 55 and strong winds. VERY creepy.

R.I.P. victims of 9/11

[wickedsweet]

I could also see the smoke from the towers from my town. It was one of the most haunting experiences of my life. But also one of the most important. Hope that makes sense.

One of my friends from school (I was in 7th grade at the time, remember) lost his father in the towers, which is where it hit home for me. I had lost my father 4 or 5 months prior to the attacks, and to see it happen to someone else so close to me, and especially because of the reason, blew me away. Something so unnecessary having such an incredible impact... I don't even know what to say.

:candlelight:

i always wonder how this will effect your age group through time....that's just a rough age in general and then to see someting like this, I wonder how that changes people....(and I'm sorry about your Dad:Hugglepounce: )

[Crandyman]

I was going to a community college at the time and I was still living at home. I remember I was in the shower and my father started banging on the door saying that a plane had crashed into the WTC. I didn't think much of it but was curious so I hurriedly got out to see what was going on. Only then did I realize it was much larger than I had imagined. My father and brother were both convinced that it was intentional while I, perhaps being naive, still clung to the possibility of it being an accident. We sat there and watched things transpire and I happened to notice the South Tower being hit. My father and brother didn't catch it live but I did. I saw a plane hit the second tower and that is when I started to panic.

I was trying to get ready to leave but my mind was filled with so many different thoughts. The college that I was taking classes at was about 20 minutes away so I was forced to listen to the radio coverage while commuting. I remember I was parking my car when reports came across that the Pentagon was hit. I was completely overwhelmed. Two of our most notable edifices had been attacked and at this time, we had no idea as to why or by whom.

Ironically, the class that I was attending was, World Religions. There was very little talk about what had happened and none by the professor. Actually, I had two classes with this professor, back-to-back. After the first class ended, a friend and I, who also took both classes, stayed in the room and were discussing the events. My professor was listening to us and then asked what we were talking about. He had no idea what had happened. He got up there early and was just doing paperwork in his office so he hadn't been exposed to any media coverage. Suffice it to say, he was utterly shocked. He canceled class and we all went upstairs to where there were televisions. This is where I became the most confused and completely awestruck. I paid attention intently, looking for updates but I didn't see anything. While I was in class the towers had collapsed. I didn't understand. Just a few hours before, it was a normal New York day then all of a sudden a national landmark was gone.

Not long after getting up there to watch the television, the president of the college had announced that the NY Governor had issued that classes were to be canceled. The campus was to be evacuated and that we were all supposed to go home. I stopped at the hospital to speak with my dad and then drove to the pre-school where my mother works, just to see them. I remember my confusion turning to anger like a turn of a key. I also remember very vividly, punching the steering wheel in my car and saying some very hateful and prejudice things. I didn't know what else to do and acting on my emotions the only way that I could. Like most people, I got very little sleep that night as I watched coverage of the events for almost 14 hours straight. The next day, I returned to classes, where we just sat around and discussed our feelings and friends and family. There was also a guy who had a family member in the building and he still hadn't heard confirmation. He just broke down crying and it was probably one of the most emotional things I had ever witnessed.

Those 24 hours immediately after the attack are so clear in my mind that I can never imagine forgetting. Being born and raised in upstate NY, the City is like a Mecca to me. We'd go into the city to go shopping or head to the Bronx to see a Yankee game. We'd go to Battery park and buy cheap knockoff sunglasses and cheesy t-shirts. I also happen to remember the time that we went up in the WTC. It was one of the most amazing things I had ever seen. Watching the cars scurry by like ants was completely surreal. I recall the glass being seemingly thin up there, like I could just run right through it(pretty scary actually). I think that trip was in '94 so that was the last time I was in the building. At that time, security was heightened because of the bombing there not too long before. Oh yea, the elevator. It was the most astounding thing in the world. This elevator was the fastest thing you could imagine. It climbed 100 stories in no time. You couldn't even read the numbers as they passed by so quickly. Just absolutely surreal and I'm glad that I was fortunate enough to experience that.

ETA: Wow, sorry. I didn't realize how much I wrote.

-Crandy

[tellthemmrekoletyoulive]

I could also see the smoke from the towers from my town. It was one of the most haunting experiences of my life. But also one of the most important. Hope that makes sense.

One of my friends from school (I was in 7th grade at the time, remember) lost his father in the towers, which is where it hit home for me. I had lost my father 4 or 5 months prior to the attacks, and to see it happen to someone else so close to me, and especially because of the reason, blew me away. Something so unnecessary having such an incredible impact... I don't even know what to say.

:candlelight:

Wow, Socko, so sorry about the loss of your father. And, yes, you make perfect sense to me. I'm crying right now thinking about that day (and the days after); memorial services, funerals, fundraisers, the devastated families all around me....

[ISLANDLEA]

I was home,, sleeping ,,alone
my bedside phone rang
it was my brother
he told me what occurred
I grabbed my TV remote
only one Tower had been hit
...then the second hit
one went down
...then the other




another of my brothers worked near the Towers..
it was a long day

[tellthemmrekoletyoulive]

Yep. I waited for my brother-in-law to come home off the ferry he usually took to work downtown. He was covered from head to toe in soot, as was everybody else.

[Lost In His Eyes]

I don't think I'll ever forget that day. I was in 8th grade, in my social studies class when my teacher got a message about it and turned on the tv so we could all watch what was going on. It was horrible, watching that second plane... and seeing the towers collapse. And I remember getting so pissed off when a couple kids in my next class were cracking jokes about it.

My heart and prayers go out to anyone who lost someone on that day.

[yung23]

sorry, respects to all who lost.

I wont do the pol. thing again.

[Lostaway]

EDIT: Nevermind.

[ISLANDLEA]

hi, then I'll just say , the attack called for retaliation
but that never came ...lea

[yung23]

edited. sorry, please edit the quote out too.

I cant help myself with you know you sometimes.

[CLUCK]

edited. sorry, please edit the quote out too.

I cant help myself with you know you sometimes.


thanks buddy, i appriciate it.

[tellthemmrekoletyoulive]

sorry, respects to all who lost.

I wont do the pol. thing again.

Hi yung, and thanks yung.

[brdmom]

Reading everyone's stories brings it all back -
I think that was the worst week of my life -
I was teaching and another administrator came and told me there was going to be an emergency admin meeting at 10:00 (I was also an administrator). I just thought some kid had done something stupid... I went into the meeting and the tv was on. I remembered I screamed watching the towers collapse. We spent half an hour deciding what to do, then I told the teachers in my area (the students were having a super long recess), and then I was the one who told the kids. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. One child said, "Did people die?" (these were young kids) "Yes," I said, "People did die."
Then the day got worse - one of our student's parents was on one of the planes. Her father was also on a plane, but they had traveled separately so he was grounded somewhere in the midwest. It was two days before he could get home and tell his daughter what had happened to her mom.
It was the most intense week of emotion, crisis management, trying to care for students while taking care of ourselves, and then there was the rest of the year of grieving...

May we all remember those who lost loved ones, and for them, six years is not a long time...

[ozchick]

i honestly had no idea it had as big an impact overseas as well!


to me, there are 2 great events in my lifetime.

the challenger shuttle in '86 and 9/11.

i hope there arent more.

A little about the Challenger explosion before I touch on my 9/11 story. My dad was a teacher and had applied for the Teacher in Space program, and was rejected pretty early on because he didn't meet the physical requirements, but I couldn't help thinking "what if". Christa McAulliffe, who was the teacher chosen, grew up with my best friend's mother, quite locally. They had gone to school together for 12 years, attended the same church, and even attended the same state college, so the impact was quite large. I remember my friend's mom being devastated, and because of the local connection there was a huge amout of media coverage here. Christa McAulliffe's mother still lives in town, and there is now a charter school named for her here. From my living room window I can see the high school she attended. Every January 28th continues to be a day of rememberance for me.

On 9/11/01 I was working in the same office I do now, though in a different role. We started to hear rumblings early in the morning, someone's girlfriend had been watching tv and called in to tell him about it. My office is fairly large and our cafeteria has TVs and I can remember standing in the caf with a lot of other people watching the initial press conference when the president was still in Florida. My job at the time was part of a call center, and we couldn't leave the phones unattended, so we took turns going down to watch the news. I will never forget my co worker coming back upstairs and announcing "World War 3 just started. They hit the Pentagon."

We also tried to get what news we could online, but most of the major news sites were down, the servers had crashed from the overload of people trying to access them. I had a small old fashioned antenna radio at my desk, which did not get good AM reception, but we managed to find an FM station that had picked up the CNN audio feed. People I had never seen before were gathered around my cube listening to the news. I still have that radio, and have moved it to three different cubes since then, despite the fact that I never listen to it. But I won't get rid of it.

Later in the day we started to hear the personal stories as people got in touch with friends and family. I live and work outside of Boston, so lots of people knew folks flying out of Logan Airport that morning. Then the news came in that another large retailer with headquarters in the same town as my company had a bunch of buyers on one of the planes; it could very easily have been people from my work.

I also remember that I couldn't eat. I tried to force down some grapes at lunchtime, but just couldn't manage it. I live alone and when I got home that night, I still couldn't eat (this is unusual for me), and just sat by myself in front of the tv watching the endless replays of the plane hitting the building and the towers collapsing. The next night was the already scheduled first meeting of my dance company for the year. Our first night back we usually don't dance, but have a catch-up meeting with snacks in the small kitchen of our dance studio. When I got there, the woman who runs the dance company had set up tables and chairs in the studio itself and had ordered a full meal from a local resturant, and finally, once I was in the familiar comfort of friends, I was able to eat for the first time in two days. That night was not our typical catch up, but had much more emotion as people hugged and cried and told their own stories of the past two days.

On 9/11/02, the Boston Globe ran a two page spread with the names of everyone who was killed that day the year before. I cut it out and hung it up outside my cube at work. It is getting yellowed, but I still take it out and put it up for the month of September every year. It helps me get past the political stuff and remember the people. Just this past Friday, two newer co-workers saw it for the first time and found the names of the people they knew or knew of. And we shared our stories.

Keep sharing your story. Thanks Cluck for this thread.

[GrahamK]

I happened to be home from work that day and switched on the TV at lunchtime (UK). They were reporting what seemed to be a huge fire in the WTC. I sat and watched live as the second plane hit.

I experienced a peculiar sense of disconnect for a while. After all, this couldn't be real. No way. Stuff like this just didn't happen. I have to say that at that moment I felt very little emotion; I guess my brain was struggling to compute the enormity of the images.

Then the towers collapsed. That was when something inside of me woke up and realised it was a news channel I was watching not a movie channel. I still couldn't understand what had happened, and to be honest I still can't - how can people hate the world so much? - but that was when I began to feel a knot in my stomach and an unbelievable dryness in my mouth.

The only other time I have felt the same level of grief at a 'news' event was the Dunblane shooting in 1996.

My heart still hurts when I'm reminded of the people who died on 9/11 - not so much the numbers, but the individual stories. I pray that everyone who lost a loved one finds the continuing strength they need.

[Frecklestoo]

I will never ever forget that day. My oldest daughter was 3 years old and it was her first day of pre-school. I had just dropped her off with strangers for the first time EVER, I went home to enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee, turned on the TV to a live video of the 2nd plane hitting the WTC. Then the pentagon got hit. I didn't know if I should go get my baby...I didn't know if we were safe (I'm 45 minutes from NYC). I spent the rest of the day GLUED to the TV. Watching the towers fall was a scene I will never get out of my head.

My brother's sister in law and brother in law were living in NYC at the time, right on Chambers Street (is that the name of it?). His sister in law swam every day in the gym at the WTC but that particular day she decided to walk her daughter to her first day at school. Her husband stayed home and wound up spending the next several days hiding in the basement of their building with another resident because they thought we were at war. For several days his wife and daughter didn't know if he was dead or alive.

That day changed the world and the people who were witness to it. I'm thankful every day that my kids were too young to know what was going on and I pray every day that they will never witness an event like that in their lifetimes.

I wish all the victims and their families and friends peace. I wish the rest of us a safe and peaceful world to live in.

[CON-FLICKT]

Thank you Cluck for this thread and thank you mods for not locking it. I'm aware of those who, for a reason or another , see this day different like some left wingers, Colorado's Churchill comes to mind...
What happened on 9/11/01 seems to be very much alive in the hearts and minds of many of us, and I thank you for that.

How I felt that day... well to keep it short, I felt the same way as in 1977 when 14 members of my family died. 8 in the March 4th earthquake(3 cousins-best friends, 1 grand parent and most aunts and uncles), and the rest in accidents and medical complications. Since then I was funeral free (except for some friends during the 1989 coup de etat) Weird, huh...
I will also remember for ever, how marine reservists were acting as they were watching the events on TV. Most of them left work ready to do something about it, but as we all know, emotions were high...
I hope we'll never have to suffer this kind of tragedy and if it'll ever happens again, I hope we'll be able to say..."We tried everything we could to stop it!"

[foxxie]

:awwhug:'s to everyone.

[The Life of Riley]

My school was ridiculous on that day. I was in junior high, and the teachers were ordered not to turn on the TVs or tell us what happened. :mad: I had to go through school seeing teachers crying and all shaken up and having no idea what was going on.

But anyway, my hearts go out to all the victims and their families, and everyone affected by the tragedy. The wounds are still there, even 6 years later.

[MrSocko]

My school was ridiculous on that day. I was in junior high, and the teachers were ordered not to turn on the TVs or tell us what happened. :mad: I had to go through school seeing teachers crying and all shaken up and having no idea what was going on.

But anyway, my hearts go out to all the victims and their families, and everyone affected by the tragedy. The wounds are still there, even 6 years later.

My school handled it in a similar way. They made all teachers turn off any radios/TVs that might be on, and did not tell us anything until last period. With about 10 minutes left until school let out for the day, the principal came on the intercom and said something like this: (paraphrasing) "Earlier today there were several terrorist attacks nearby. We do not want to give too many details, as you should learn of this from your family, but the attacks were significant, and we do not yet know who is responsible. Good luck on your way home."

Can you believe that? Good luck on your way home. What the hell is that? I swear, I was scared out of my mind... I thought terrorists were literally roaming all over my town killing people. I obviously can't recall this announcement word for word, but that final sentence will stick with me for the rest of my life.

[vonnegut]

Wow, ya'll know (cause I'm not really shy about it) I'm the most stupid socialist and critical-on-America American around...

So at first I'm all scornful about the where-were-you aspects of this thread. I only keep out of politics here out of respect for guidelines, and of course this is, on the surface, very political (and I'm personally very political). Just because of what has happened since. So, initially, I don't want to comment here, afraid that I'll bring up what has happened in the past six years, etc.

But I started reading posts. And start remembering things. I'd just left high school, was working nights waitressing. I always left my TV on. I woke up in plenty of time to see the second plane hit the WTC on CNN. I remember that they stopped live footage after people started jumping.

For all of my political leanings-- it's a grief. It's an odd grief. If just the Pentagon had been bombed-- I'll admit-- it would be easier for me. A military target, in a military way, okay, that's the risk you take. It isn't the Pentagon that hits me-- it's the World Trade Center. The fact that these were simply people going to work. They had husbands, wives, children. They were going to work on an ordinary day, and they got murdered. Were it a military target, like the Pentagon, it would have been a death in a war-- surely just as painful for family, but more justifiable. War is war, always has been. But this was a type of atrocity, of murder, of innocent people with no government jobs, no political leanings, no stake in this. Just people going to work.

That shatters and upsets me.

Because I remember when people started jumping.

And then, it's not about politics. It's not about nations and religions and who is right, and who is wrong. It's about the pictures labelled "missing." The people who were secretaries. The white-collar dudes who had young children. They never signed up for a war. They never volunteered to be soldiers. They were there for their families, to make their lives, to live for those that loved them and needed them.

And you can be critical about America in the months and years that followed, but you can't be critical about Americans. I try to be non-sentimental, I try not to be caught up in the crazy reactive patriotism that followed, but even I can't deny that there are heroes on this earth and in this country. These were people not thinking about America as a concept-- not thinking about the far-reaching complications that we are experiencing-- but just jumping into that burning building, and pulling out a fellow human being. No matter how cynical you are, that is humanity at its most beautiful-- when it really shines.

America found out, that day, what it was made of. I can grumble that other countries get this every day-- that what happened to us, is nothing compared to the terror attacks in Israel. That we don't even KNOW what terror is, what it is to live that way. But for that one day, for this one day, 9/11, we lived it, and we met it. And it doesn't even matter what country it was. There were people saving people, people helping people, with no ulterior motive, it was humanity. It was good versus evil, in the plainest and simplest ways. Not because of ideology-- but because regular people were being killed, and regular people were fighting to save them.

I didn't cry. Not that whole day, I didn't.

I didn't until a day a few weeks after. I was at a friend's house, and this Comedy Central show, the "Daily Show" came back on air. http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/43270/The_Daily_Show_9_11.html

That's the link. Listen to the first few minutes.

That sincerity did it for me. I cried.

[CLUCK]

Wow, ya'll know (cause I'm not really shy about it) I'm the most stupid socialist and critical-on-America American around...

So at first I'm all scornful about the where-were-you aspects of this thread. I only keep out of politics here out of respect for guidelines, and of course this is, on the surface, very political (and I'm personally very political). Just because of what has happened since. So, initially, I don't want to comment here, afraid that I'll bring up what has happened in the past six years, etc.

But I started reading posts. And start remembering things. I'd just left high school, was working nights waitressing. I always left my TV on. I woke up in plenty of time to see the second plane hit the WTC on CNN. I remember that they stopped live footage after people started jumping.

For all of my political leanings-- it's a grief. It's an odd grief. If just the Pentagon had been bombed-- I'll admit-- it would be easier for me. A military target, in a military way, okay, that's the risk you take. It isn't the Pentagon that hits me-- it's the World Trade Center. The fact that these were simply people going to work. They had husbands, wives, children. They were going to work on an ordinary day, and they got murdered. Were it a military target, like the Pentagon, it would have been a death in a war-- surely just as painful for family, but more justifiable. War is war, always has been. But this was a type of atrocity, of murder, of innocent people with no government jobs, no political leanings, no stake in this. Just people going to work.

That shatters and upsets me.

Because I remember when people started jumping.

And then, it's not about politics. It's not about nations and religions and who is right, and who is wrong. It's about the pictures labelled "missing." The people who were secretaries. The white-collar dudes who had young children. They never signed up for a war. They never volunteered to be soldiers. They were there for their families, to make their lives, to live for those that loved them and needed them.

And you can be critical about America in the months and years that followed, but you can't be critical about Americans. I try to be non-sentimental, I try not to be caught up in the crazy reactive patriotism that followed, but even I can't deny that there are heroes on this earth and in this country. These were people not thinking about America as a concept-- not thinking about the far-reaching complications that we are experiencing-- but just jumping into that burning building, and pulling out a fellow human being. No matter how cynical you are, that is humanity at its most beautiful-- when it really shines.

America found out, that day, what it was made of. I can grumble that other countries get this every day-- that what happened to us, is nothing compared to the terror attacks in Israel. That we don't even KNOW what terror is, what it is to live that way. But for that one day, for this one day, 9/11, we lived it, and we met it. And it doesn't even matter what country it was. There were people saving people, people helping people, with no ulterior motive, it was humanity. It was good versus evil, in the plainest and simplest ways. Not because of ideology-- but because regular people were being killed, and regular people were fighting to save them.

I didn't cry. Not that whole day, I didn't.

I didn't until a day a few weeks after. I was at a friend's house, and this Comedy Central show, the "Daily Show" came back on air. http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/43270/The_Daily_Show_9_11.html

That's the link. Listen to the first few minutes.

That sincerity did it for me. I cried.

i have to say vonne, that post actually made me a little misty eyed. john stewart was an american that day. he wasnt just a tv host or comedian.

i remember sometime in the evening of 9/11, john stewart was on some news channel, and he was absolutly balling his eyes out. at ine point he said it was almost poetic in a way that the view from his apartment used to be the world trade centers. he went on to say "now, it is the statue of liberty"

[gertie]

I don't want to comment (much) on Vonne's post, BUT, in a military way? Vonne, that was a civilian plane taking family members back to their families.

[I Like Freckles]

Like Vonne, I've got my own set of serious issues with how this country operates. Unlike her, I tend to keep them to myself a bit more, especially on the internet where sadly, much like talk radio, "political discourse" is too often replaced by sound bite warfare.

That said, I really don't see how anything Vonne said in her post was "political," or meant to detract from the intent of the thread. Despite being an avid Daily Show watcher, I had actually never seen the episode she linked to, and I'm very glad to have seen it now. Despite my political leanings and disappointments with some of the things that are done in the name of this country, I still harbor that sense of hope that Jon Stewart was talking about. Despite our shortcomings, we Americans do have a tremendous ability to rise above our differences and our failings when tragedy strikes.

Jon Stewart was right that on that horrible day almost 6 years ago and in the weeks that followed it, we were all truly "Americans" in the best sense of the word. I do wish that we had managed to do more with that fleeting sense of togetherness and unity before it faded back into the periphery, but that doesn't mean we should give up hope.

And because of that, I'll take a moment tomorrow to remind myself that whatever our differences as human beings, whatever forces and obstacles continue to divide us, that Dream of which Dr. King once spoke is something that we should never lose sight of and never stop aspiring to.

I can think of no greater way to honor those who lost their lives or their loved ones than to never stop striving to build a better world out of the rubble and wreckage of that horrible day.

[Mattie]

I was a junior in high school. I was in my history class and the first thing I remember is the teacher coming into the classroom saying he has bad news and that everyone had to remain calm.

He went on to tell us what he knew - it wasn't much since it had just happened on the news and not many details were out in the media.

We weren't let out early and none of the teachers were too informed. The rest of that day there were muddy details. Kids and teachers were going around whispering, pulling people aside...

At lunch, the 5 cafeterias were all buzzing about a "world war III"

I'll never forget when I got out of school and went to my Grandmother's house and saw the television. That very first image of the TV set is burned into my memory.

Weeks after is just as ingrained into my mind. I remember all the cars in the neighborhood (literally - almost ALL the cars) having small American flags on their antenna, doors, bumper...somewhere. The same went for all the houses, everyone had American flags waving. It was the first time in my life I can remember a population all doing something that was the same and part of a group. That's the part that sticks with me the most out of all the memories of that day and the following weeks.

[moonshadow707]

On the evening of Sept. 10, 2001, I was watching some show on TV - maybe the History Channel, I can't remember - and they were showing the old film footage of the attack on Pearl Harbor. And I specifically remember thinking how amazing it was that we actually had film of such an historic event, being that it was a surprise attack. Of course I had no idea that our generation's Pearl Harbor would happen the next morning.

I was at work and left my office to go into the hallway that morning. A co-worker (one of many gathered in and around our boss's office) told me that two planes had flown into the WTC. I realized that one plane could maybe be an accident, but two planes had to be deliberate. My boss had a small TV in his office and we all gathered around to watch the newscasts.
A while later I went back to my office to try to get some work done. My officemate came by to tell me "Jeez, they just hit the Pentagon!" At that point all I could think was "What the hell is going on?"
A lot of us were in the boss's office watching when the first tower came down. Not a whole lot of work got done that day. My boss was and is very understanding, wise and kind when it comes to what's really important in life.

MrSocko, it seems really wrong to keep kids that age in the dark all day about what was going on. Good luck on your way home??? Wow.


ILF, I think what might have rubbed some people the wrong way was the implication that it wouldn't have been so bad (for vonnegut) if it had just been the Pentagon, since that's a military target. Gertie reminded us all that the people in the plane that hit the Pentagon were civilians, just trying to go about their lives. They didn't volunteer for war when they got on the plane that day. Apologies if I'm paraphrasing your feelings wrongly, vonnegut. Maybe you meant "bombed" in the conventional sense and it just wasn't perceived that way by everyone.
I'm not trying to start anything (or keep this going). Everyone's entitled to their political opinions. I agree, though, that this isn't the place for it.
Peace and hugs to all.

[merry slug]

A good friend of mine and I were going out in the field that day - it was a particularly LONG day. We had to take samples on the Weeki Watchee River and it was a good 2 hours away from the lab - 2 hours there, all day sampling, two hours back.

My friend and I had a set way of arranging the driving that we were both extremely happy with - I'd drive out in the morning when she would sleep, she'd drive back at the end of the day when I was tired. So I was driving that morning, and when I'm driving (unlike most of my coworkers) I tend to like silence. Usually I'm thinking, and Chrissy is sleeping.

That day for some reason that I'll never be able to pinpoint we had the radio on. I can't tell you when the music stopped because I know we didn't notice for a while. We were unusually animated that morning and talked most of the drive. Then I heard something about a plane hitting a building, and it finally registered that we hadn't heard music in some time.

We listened to it the rest of the way to Weeki Watchee, then went out on the boat and did our sampling. As soon as we were back in the truck (hours later) we tuned back in and heard about 1) the Pentagon, and 2) the towers falling. I remember asking Chrissy if she thought the whole towers fell, or just the top parts? We assured each other that it couldn't be the whole towers.

For those long two hours driving home we stayed tuned in and I kept thinking one thing: we are listening to our world change.

When we finally got back to the lab almost everyone had gone home (unheard of). Those who were still working had found (somewhere) TVs so they could keep watch. Finally I could see pictures of what had been happening. And even though I knew it and had heard of it, the scope of it was more than I could have imagined. And of course, when I got home my roommate was perched in front of the TV. We each had our own living rooms and TVs, but I spent most of the evenings of those next few weeks in with her, watching. I needed to watch. I needed the company.

vonn, thank you so so much for posting that link to the Daily Show! I'd heard of this but missed it, and I've always wanted to see it. :awwhug:

[FrodoFraggins]

That was a very surreal day for me, although it didn't impact me as greatly as many others. I was in Buffalo that day and my girlfriend at the time dropped me off at the Buffalo airport that morning. At the time she dropped me off, we hadn't put on the radio and nothing stood out at the airport.

I went to my airlines ticket counter and noone was there. I waited a few minutes and went to the airline next to mine and said:

"Noone seems to be at my airline's counter. Do you know where they went?"

The woman said "Something happened. A plain just crashed into the World Trade Center."

What she said didn't make any sense. How in the world could someone fly into the Trade Center?

At that point in time the airlines didn't know it was a terrorist attack, and simply had been told to ground all flights by the FCC. And so they let me go through the gates to the other side and wait. I walked past a restaurant with a TV and it was on a news station showing the first plane crashing into one of the towers. As you'd expect there were lots of people standing in shock as they watched the images.

My girlfriend had gone to class and left her cellphone at home. By the time she found out about the WTC the second had crashed as well. At that point, all she knew was that I was supposedly flying from Buffalo to Boston. I had left messages on her home phone and told her to come and get me. Once she found out about the attacks she drove home and got my message. When she arrived at the airport she was visibly shaken by the events and having initially been afraid that I had been on the plane. She had grown up in NYC and as soon as we got home, she contacted everyone she could think of to make sure they were OK.

The following few days were very depressing. All flights had been cancelled even the bus routes had been affected. They weren't letting any mass transportation vehicles to follow routes anywhere near government buildings. I found myself glued to the TV in a very somber state.

Several days later I realized that flights weren't going to resume and I took an amtrak train back to Boston. But until that time I found myself in a very sad state. I was in shock for quite a while. I didn't understand what had happened.

Upon getting back home I turned on the local news and they were displaying a tribute to the fallen victims. This tribute included pictures and as they were scrolling down the screen I realized that I recognized one of the deceased/murdered. He was a professor from the University I had attended and I had actually taken two classes with him. I won't pretend that I was close to him. But he was a friend of mines advisor and a nice man.

My events that day weren't anywhere near as profound as anyone that lost a friend or family member. But the events of that day are still very vivid in many ways. But shockingly, the exact order of events that day aren't as clear as they once were. I used to think I'd remember everything about that day very vividly for the rest of my life.

[cinderellabop]

It seems weird to me that so many of you had to stay at work, stay at school on those days. I work in Philly, and just around the time the Pentagon was hit, we were all sent home. So was the entire city. It just shut down.

I remember that I was just sitting at my desk, drinking a cup of tea and pretending to be doing work, when someone said, "Hey, did you hear? A plane just hit the World Trade Center!" Then we gathered in the conference room and watched for a little while, as the second plane hit. I left the room when the President started speaking, and started searching for new online. Just as I noticed the news story about the Pentagon, we were told to go home immediately. I was actually more scared to leave, because I had to take the train over the Ben Franklin Bridge into Jersey. I walked to the train with my friend Bonnie, and the train station was PACKED. I'd seriously never seen it that full and I never have again. Everyone was just fleeing the city.

I remember being so relieved when I finally got home to my family. I watched with them for a while until I felt sick to my stomach. I went upstairs and I just cried.

[truffula]

My mom always told me that the day John F. Kennedy was shot was the one day of her life she would always remember where she was, what she was doing, when she heard. September 11, 2001 was that day for me.

I was working at a recording studio at the time, and I didn't have to go into work until 1pm, so I was sleeping in when I heard my phone ring. I let the machine get it, but it was loud enough that I heard my brother leaving a frantic message of some sorts. So after a few minutes I decided to get up to see what he was going off about. The first words out of his mouth sent a chill down my spine - "We're under attack". At that point, only the one tower had been hit, and I turned on my tv just in time to watch the second plane hit live.

I was stunned. I literally was frozen in my living room staring at the horror on my tv.

After a few minutes I was able to move and think enough to realize that many of my friends from Boston were now living in NYC, two of whom were 2 blocks away from the WTC. I tried the phone, but that wasn't happening, so I immediately went online to AIM where I sat and waited patiently for any of the Truffula Tribe to log on. Mere minutes after I logged on, Truffula Joe logged on and as soon as we began talking, the Pentagon got hit. We were both in shock, and at that point we both needed to figure out how to find out if our friends in NYC were okay.

I called my boss at the recording studio and told him I wasn't coming to work. When he asked why, I told him "turn on your tv". He didn't know what was happening.

It took us 14 hours to find out if our 2 friends near the WTC were okay. We were lucky. Some families waited days. And the news they got at the end was not good in many cases. :(

My heart goes out to all that lost loved ones on that tragic day.

We will never forget.

[MrSocko]

I didn't until a day a few weeks after. I was at a friend's house, and this Comedy Central show, the "Daily Show" came back on air. http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/43270/The_Daily_Show_9_11.html

That's the link. Listen to the first few minutes.

That sincerity did it for me. I cried.

Thank you.

[VeeAyetheCPA]

I spent the morning in my basement on the computer (non-internet stuff). My cell phone didn't get good reception down there. After I finished my work, I started out of my house to go to my boys' school, where I spent half days doing volunteer work. But as I went out to my car, I saw way too many people walking around in the parking lot, people that shouldn't be home at that time of day. That was a really creepy feeling. It was kind of unreal.

Then just as I got in my car, my husband got through to me on my cell. I was utterly shocked and chilled. I was 6 months pregnant with my daughter and it seemed like the world had just fallen apart. What kind of times was I going to bring my baby into?

I drove to school in shock. They had the tvs on there, at least in the upper grades. Parents kept calling the office trying to figure out what to do about their kids (pick them up then, wait, etc.) My best friend in the neighborhood could watch the Pentagon smoke from her office windows.

Just reading these posts and writing my own has me nearly in tears.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/14/14_3_14.gif

[Maestra]

Wow, I'd never seen that ep of "The Daily Show." Thanks, Vonne. :)

I'll never forget that day, even though I lived thousands of miles away, and no one I loved was directly affected.

I awoke to the news, just after the first plane had hit. I sat and watched as the second hit, and immediately knew it wasn't a coincidence or an accident. I was terrified.

I was expected at work in about 2 hours, and had a half hour commute with my sister. I sat in front of the TV as long as possible before I had to leave. I was home alone when the first tower collapsed. Then hearing about the Pentagon, the second tower, the plane in PA (does anyone else remember hearing that it was shot out of the sky?). By the time my sister picked me up, I was hysterical. As we drove down the freeway, we saw the last of the planes landing at Sky Harbor.

I was terrified because I worked in a government building in downtown Phoenix at the time. How could I know that we wouldn't be next? Sure, we're no NYC or Washington, D.C., but we're one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation. And I was in a government building. I did NOT feel safe.

We were given no time off at all, and suffered the next several weeks through bomb scare after anthrax scare after bomb scare. We were outdoors more than indoors some days.

I can never identify with the horror felt by those who lost loved ones, or even worried for their safety. But I knew that our world had changed forever, and that frightened me more than I can ever express.

Just two months prior, I had moved back home to Phoenix after five years living in Florida. I'm wonderfully close with my family, and I would have been miserable living so far away from them during that time. Somehow, my heart pulled me back to my family before September 11, and that never ceases to amaze me. Why do I have trouble following it now?

[JacksGirlfriend]

I just want to say I remember every single second of that day. I worked at a newspaper. We had a little latitude about watching TV that day but of course we had things to do... because it was, after all, a newspaper.

I finished every bit of work I had to do then, around 2:00, I said to my boss "I'm leaving now." He just nodded. My sister worked at the Capitol and I hadn't been able to reach her. He seemed to understand.

I went home. My kids were in high school. When they got home, towing some friends with them, they found me in the living room, watching TV, cuddled in a blanket, crying. We talked for a long time and I hope they understood everything I said. I think they did. I tried to explain exactly how I felt but... you know how things are when you're teenagers.

Eventually, after a couple hours of watching TV and listening to me, my older son said "Guess you're not cooking dinner tonight, huh, Mom?" I said "No, I don't think so."

So I gave them money and told them all to go to Big Boy. Only my kids came back. Guess the others were tired of watching me cry. Of course, little did they know, their own mothers would be crying too...

Not a good day for any of us. But my heart goes out to those whose day was worse than mine.

[Lab]

I will spare you all an additional story from me, but it has been touching to read all of your thoughts and feelings. It has been therapeutic in a way, and I am proud to see the outpouring of love and support from this community. It's why I love you all.


Let us never forget.

[tellthemmrekoletyoulive]

I will spare you all an additional story from me, but it has been touching to read all of your thoughts and feelings. It has been therapeutic in a way, and I am proud to see the outpouring of love and support from this community. It's why I love you all.


Let us never forget.

Amen.

[CLUCK]

i would like to start off today by offering a prayer...

Almighty, the events of September 11, 2001 will be indelibly inscribed in our memories.
We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people
who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.
We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.
We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.
You have turned our grief into determination.
We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.
Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—
a people endowed with abundant blessings.
Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand
with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.
Hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.
















ETA: i should mention that i did not come up with this. a very good friend of mine wrote it.

[airlybird]

Amen!
Well said CLUCK U

http://www.mro.org/zmm/teachings/daido/images/25-1daido54.jpg

God bless America and all those who were affected by the events of that terrible day.

Forever in our hearts...

[NeillT006]

A man and a woman, awash in a horror beyond my ability to understand.

I do not know them.

Maybe they are friends. Or lovers. Or maybe they are strangers brought together by fate for one terrible moment.

But, in that moment they perform an act so simple, and yet so overwhelmingly powerful, that I know then that there will be no victory for the authors of flames and terror.

They hold hands.

I do not know them.

Still, this day I remember them.

N.

[Master Xander]

I just got home from a birthday party for my friend's mom. It ran a little late, so I missed the first few moments of the attack. I was randomly flipping channels... and there it was. Smoke billowing out of one of the towers. I lingered on CNN, wondering what was going on.

The next few minutes were full of information that didn't make sense to me. I started txting my friends, and everything I was sending seemed incredible, almost nonsensical. How could two planes crash into the World Trade Center?

Yet it happened.

It was weird.

That's the overwhelming feeling I had throughout the whole thing... how weird it was.

It still is.

[CLUCK]

At this moment in time, I pray for all those aboard flight 11, and those in the north tower of the World Trade Center.

[CLUCK]

(a few minutes late... supposed to be at 9:03)right now i pray for all those aboard flight 175, and for all that were inside the south tower.

[TheWatcher]

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words...
http://t4.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1231906211023&id=66147d27b8e2112307b8b0e5542fcf0chttp://t2.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1247681353909&id=877e5419fb730aa637f084a9ff037287http://t3.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1251870376146&id=e5ed0ef3c7e55b6be15914ab4d825332http://t3.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1230466651070&id=56d6a6d8830401e7f94d464bf3975a5bhttp://t4.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1373167552019&id=36e580099942b447351c51fd37f5e577http://t3.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1248125328418&id=a11d7831841f71d55623854ba486c5behttp://t3.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1251537584882&id=64e02afef659c1a0ae5ac7fe83fdffa4
http://t2.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1234428959409&id=58add18cfb857217b1b2ce323038569dhttp://t4.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1251768676643&id=b544823e64b70bbb47b1af66e7db31e2 http://t1.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1274524798048&id=89727a62d521c5b73f5c56a83f2fb578 http://t1.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1253148658164&id=25fb9c887536eccd40468b051cc84a61*moment of silence observed*http://t2.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1373667265985&id=8701ec587142c18bab0108bf8647d3c0

ETA: They say its not so much what happens to ya...but how ya handle it... that counts. America got sucker punched that day. Not getting political here...I'm just saying the "people" of this country stood up to that in a way that we should never forget. It is their actions that make me proud today.

...and oh yeah...know what else I remember? I remember how blue and clear the sky was that day...Just the most perfect of blues...isn't it ironic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fH7c8H6SNw&mode=related&search=

Dont watch if its going to bother you...but its something we should all never forget.

[wickedsweet]

...and oh yeah...know what else I remember? I remember how blue and clear the sky was that day...Just the most perfect of blues...isn't it ironic?

me to

[Frecklestoo]

...and oh yeah...know what else I remember? I remember how blue and clear the sky was that day...Just the most perfect of blues...isn't it ironic?
Oh yeah! I do remember that gorgeous sky! Those pics are awful, TW...they're still hard to look at.

[CLUCK]

At this time, i would like to offer my prayers for those who were aboard AA flight 77, and those in the Pentagon.

[TheWatcher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ra4OAYKeM


http://t3.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1247790249106&id=3722417a7c668144c72e4565ec10ee14this is why they will Never win...

[Third Eye]

God bless America and all the families that lost friends and relatives.

[CLUCK]

10:05 a.m.: The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.

[CLUCK]

Now, i would like to say a prayer for the heroes aboard flight 93, which crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

[scotpgot]

I wrote this exactly one year ago. It's not my best writing, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

"How long has it been?"
"Five years."
"Really? Doesn't seem that long."
"I know."
"Wow. Five years."
"Yeah. Wow."

The two men sat across from each other in the cramped booth at the local Diary Queen. They had come every Monday for the last thirty years. They were as familiar with each other as two men could be without being, you know, different kind of men. They knew each others' wives and children, habits and recreation, professions and tendencies. Each knew when the other was bluffing at the poker table, and when they were not.

Steve was employed as a construction worker since he was seventeen. His pear-shaped upper-body and slight limp betrayed the fact that his chest and arms were made for lifting and force. He was as strong as an ox. His life to this point had not been easy, but nor had it been difficult. It had been the typical life of a small-town mid-westerner. His high school sweetheart left and took their two children to Marysville, Ohio a little over sixteen years ago. He saw them every other weekend and two weeks every summer and Christmas until they left for college. His free-lance work had supported the life he made for himself in Nashville, Indiana, but had not left him the freedom to travel, not that he ever really wanted to. He had his favorite bar, his favorite team, and his favorite jeans, and for him that was plenty. His bright blue eyes had faded and sagged around the corners and lids over the years, his hair had thinned in the front and grown unkempt in the back, and his waist began to strain against his belt, but he never dreamed of asking for more from life. It never even occured to him that he could.

When Allan returned from Vietnam he was lost. A year in college on the GI bill only taught him that he wasn't made for the academic life. But he was smart, and still in good physical condition, so he decided to join the men in blue. He took part-time work in construction while he was training, and that was when he met Steve. He enjoyed the life of a small-town cop. It was not hard work, and he appreciated the social aspect of the job. Although he had grown up in Nashville, the war changed the population. Many of his friends had not come back. A few of those had simply moved away. For those few it was clear that the Diary Queen on Main Street could never be the same after seeing what they had. But for Steve, he was glad to see that some things could remain the same. After twenty years he took early retirement from the force, and was now enjoying a life of leisure and being a hometown hero.

The subject of the day, as it had been for the majority of the days over the last five years, was the murder of the Salem brothers. Mark and Nick Salem were two giants in the town. Their stature, as well as their reputation and personalities made them infamous in Nashville. Salem Hardware was owned by Nick and was one of the few of the Mom and Pop stores in town to survive after McDonald's and the mini-mall was erected in the town center. People knew Nick, and knew he and his products were reliable. Although he was never known to be generous with discounts or charity, he did serve as foreman for many of the building projects in town and was the only man to talk to when a plumber or electrician was needed. Consequently, nearly everyone who had worked in construction in Nashville had at one point or another worked for Nick. He even hired the men who erected the mini-mall that put so many of his friends out of business.

Mark was the police chief, and in that venerable position inspired both fear and respect. The crime rate was low, but the rate of solved cases for the crimes that were commited was uncommonly high. Justice was swift, harsh, and more often than not handed out without the hassle of a trial or jury. One had better not commit a violent crime in Nashville, but if one did, they had better make damned sure they didn't get caught. Mark never smiled, never removed his sunglasses, but always got his man.

"You worked with Nick, right?" Allan asked.
"Yeah. A couple jobs. He was . . . tall."
"Yeah. I worked with Mark about two months before I retired. He, also, was tall." The two men smiled at each other. It was an understanding not only among these friends, but in the town, that everybody knew the Salem brothers, and so nothing needed to be said about them.

On a warm, early-autumn day five years ago, the two men were walking to their respective jobs. Between the two of them, they were responsible for the economy and security of Nashville, Indiana. They took the town seriously, and their cocky swagger made sure everyone knew not to get in their way. That day was like any other that September, warm, pleasant, the sun was shining. A soft breeze blew from the north. Nick and Mark were off to their respective jobs. Their wives stayed home to watch the kids. The streets were bustling with small-town commuters walking to work. That day was like any other, until, at 8:46 a.m., tragedy struck.

Side by side, they were attacked from behind. Quick, swift, two men came up behind them, almost running, heads leveled, pointed towards the brothers like bulls crazed by a careless matador. They carried small-caliber .22s. Black, new, and shiny. The rush-hour crowd on the street saw them, but were helpless to do anything. They didn't even know what was going to happen until after it did.

The assailants attacked from behind. Each shot one brother in the back. Mark was hit first, and then Nick. They turned, and as they did, their shoulders blind-sided the two attackers in the face. Stopped in their tracks by the powerful frames of the brothers, the small men began to turn to run. As swiftly as they had come they turned twice as fast to leave. Mark, dazed, half-blind from pain, and staggering, pull-out his sidearm and fired two shots. Both found their mark in the back of the two cowards' heads. In all the commotion Mark hadn't noticed that Nick had collapsed, exactly 5.6 seconds after the shots were fired. Nick, for once in his life unprepared and indecisive, simply stood there bleeding, perspiring, and fuming. Exactly 28 seconds later he was lying next to his brother, dying. Neither of them had any last words, last thoughts, no life flashing before their eyes. The two towering men were one moment standing tall and proud, and the next on the ground going to pieces.

The coroner said it was the composition of their vessels. Their hearts simply couldn't take the stress, even from such a small caliber bullet that hadn't hit the heart, hadn't hit the lungs, hadn't hit any organ at all, hadn't hit anything vital to speak of, except of course for Nick and Mark.

The town hadn't been the same since, and some wondered if it ever would be. The murderers were identified as Ben and Daniel Fulsom, from Ohio. Apparently the Salems had insulted a cousin of theirs. One day, fifteen months previous, Jerry Fulsom had come into town looking for a job. Nick refused him for no good reason, or so the story goes. And that night Jerry vandalized Salem Hardware and was subsequently arrested by Mark. The next morning, with Jerry still in jail, his wife was eating alone in a diner. At which point Mark and Nick decided she looked like the type of girl they'd like to know. Although nothing had happened, it was enough to send Jerry into a fervor when he returned home. Ben and Daniel heard the story, and decided those two brothers needed to get a little better idea from right and wrong.

From the moment the story became public, an out-of-state car couldn't drive down Main Street without being followed. And a plate from Ohio was sure to ellicit a citation for something. Even for the locals, envelopes that came into the Post Office from Illinois, or Michigan, or God forbid, Ohio, were looked over with a suspicious eye.

"Wow, five years."
"I know."
"It's like an old war wound that you can't forget. Or a scab that won't heal over."
"You just got stop picking at it, that's all."
"I guess . . ."

[CLUCK]

10:28 a.m.: The World Trade Center's north tower collapses

[TheWatcher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHstQv8C2zQ

[Lostaway]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHstQv8C2zQ


Thats emotional, Brought a few tears to my eye.

[MrSocko]

:candlelight: for everyone. Because every single one of us lost something important that day. :candlelight:

[CLUCK]

that video was incredible.

[Prender]

While I didn't lose anyone that I knew personally, it was a very surreal day.

I went to college at the NJ School of Architecture at the NJ Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ, which is about 10 miles away from downtown NYC.

The day started by me walking to my Humanities class, which was scheduled from 8:30 - 10 AM. As I was walking out of the dorm, I walked past the TV lounge and saw a bunch of people in there. Running late, I peeked my head in and heard that a plane had hit the Towers. Naturally, I thought that it was perhaps a Cessna or the like, and didn't give it a second thought.

About 15 minutes into my class, a student came in late. At this point, everyone knew something was up, so the teacher asked if he had heard the latest news bulletin. At this point, it became utterly devastating. My teacher's husband was in one of the Towers for a work-related meeting. Sadly, to this day, I don't know if he ever made it out. Needless to say, that class was canceled soon after.

I immediately went to Studio (where my computer and everything was set up) to see what was going on exactly. By this time, dense black smoke was visible to the East. I took out my camera and snapped a few pictures. At 10 AM, I had a Physics class on the Rutgers campus, which was a couple blocks away. Walking to it, the campuses of both NJIT and Rutgers were completely desolate.

I'll never forget walking back after seeing a note that the class was cancelled. My roommate and I and a few friends started having one of the most morbid conversations I have ever had. We talked about the futility of attempting to run if a nerve gas bomb was dropped on NYC, and other things of that nature. I walked back to Studio and headed towards my station.

NJIT is looked on the highest point of Newark, so it would follow to have some of the best distant views. Well, aside from the skyscrapers in downtown, it was. My Studio was on the 7th (top) floor of the building and there was at least 200 people gathered in the Atrium, looking at the skyline. Since it was much more noticeable, I ran and grabbed my camera and took a few more pictures. I worked my way up front, next to the Dean of the School of Architecture, and had him tell everyone, "Those buildings won't stand for much longer. Everyone pray as you will."

Sure enough, within a couple minutes, the first Tower fell. We all know the rest of the story. The rest of that day was so...well, words can't describe what we all know.

---

As a further part of my story, myself and the other 120 2nd Year Architecture students at NJIT were to meet in the lobby (at the path train) of the WTC at 8:30 am, September 12. That thought has never been lost in my mind.

---

My thoughts, prayers, and compassion go out to everyone. Everyone (as I have been reading this thread) has been adversely affected by this unspeakable tragedy. Even 6 years later, as I was typing out this story, my hands were shaking. May God bless America.

[tellthemmrekoletyoulive]

:candlelight: for everyone. Because every single one of us lost something important that day. :candlelight:

Thank you.

*bows head in remembrance*

[UKLostie]

Is it really 6yrs ago? I can still remember all the mental images of that day as clear as if it was yesterday. I remember been unable to believe what was unfolding on the TV right in front of my eyes, it felt more like a Hollywood film not real life.

My thoughts are with all the people who lost their lives on that day, and to the families of the victims, and also remembering the bravery of the emergency services who put their own lives in harms way.

God bless you America.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m310/UKLostie/3935140808.jpg

[merry slug]

Two of my coworkers were just bemoaning the fact that we still make so much of 9/11:

1 - How long do you think we'll commemorate September 11th?
2 - I'd really just rather forget about it (laughs).

:ashamed:

[MaxPower]

Two of my coworkers were just bemoaning the fact that we still make so much of 9/11:

1 - How long do you think we'll commemorate September 11th?
2 - I'd really just rather forget about it (laughs).

:ashamed:

:pissed: << me when this ^^ happens.

Thanks for the video, it really brings the emotion of it all right back to the surface. It should be a madatory watch for all.

*moment of silence*

[CLUCK]

Two of my coworkers were just bemoaning the fact that we still make so much of 9/11:

1 - How long do you think we'll commemorate September 11th?
2 - I'd really just rather forget about it (laughs).

:ashamed:

:pissed: << me when this ^^ happens.

Thanks for the video, it really brings the emotion of it all right back to the surface. It should be a madatory watch for all.

*moment of silence*


i agree, its something that we should NEVER stop remembering.

[Leia Amos]

* is silent

...just :awwhug:.

[tellthemmrekoletyoulive]

Two of my coworkers were just bemoaning the fact that we still make so much of 9/11:

1 - How long do you think we'll commemorate September 11th?
2 - I'd really just rather forget about it (laughs).

:ashamed:

This is the attitude that really gets my blood boiling. I WILL NEVER FORGET!!

i agree, its something that we should NEVER stop remembering.

Absolutely!!!!

[ILoveEko]

This thread got to me more than I thought it would. Not that I don't still feel affected by what happened, but reading everyone's stories... :awwhug:s

I was in 9th grade at the time. First period of the day, sitting in English class, and one of our principals came on the PA system suddenly, telling us that something terrible has happened in NYC. He didn't tell us what, but we were allowed to go to the library after class where CNN was turned onto one of the tv's. A big group of the student body was in there, watching the tv in shock and confusion. We didn't know what was going on, but we watched as the towers fell. I was scared. I stood there hugging my best friend, trying not to cry.

We were 14 and naïve. Living in Ottawa at the time, many of us worried, wondering if something would happen in our city. We had to just leave the library after a bit because it was just so overwhelming.

Watched CNN when I got home, and was relieved to be able to finally cry about it. I remember hearing about people jumping, and then seeing them... It was absolutely heart breaking. The image is burnt in my mind of people jumping from so high up there...

CLUCK, thank you for starting this thread. :awwhug: And thanks everyone for sharing your stories, hearing what people went through helps keep it real and more than just some pictures and video footage.

My heart will always be with those who lost loved ones. May peace and strength be with them, and all Americans on this day. :awwhug:

[The Central Scrutinizer]

September 11 is a solemn day for me. It was a huge slap in the face and a giant wakeup call. I realized that no matter how bad and pitiful I thought my life was, good people could have it worse in an instant.

I will never forget.

[Maestra]

My students and I discussed it today during social studies.

How do you explain to third graders WHY something like that happened? They still have so much hope and faith in people, that it's impossible for them to believe that anyone could do something so hurtful. They were 2 when it happened, and have only learned about it from parents or watching movies/video. Some of them described in great detail what they had seen and how they didn't understand it at all. I discovered that one of my kids' grandmothers died in one of the towers. She could barely choke out her words about it.

I am already very emotional about 9/11, but trying to help kids understand? It's heartbreaking.

[gertie]

Yes, it is.

I read some more of this before heading to work and was still choking a bit when I arrived. It was over an hour before I could speak with my coworkers.

Clucky, this was a very touching memorial. And the timed tributes were a very extra touch. I wanted to give (and receive) a hug. Hugs.

Peace be with all.

[Mattie]

I think September 11th should become a holiday where all the stores close, school is out, etc. Like Christmas and Thanksgiving. It's easy to forget a very important day when you go about life as normal. As the years pass more and more people will "forget". Of course they will never truly forget by definition of the word...but memories will likely fade. :(

[Darkrogue]

My students and I discussed it today during social studies.

How do you explain to third graders WHY something like that happened? They still have so much hope and faith in people, that it's impossible for them to believe that anyone could do something so hurtful. They were 2 when it happened, and have only learned about it from parents or watching movies/video. Some of them described in great detail what they had seen and how they didn't understand it at all. I discovered that one of my kids' grandmothers died in one of the towers. She could barely choke out her words about it.

I am already very emotional about 9/11, but trying to help kids understand? It's heartbreaking.


I can't imagine talking to young children about it. I teach college freshmen, and they have a hard enough time understanding it.

Not much to add. Anything that I could have said has already been said better by others here. I'm just not good at this kind of thing. Thanks, CLUCK.

Peace, everyone, and God bless (if you're into that, of course).

[CON-FLICKT]

I think September 11th should become a holiday where all the stores close, school is out, etc. Like Christmas and Thanksgiving. It's easy to forget a very important day when you go about life as normal. As the years pass more and more people will "forget". Of course they will never truly forget by definition of the word...but memories will likely fade. :(
Absolutely! I would start the day with a prayer for those who died and specially for their families because they are left with the "why"s and the "what if"s for many many years to come! It only makes sense to show the rest of the world that such acts only strenghten our unity and brings people together.

[Maestra]

It's that time again. I watched the film United 93 today. It was the first time I could get myself to watch it.

It still hurts my heart to think of that day.

[LOST lunatic]

I know. I was at work and went home for lunch to watch the tv and really didn't want to go back it was so horrible. Everybody that day was stunned and quiet. It's very hard to watch that even now and I get all choked up.

[Lostitute]

I've not seen that movie. But I remember 9/11 very well. I had just arrived at work, and wondered why I didn't have the usual suspects callin' me. My boss had turned on the TV in the conference room, and she and I and a few others stared at the screen in disbelief for what seemed to be an eternity. It was awful, to say the least.

[CLUCK]

Here's a little bump of the audio clips I put together on that day...

Timeline of the events of 9/11, set to the music of Sara Mcloughin - Angel
http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Angel (http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Angel)


Tribute to the heros of United Flight 93, set to the music of Bette Middler - Wind Beneath My Wings
http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute...neath-My-Wings (http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Wind-Beneath-My-Wings)


Tribute to President Bush and NYC Mayor Rudy Gulianni, set to the music of Foo Fighters - Hero
http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Hero (http://media.putfile.com/911-Tribute---Hero)

[brdmom]

I re-read this thread the other night and all the emotions of that day and that week came back. Take a moment to remember those who lost their lives and their loved ones tomorrow, and also take a moment to hug your loved ones extra tight, to say "I love you", to count your blessings. Seven years ago Sept. 11 began like any other day, and in the blink of an eye, it changed for thousands and thousands of people. Cherish your ordinary days.

[gertie]

It was one of the last days I had a lucid converstation with my Dad, too. He and I were crying and crying over the phone.

He didn't make much sense after this horrid event.

Enough said.

[Maestra]

Awww gertie. :awwhug:

[airlybird]

A tragegy felt around the whole world.

God bless America!

The victims...gone but never forgotten.

thier families and everyone who was affected by the events of that terrible day.

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff182/shellyshelly007/th_carols_hands.jpg

[Crissy]

remembering

and teaching my children. They hadn't been born yet.

In some ways its hard to believe its been seven years. And in some ways it feels like it should have been longer.

[ILoveEko]

I was thinking earlier how it doesn't feel like seven years at all. It feels like it's the year 'anniversary' every year come this day.

[azteclady]

May we who are alive today have learned from the courage and generosity so evident and widespread on this day seven years ago.

We won't forget.

[strandediniowa]

May we who are alive today have learned from the courage and generosity so evident and widespread on this day seven years ago.

We won't forget.

Amen.

[TheWatcher]

May we who are alive today have learned from the courage and generosity so evident and widespread on this day seven years ago.

We won't forget.

well said...
*remembers*

[LostViking]

I had the unfortunate luck of being on an air force base as a civilian the morning of 911. I was treating a handicapped child on Patrick Air Force base, giving him physical therapy. I did not know what had happened until I tried to leave via the front gate. I wondered why there was suddenly a tank and barricades at the entrance since they were not there when I arrived. I was taken out of my car at gun point and made to sit in a guard house. I was angry until one of the MP let me watch his television. We watched together as the second tower came down. He explained that they could not let me off the base until they were given the all clear. I learned later that Colin Powell was sent to that base for his safety and that at one point they had planned to divert Bush there as well. Apparently that base had initiated its highest level of security. All I know is an M16 was pointed at me and I felt nothing except a deep urge to comply. I was finally allowed to leave. I went home to watch the news with my wife and 1 year old son.

I had been to the opening day of the world trade center. I remember being with my class in the plaza dressed in red white and blue and trying to turn a perfect summersault with my classmates. I loved those towers since I was a little boy.

When I finally was back with my family, I wept. It brings tears to my eyes to think of it all right now.

[merry slug]

Things I can't imagine:
seeing the second plane hit live on TV
what it was like for those inside when the towers fell.

[aRooZa]

As I rewatched the youtube videos posted here it made me feel devastated and nauseous all over again.

I can and will never forget.

[LOST lunatic]

It is so unimaginable your mind won't even let you imagine the full horror of it all. I cried today watching clips of 7 years ago and it is something we all will never forget and nor should we.

[vincentstuntdbl#23]

I remember it was an odd day for me. Back then I usually worked 3rd shift 12-8am tue nite/wed morn thru sat nite/sun morn. Which meant normally I'd be catching up on ZZZ's till late afternoon tue. But someone had switched with me so I was off that day and had gotten home & was listening to Stern (used to once in awhile -ages ago) & had heard 'bout 1st plane hitting tower. So I flipped on the TV & listened to both. Saw the 2nd hit 'live'(?) I phoned my parents/friends said flip on the TV. All were like what channel. Said 'don't matter'. Also lived over a business & they all came up to watch. Krazy day.
Later that afternoon. I was on 'mind overload' & went to go see American Pie 2 (again) to give my mind a rest. Quite a few peeps were doing the same as me. :(

[ozanna]

I'm from Australia, but it had such a huge impact on us too. We grieved for you guys. It was just so unimaginable. At the time I was working in an Aged Care Facility, and the old folks just could not come to terms with what had happened. I don't think anyone will forget in a hurry.

[merry slug]

http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2355329&postcount=4705

[aRooZa]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Tribute_in_Light_Memorial_September_9_2004.jpg/350px-Tribute_in_Light_Memorial_September_9_2004.jpg

ETA: Wow, I can't believe it's been 8 years since then.. Everything is still so fresh in my mind.

[brdmom]

Thanks for bumping this aRooZa. Thoughts and prayers to everyone who lost loved ones. May we also remember and emulate the compassion that was shown by so many people that day and the days that followed. Hug the ones you love extra tight today.

[airlybird]

Same here, 8 years ago today, and i can specifically remember exactly where i was and what i was doing.
I'd recently found out i was pregnant with my third child, so i'd been "baby shopping" that morning and was back at home sorting through everything i'd bought and putting it all away, so hadn't been watching the TV and my friend (Angie) came rushing through my front door and shouted "Have you seen what the bastards have done to America"...When i turned on the TV and saw what was happening...There are just no words to describe, i was just numb with shock and horror.
It's a day i will never forget, a day i will always take time out to remember the people who lost thier lives that day, thier families thier friends, all those brave rescue workers, citizens and emergency services...It's also a day where i reflect on the bravery, courage and striength of the American people, God bless you all.

[Ltrain]

Thoughts are going out from me as well. I too remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. Seems like yesterday, simply surreal.

[TheWatcher]

*Remembers*

[Frecklestoo]

*burns a candle for all those people lost*

RIP

[merry slug]

The History Channel is doing a good job with the archival footage.

Some of it is so heartbreaking - people calling 911 from the upper floors, the firemen walking to the remaining tower after the first one fell.

[Frecklestoo]

The History Channel is doing a good job with the archival footage.

Some of it is so heartbreaking - people calling 911 from the upper floors, the firemen walking to the remaining tower after the first one fell.I was just watching that...very heartbreaking. That's a day none of us will ever forget.