9-11 7 years ago. Post your stories
LAST LAUGH writes:
That day is still like yesterday to me. I'm still actually pissed off about it. I'll post my story in a bit (working). Interested in hearing thoughts.
9/10/2008 10:15:57 AM
swanee writes:
I heard about the first plane around 9AM and because I work in a media group there are TVs everywhere so I decided to go see what was up. I immediately convinced myself it must have been an accident, a Cesna or a Piper taking a wrong turn or something but when I saw heard Brokaw's voice something told me it was more serious.
I was watching for no more than a minute when I saw the second plane hit. I immediately voiced my concern and what came out of my lips about 3 times in a row was the expression "this isn't good" It was like a delayed reaction, the second plane hit and it wasn't until about 10 seconds after that Brokaw reacted.
I was watching for no more than a minute when I saw the second plane hit. I immediately voiced my concern and what came out of my lips about 3 times in a row was the expression "this isn't good" It was like a delayed reaction, the second plane hit and it wasn't until about 10 seconds after that Brokaw reacted.
9/10/2008 10:31:10 AM
Terry O'Brien writes:
Was working in Boston at Verizon corporate security. The entire town was evacuated except our office because of our job. I took a walk through downtown Boston at lunch and the streets were completely deserted except for cops on everyone street corner. It was very eery.
Now on to the people who I think are the most bizarre people I have ever met, the 9/11 conspiracy people. I will avoid a long ran by simply stating those people are nuts and disrespectful of the memory of those lost on that day.
Now on to the people who I think are the most bizarre people I have ever met, the 9/11 conspiracy people. I will avoid a long ran by simply stating those people are nuts and disrespectful of the memory of those lost on that day.
9/10/2008 10:33:28 AM
Terry O'Brien writes:
Also, I thought intially it was a UFO caught on camera because I was listening to the radio intially and all I kept hearing the person say was "I can't believe what I am seeing in the sky at the world trade center", little did I know.
9/10/2008 10:38:55 AM
SKI and THE 99'ERS writes:
was at the lightship lounge in lawrence having a drink and playing keno watching tv afta my night shift. they cut in from regis or somebody. terrible day and nites followed.
9/10/2008 10:54:21 AM
dog writes:
I was at work when my manager came into my cubicle and said a plane had hit the towers. I can't exactly recall if it was the second plane he told me about. In any case, called the school where my wife works to talk to her and then went home to be with my son. I also remember putting gas in the car "in case" gas prices skyrocketed.
And then, like so many others, I was glued to CNN and other outlets.
Good thread, Terry.
And then, like so many others, I was glued to CNN and other outlets.
Good thread, Terry.
9/10/2008 10:57:41 AM
JimZaroulis writes:
God, I wish I could forget that day but I can't. I don't think I'll ever have that feeling again.
I remember I called in sick for work. I was teaching instrumental music at Tewksbury Elementary schools that year. I wasn't really sick, just had a long night after hanging out at Stormy Monday's in Merrimack the night before where it was open Mic night. Came downstairs after 9:00, probably still buzzed, but anyway...Turned on TV, I think it was Channel 4 and I saw that it was a news story, a building on fire. I thought....man that sucks, hope everyone got out OK ((CLICK)) next channel, same news story, so I thought, hmm, must be an IMPORTANT building that it's on all the channels, so I watched, and noticed it was the WTC, I thought....DAMN, I hope everyone got out ok.....and then......plane #2 shot through the other tower and I think I froze for what felt like forever, probably the closest to an out of body experience. "This did NOT just happen" I thought. But indeed it did. I remember crying, but not "she left me my life sucks" kind of cry, but more like the Indian in those 1970's pollution ads kind of cry. Not uncontrollable tears, but the kind of tears that would roll down your face during a eulogy. The people on the plane, their families, the inevitable deaths of the people on the floors above where the plane hit, the ones who jumped out the windows. Then it was confirmed that one of the pilots was a Dracut native and that the planes were out of Logan. I immediately called a friend of mine (an ex girlfriend) where travelling was a big part of her job, and Tuesday's was usually a travel day. I called her office, didn't get response, emailed, etc. But found out that all of Boston was evacuated that morning. I had a friend who lived in New Jersey who could told me she could see the smoke from her house in Englewood. It's ironic because I remember 9/11 being a beautiful day, much like it is today, but talk about the earth standing still. I had private students that afternoon, kids, adults, etc. and all of them just came in with the same stunned looks on their faces, it was heartbreaking to see 8 year old kids have to live through this. Then I find out that 2 people on the plane were Tewksbury residents. The next day in class (ya I didn't stay out late 2 nights in a row), I had young kids crying because their friend's father was Peter Hashem, one of the victims. You don't want to see young kids crying in remorse for their friend's father, it'll make you bawl your eyes out.
I can't believe it's been 7 years.
I remember I called in sick for work. I was teaching instrumental music at Tewksbury Elementary schools that year. I wasn't really sick, just had a long night after hanging out at Stormy Monday's in Merrimack the night before where it was open Mic night. Came downstairs after 9:00, probably still buzzed, but anyway...Turned on TV, I think it was Channel 4 and I saw that it was a news story, a building on fire. I thought....man that sucks, hope everyone got out OK ((CLICK)) next channel, same news story, so I thought, hmm, must be an IMPORTANT building that it's on all the channels, so I watched, and noticed it was the WTC, I thought....DAMN, I hope everyone got out ok.....and then......plane #2 shot through the other tower and I think I froze for what felt like forever, probably the closest to an out of body experience. "This did NOT just happen" I thought. But indeed it did. I remember crying, but not "she left me my life sucks" kind of cry, but more like the Indian in those 1970's pollution ads kind of cry. Not uncontrollable tears, but the kind of tears that would roll down your face during a eulogy. The people on the plane, their families, the inevitable deaths of the people on the floors above where the plane hit, the ones who jumped out the windows. Then it was confirmed that one of the pilots was a Dracut native and that the planes were out of Logan. I immediately called a friend of mine (an ex girlfriend) where travelling was a big part of her job, and Tuesday's was usually a travel day. I called her office, didn't get response, emailed, etc. But found out that all of Boston was evacuated that morning. I had a friend who lived in New Jersey who could told me she could see the smoke from her house in Englewood. It's ironic because I remember 9/11 being a beautiful day, much like it is today, but talk about the earth standing still. I had private students that afternoon, kids, adults, etc. and all of them just came in with the same stunned looks on their faces, it was heartbreaking to see 8 year old kids have to live through this. Then I find out that 2 people on the plane were Tewksbury residents. The next day in class (ya I didn't stay out late 2 nights in a row), I had young kids crying because their friend's father was Peter Hashem, one of the victims. You don't want to see young kids crying in remorse for their friend's father, it'll make you bawl your eyes out.
I can't believe it's been 7 years.
9/10/2008 11:23:14 AM
BarbieK writes:
Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary...15 years. I think I'll focus on that this year, for a change.
9/10/2008 11:27:12 AM
BarbieK writes:
Shoot, I didnt mean that in a disrespectful way at all, just that our anniversary has been sort of melancholy since that horrible day.
9/10/2008 11:30:31 AM
JimZaroulis writes:
I always like to share this story as well.
About a month later, I got called to do a solo piano gig at the Nashua Marriot. The agent told me it was for Fidelity Investments......the Manhattan Office of Fidelity Investments........who are being put up at the Nashua Marriot to work at the Merrimack office because the Manhattan Ofice of Fidelity Investments was in the WTC. So it wasn't really a party, or cocktail reception, it was more of a "let's try and get our lives together and relax for an hour".
There were about 100 people in the function room. They sat at tables, barely drank, hardly took part in the chicken wing/salad/meatball buffett that was put out for them. I'm supposed to play upbeat music for people who watched half their co-workers perish a month earlier? I didn't even hear anyone talk, except for the occasional, "Nice Hotel don't you think?" or the "have you been to the office yet?" Probably the longest 90 minutes ever. Usually I leave before the guests shuffle out, but I guess they were on a time table and they left the room at the same time. I really didn't feel like talking, and wasn't sure how to react. I never look for praise or accolades, I was actually just happy that I was out early enough to hit a bar. Some smiled, some said "Nice job". But I remember this one person who said "Thank you. We have been through alot, and I organized this event just to have everyone sit and relax and not think of anything for 90 minutes. Being able to do that with some nice music in the background really helped us. Again, Thank you."
That was the most rewarding "Thank You" I have ever gotten in my life.
About a month later, I got called to do a solo piano gig at the Nashua Marriot. The agent told me it was for Fidelity Investments......the Manhattan Office of Fidelity Investments........who are being put up at the Nashua Marriot to work at the Merrimack office because the Manhattan Ofice of Fidelity Investments was in the WTC. So it wasn't really a party, or cocktail reception, it was more of a "let's try and get our lives together and relax for an hour".
There were about 100 people in the function room. They sat at tables, barely drank, hardly took part in the chicken wing/salad/meatball buffett that was put out for them. I'm supposed to play upbeat music for people who watched half their co-workers perish a month earlier? I didn't even hear anyone talk, except for the occasional, "Nice Hotel don't you think?" or the "have you been to the office yet?" Probably the longest 90 minutes ever. Usually I leave before the guests shuffle out, but I guess they were on a time table and they left the room at the same time. I really didn't feel like talking, and wasn't sure how to react. I never look for praise or accolades, I was actually just happy that I was out early enough to hit a bar. Some smiled, some said "Nice job". But I remember this one person who said "Thank you. We have been through alot, and I organized this event just to have everyone sit and relax and not think of anything for 90 minutes. Being able to do that with some nice music in the background really helped us. Again, Thank you."
That was the most rewarding "Thank You" I have ever gotten in my life.
9/10/2008 11:33:45 AM
ginalynn writes:
I definitely remember this day like it was yesterday. I was in my economics class and we were about to watch some movie, as my teacher turned on the tv the news was on that channel and all we saw was basically a building on fire. He proceeded to put the movie in. The whole school found out what happened in our next class when the principal told us over the intercom. I couldn't believe it. Everyone was in a state of shock and no one knew what to say. My teacher ended up putting on the TV and we watched what was happening. I remember my dad was flying out that day for a business trip out of Manchester. At that time we didn't know what airports were effected so I was freaking out. Called my mom at work and I think eventually got a hold of my dad. His plane didn't even take off because of the events. I think the rest of the day none of my classes did anything. Everyone was in a state of shock. I stayed out of school the next day because I was sick and remember just watching CNN all day....Can't believe it has been 7 years and I can remember all that.
9/10/2008 11:48:14 AM
ThatGuy writes:
Barbie - There's never any need to apologize for focussing on the positive rather than the negative.
Yes, something horrific happened on that date, but so did thousands of wonderful things: births, weddings, accomplishments... nothing wrong with that at all.
Yes, something horrific happened on that date, but so did thousands of wonderful things: births, weddings, accomplishments... nothing wrong with that at all.
9/10/2008 11:48:43 AM
BarbieK writes:
Thanks Scott. It's funny the things that stick with you, and probably will forever. I remember sitting and watching this when TV finally got back on schedule. It's 7+ minutes, but worth watching, especially if you're a fan of Letterman. youtube.com/watch?v=xut56q77gk...
9/10/2008 11:55:21 AM
JimZaroulis writes:
I remember that well. And I can't remember if it was that night, or the night after, when he had Dan Rather as a guest.
There was no acting going on at 3:33 of this clip.
youtube.com/watch?v=x2ocnoquu...
There was no acting going on at 3:33 of this clip.
youtube.com/watch?v=x2ocnoquu...
9/10/2008 12:10:37 PM
ThatGuy writes:
Okay - so I will admit that over the past several years, I have grown irritated at how some politicians (read-into that however you like) have been using 9/11 and terrorism as a way of using fear to manipulate our opinions... This is not the thread for debating the politics of it - BUT, I was seriously starting to not only be de-sensitized to what happened, but getting annoyed when the "date" was used in ways that seems whore-ish... to use it as a tool. It jaded me to looking-back and putting myself there again.
Watching the Letterman clip brought me RIGHT BACK to how it felt - how we all felt. The REALITY of what happened.
I resisted this thread at first, but I am now glad I succumbed and allowed myself to remember it for what it was... not what politicians USE it as.
Watching the Letterman clip brought me RIGHT BACK to how it felt - how we all felt. The REALITY of what happened.
I resisted this thread at first, but I am now glad I succumbed and allowed myself to remember it for what it was... not what politicians USE it as.
9/10/2008 12:24:43 PM
swanee writes:
My ex's parents were also married that day, and tomorrow will be their 60th anniversary so yeah something wonderful did happen that day.
Sadly, my school (Boston College) lost 11 alumni that day.
Sadly, my school (Boston College) lost 11 alumni that day.
9/10/2008 12:28:45 PM
Hundred $$ Demo writes:
I worked at a company in Nashua. Was talking to someone in an IM when they said "Turn on the news".
I went into the Network Operations Center and turned on the big multicreen projection systems to see the first building on fire. Most of the 30 employees trailed in within minutes, just in time for all of us to see the second plane hit and the subsequent collapse of the towers.
Shortly after that, Nashua Police evacuated the building I was in because it was right next to the FAA Control Center in Nashua. There was a worry that a plane might be flown into it to disrupt all the flights in the northeast and eastern flight corridors.
Left the building, went home and watched the coverage for the rest of the day. Kids got home from school and they were glued to the TV as well.
It's frightening that this is one of those "where we you when..." questions, like "where were you when you heard aboutr Pearl Harbor...", "where were you when you heard about John F Kennedy...","....Martin Luther King...", '...Bobby Kennedy...", and now "...9/11..."
I went into the Network Operations Center and turned on the big multicreen projection systems to see the first building on fire. Most of the 30 employees trailed in within minutes, just in time for all of us to see the second plane hit and the subsequent collapse of the towers.
Shortly after that, Nashua Police evacuated the building I was in because it was right next to the FAA Control Center in Nashua. There was a worry that a plane might be flown into it to disrupt all the flights in the northeast and eastern flight corridors.
Left the building, went home and watched the coverage for the rest of the day. Kids got home from school and they were glued to the TV as well.
It's frightening that this is one of those "where we you when..." questions, like "where were you when you heard aboutr Pearl Harbor...", "where were you when you heard about John F Kennedy...","....Martin Luther King...", '...Bobby Kennedy...", and now "...9/11..."
9/10/2008 12:36:02 PM
JimZaroulis writes:
You're absolutely right Marc about the "..where were you when...". 9/11 is the one for this generation.
9/10/2008 12:40:24 PM
dot writes:
9/11 WAS a day just like today, as a matter of fact....
bright blue skies, clear, sunny, breezy, crisp fall day...
it was my second year teaching at the school i am at now....
we do not have radios or tvs (obviously) in the clasrooms, so i had no idea what was going on at the time. i was teaching the first 4 classes in a row (8am-12:30pm), so i would not have any access that day to a computer or anything.....
but at 9:30am, the principal and campus minister came to my classroom to take one of the ognowski girls from my class. they also retrieved her sister and their cousin charlie.
i did not find out until lunch time what had happened....
2 planes had hit the wtc... captain ognowski was on the second plane.... as was a cousin of one of our teachers
our school was hit very hard.....
and the years that followed, those young ladies are reminded every year about how their wonderful dad died.... and they handle it with grace and dignity.....
the oldest graduated from college in 2008 and is doing wonderfully
the middle daughter is a senior in college
the youngest is now a freshman in college
at graduation in june, i spoke with mrs. ognowski at length and commended her on how her daughters are such wonderful young ladies......even with all the tragedy, they have emerged victorious
bright blue skies, clear, sunny, breezy, crisp fall day...
it was my second year teaching at the school i am at now....
we do not have radios or tvs (obviously) in the clasrooms, so i had no idea what was going on at the time. i was teaching the first 4 classes in a row (8am-12:30pm), so i would not have any access that day to a computer or anything.....
but at 9:30am, the principal and campus minister came to my classroom to take one of the ognowski girls from my class. they also retrieved her sister and their cousin charlie.
i did not find out until lunch time what had happened....
2 planes had hit the wtc... captain ognowski was on the second plane.... as was a cousin of one of our teachers
our school was hit very hard.....
and the years that followed, those young ladies are reminded every year about how their wonderful dad died.... and they handle it with grace and dignity.....
the oldest graduated from college in 2008 and is doing wonderfully
the middle daughter is a senior in college
the youngest is now a freshman in college
at graduation in june, i spoke with mrs. ognowski at length and commended her on how her daughters are such wonderful young ladies......even with all the tragedy, they have emerged victorious
9/10/2008 2:12:28 PM
dot writes:
their dad would be very, very proud.
he was a good man and his legacy lives on in his daughters
he was a good man and his legacy lives on in his daughters
9/10/2008 2:14:05 PM
dog writes:
Dot, I remember that story. Thanks for telling it again.
I was working here then, but an Avid employee was on one of the planes as well. There's a small memorial for him outside.
I was working here then, but an Avid employee was on one of the planes as well. There's a small memorial for him outside.
9/10/2008 2:22:48 PM
ThatGuy writes:
Dog - if you don't mind me asking - in what capacity do you work at Avid...? What part...? A buddy of mine is working there - they haven't picked him up full-time yet. I wasn't sure how "small of a world" it was there and if you worked with anyone that does copy writing. His name is Phil. Just curious.
9/10/2008 2:35:36 PM
Musicmall writes:
For those who were teachers or trainers at that time-how did you possibly keep focused and keep everyone's attention enough to get through the day? I was a corporate trainer at the time and I had just returned from Philadelphia two days before, so I didn't have a class that day but my co-trainer did and I don't know how he did it. . . .
9/10/2008 2:43:22 PM
dog writes:
TG, I work in SQA. Given what I do and the fact that my lab is not in the main building, I doubt I'd have run into him.
9/10/2008 3:43:05 PM
dot writes:
i went to ground zero a few years ago with my son...it was a class field trip to ellis island and the statue of liberty....
it was really weird looking across from liberty island and not seeing the twin towers....
we had a some time on our hands before we had to depart, so my son & i took a walk (it isn't far from where you get the boat) and walked by ground zero.... i got all choked up and teary eyed.... it was even worse for me at the sphere sculpture at liberty park
it was really weird looking across from liberty island and not seeing the twin towers....
we had a some time on our hands before we had to depart, so my son & i took a walk (it isn't far from where you get the boat) and walked by ground zero.... i got all choked up and teary eyed.... it was even worse for me at the sphere sculpture at liberty park
9/10/2008 4:07:33 PM
dot writes:
the sphere was that round bronze sculture that was in the fountain in the plaza of WTC and it survived the attacks. it had been moved to liberty park and a memorial had been set up by people.... all kinds of pictures, poems, candles were there...i got goosbumps just standing there reading as nightime was falling.....very, very haunting...
the park is now undergoing renovations to make a permenant memorial and a more beautiful place to remember and never forget 9/11
the park is now undergoing renovations to make a permenant memorial and a more beautiful place to remember and never forget 9/11
9/10/2008 4:12:50 PM
GOD writes:
I was swimming in a pool next to the retirement home me and my wife were living in at the time. There were these weird egg looking things on the bottom and I've never felt better. Grew these horns, but never felt better. huh?
9/10/2008 4:16:33 PM
Almac77 writes:
I was working construction on a new high rise for MIT when the super told us that a plane had hit the wold trade center and I was like "Really,Where?"I had just worked on the new WTC in Southie and the jets were screaming overhead all day long.He said "New york".I was kind of relieved but not really.He kept coming back with these worsening updates and you could feel the tension in the air.By the time the second Tower fell the jobsite was silent except for the radio news as everyone stood in disbelief.My crew walked out of a mostly empty building around 11am and the news broadcast was on every radio channel all the way home.Traffic was tied up all over the city and I could sense a panicky feeling as I was waiting to get back to rt.2.
9/10/2008 4:57:51 PM
Rush writes:
All I want to say is that
This country has changed since that day
I travel a lot
&
I feel that my freedom is gone,, or almost gone,,, if you compare it to other countries.
& every time I fly, about once a month, I think about it,,,
I think about how this country is still not the same,,, its like
so uneasy sometime
I can't explain it
but, I feel as if it will never be the way it was...
It will never be the way it was
& that fuckin sux
we really need to think about this when we are voting
This country has changed since that day
I travel a lot
&
I feel that my freedom is gone,, or almost gone,,, if you compare it to other countries.
& every time I fly, about once a month, I think about it,,,
I think about how this country is still not the same,,, its like
so uneasy sometime
I can't explain it
but, I feel as if it will never be the way it was...
It will never be the way it was
& that fuckin sux
we really need to think about this when we are voting
9/10/2008 6:20:30 PM
milhouse writes:
One of my best friends was in one of the buildings. he got out. but saw hell.
a family member stepped out of the subway to see bodies falling.
We need to think about this when we are voting.
a family member stepped out of the subway to see bodies falling.
We need to think about this when we are voting.
9/10/2008 6:44:13 PM
milhouse writes:
freedom gone???
what the hell are you talking about.
seriuosly rush, what the hell do you mean by that.
what countries are you talking about??? i need to know.
I have a lot of stamps in my passport, let's compare notes.
what the hell are you talking about.
seriuosly rush, what the hell do you mean by that.
what countries are you talking about??? i need to know.
I have a lot of stamps in my passport, let's compare notes.
9/10/2008 6:46:36 PM
Ronin writes:
Yeah, I don't get Rush's statement either.
We still have way more freedom than most countries. For some reason people like to claim they lost so much yet few can give real examples. Yeah, I get an anal probe everytime I got through the airport but I'd still live here than any where else...and I too have a lot of stamps in my passport and have lived overseas.
We still have way more freedom than most countries. For some reason people like to claim they lost so much yet few can give real examples. Yeah, I get an anal probe everytime I got through the airport but I'd still live here than any where else...and I too have a lot of stamps in my passport and have lived overseas.
9/10/2008 6:52:10 PM
Señor Bacardi writes:
Great Thread Devin...
We ALL should remember.....and never forget....
I understand what Rush says as well ...although we still have the most freedom in the world , a piece of that freedom was taken away from us...It has changed our country....we go on and live our lives...time usually heals ..but we should always remember the feelings we all had on that day and learn lessons from that day .
Not to get political...but everyone (Dems,Repubs,conservatives, liberals) what ever you want to call them, felt the same way about that day.
We also felt the same about taking whatever steps we had to take to stop this from ever happening again.
Unfortunately, as the years pass some of our views change and the United American bonds we had ..have also changed.
Never forget !!!!
Thanks for the thread Devin..
Senor
We ALL should remember.....and never forget....
I understand what Rush says as well ...although we still have the most freedom in the world , a piece of that freedom was taken away from us...It has changed our country....we go on and live our lives...time usually heals ..but we should always remember the feelings we all had on that day and learn lessons from that day .
Not to get political...but everyone (Dems,Repubs,conservatives, liberals) what ever you want to call them, felt the same way about that day.
We also felt the same about taking whatever steps we had to take to stop this from ever happening again.
Unfortunately, as the years pass some of our views change and the United American bonds we had ..have also changed.
Never forget !!!!
Thanks for the thread Devin..
Senor
9/10/2008 7:35:16 PM
Señor Bacardi writes:
Oh yeah... I was on my way to work at the Music Mall in Lowell (The Blue House).I stopped at the Brookline NH Village store for coffee just before 9am. It would normally take me 45 minutes to get to Lowell and I was unussually earlythat morning . The TV in the store was on. I watched with the store owner as the 2nd plane hit.
Needless to say I was late for work that morning as usualbut had a reasonable excuse. We had no access to TV or radio at the Music Mall. I bought a small radio and listened in shock all day...It was very hard to focus on work.
Senor
Needless to say I was late for work that morning as usualbut had a reasonable excuse. We had no access to TV or radio at the Music Mall. I bought a small radio and listened in shock all day...It was very hard to focus on work.
Senor
9/10/2008 7:45:34 PM
Keiley writes:
I was at work. The guy building my gradients came in and told me a plane hit the world trade center. I told him to get back to work. I thought to myself. Some single engine plane hit the building by accident. A little while later he came in and said another plane hit the world trade center. I looked it up online.
about 3 hours later we hear loud plane noises above our building in billerica. We go out to see what is going on. a small single engine plane was flying over head and 2 f15 were circling it. Later found out the guy didnt hear the no fly thingie.
a day or 2 later after listening to the news for the past 48 hours while driving I just broke down crying. Pretty fucked up.
about 3 hours later we hear loud plane noises above our building in billerica. We go out to see what is going on. a small single engine plane was flying over head and 2 f15 were circling it. Later found out the guy didnt hear the no fly thingie.
a day or 2 later after listening to the news for the past 48 hours while driving I just broke down crying. Pretty fucked up.
9/10/2008 9:52:13 PM
Rush writes:
I'm glad you responded to me guys
I know we have the most free society in the world
my point is , since after 9 11, I feel uneasy, ,,
I fly a lot, & it always seems like its not over.
I'm sorry, its difficult to explain,
but are we safe?
do we really have our shit together about terrorism ?
will it ever be the way it was, NO, it is different now
I'm not dwelling on it, but there is a good chance that we get hit again.
I know we have the most free society in the world
my point is , since after 9 11, I feel uneasy, ,,
I fly a lot, & it always seems like its not over.
I'm sorry, its difficult to explain,
but are we safe?
do we really have our shit together about terrorism ?
will it ever be the way it was, NO, it is different now
I'm not dwelling on it, but there is a good chance that we get hit again.
9/11/2008 7:06:45 AM
LAST LAUGH writes:
I was working at The Lowell Sun (2nd day on the job) and waiting for my boss to get out of a meeting so I could get some training. The secretary comes in my office and laughingly says "Did you see a plane hit the WTC?" I logged on CNN.com and saw the headline with no picture and turned the radio on. Then I went to secreary and said is there a TV? I went to the Conf room and there were about 20 suits standing in there drinking coffee and laughing/talking. As soon as I walked in the TV showed the 2nd plane hit. I was under the assumption it was just a replay of the 1st one. Someone said it was the 2nd one and they were all saying "wow, how stupid are these pilots? what an idiot! the air traffic controllers are on strike etc." I was the new guy who knew no one and said "are you people serious? We're being attacked". Then a hush came over the roome and the seriousness of it all sank in. It was weird. A news outlet conference room full of corporate people who obviously aren't smart enough to read their own fucking paper and see what's happening in this world! A few minutes later I heard a report that a pilot on one of the planes was from Dracut and I immediately called ny friend Dave who's uncle is the only pilot I know from Dracut. Sure enough...Oganowski's name surfaces and the personal part of the whole day starts. I knew him, ate at his house, hung out on his land, rode dirt bikes, shot guns there etc. Even still when I drive by his house it makes me mad that he had to die like that.
We ended up getting let out around noon (can't understand why sales and non-essential employees were forced to stay) and walking out I saw secret service, FBI or whoever all over Merrimack St. and in our building. Marty Meehan's office was in the lower part of the Low Sun building so they were taking no chances. I went home and watched CNN for an eternity.
Wednesday I had a gig in Fanueul Hall and thre was noone on the road, the airport was closed....to be continued (gotta make a call)
We ended up getting let out around noon (can't understand why sales and non-essential employees were forced to stay) and walking out I saw secret service, FBI or whoever all over Merrimack St. and in our building. Marty Meehan's office was in the lower part of the Low Sun building so they were taking no chances. I went home and watched CNN for an eternity.
Wednesday I had a gig in Fanueul Hall and thre was noone on the road, the airport was closed....to be continued (gotta make a call)
9/11/2008 9:51:24 AM
Kennium writes:
I went to ground zero last year and I can't really describe the way it made me feel. I went back to our hotel and wrote a song about it. I never showed the song to anyone.
I was flying into Logan last night, thinking about how 9/11 changed everything.
I decided to post this song, which I've finished, but never shown to anybody.
It's my way of dealing with 9/11.
kennyhogan.com/timesquare.htm...
I was flying into Logan last night, thinking about how 9/11 changed everything.
I decided to post this song, which I've finished, but never shown to anybody.
It's my way of dealing with 9/11.
kennyhogan.com/timesquare.htm...
9/11/2008 4:55:43 PM
Morganic writes:
That's beautiful Ken. I like the image of "yellow fishes in the stream" to describe traffic moving along the streets, and the old man moving backwards in his head -- remembering.
As we all should each year on this day.
As we all should each year on this day.
9/11/2008 6:05:25 PM
Saxman writes:
I was heading down 93 to boston to work at the Avis rent a car lot in East Boston on Mcllelan hwy right near the airport,
I was listening on the radio and freaking out,
My sisterinlaw and brotherinlaw live in battery park city about
2 blocks from ground zero. and my bros in law used to work in one of the towers, he was there when they bombed it before,
i didnt know if he still worked there and I kept trying to call my wife to find out if they were okay but all the cellphone circiuts were down or busy, I made it down to Avis and the skys were empty except for air force fighter jets circling the city.
it was really eerie, I am getting chills just writing this and thinking about it.
I finally reached my wife about 2hrs later and found out that my bros in law didnt work there anymore thank God.
but there condo was trashed and they couldnt go back to where they lived for about 2 months or so. they had a car parked in a garage near them and they wouldnt even let them in to get it.
to make matters even worse after reading the paper on who was on the plane out of boston but none other than
a roomate of mine from Umass amherst jr and sr year
his name was Peter Hashem originally from Lawrence but lived in Tewksbury with his wife and kids, I lost touch with him
we graduated in 82, and I used to run into him from time to time
I went to his funeral in lawrence it was really sad.
and Ive had solemn thoughts all day long every time I see the calendar is on 9-11
I was listening on the radio and freaking out,
My sisterinlaw and brotherinlaw live in battery park city about
2 blocks from ground zero. and my bros in law used to work in one of the towers, he was there when they bombed it before,
i didnt know if he still worked there and I kept trying to call my wife to find out if they were okay but all the cellphone circiuts were down or busy, I made it down to Avis and the skys were empty except for air force fighter jets circling the city.
it was really eerie, I am getting chills just writing this and thinking about it.
I finally reached my wife about 2hrs later and found out that my bros in law didnt work there anymore thank God.
but there condo was trashed and they couldnt go back to where they lived for about 2 months or so. they had a car parked in a garage near them and they wouldnt even let them in to get it.
to make matters even worse after reading the paper on who was on the plane out of boston but none other than
a roomate of mine from Umass amherst jr and sr year
his name was Peter Hashem originally from Lawrence but lived in Tewksbury with his wife and kids, I lost touch with him
we graduated in 82, and I used to run into him from time to time
I went to his funeral in lawrence it was really sad.
and Ive had solemn thoughts all day long every time I see the calendar is on 9-11
9/11/2008 8:46:32 PM
In My Soul writes:
I was working in Boston at a Construction Company in the office at the time. When news of the 1st plane hit there was a serious buzz around the office and a few executives was in the conference room when I walked in when the second hit, we all just looked at each other, and with out saying a word new the magnitude of the situation.
We had a lot a projects ongoing all around Boston in a lot of the high rises, my self recently in the Fed Reserve Bldg which was right down the road and our office just a couple of blocks over from the WTC (Boston). A lot of Project Manager’s were contacting their supers onsite at some of the high rises for status and word from the building management and consulting with our executives on a course of action to take.
I was getting frantic phone calls from my wife, pregnant at the time at home all freaked out about what happened and wanting me to get out of Boston and home to her. I told her that she was far from Boston and safe, and I was in an unimportant building and I will get on the road as soon as I can.
The feeling of sadness and remorse in the office was so thick, that is was like we just got word of a close family member or best friend that died, even though it was a lot of people we didn’t even know. I’m going to be honest and tell you, that morning yes, I was feeling for the loss of the people of that tragic incident, but it hit me all at once when I realized, and was then more thinking, about the numerous amount of families of the losses that is going to be crushed and what they would be going through, and mostly the children losing their moms and dads. I guess I was more hurt knowing of the pain that was going to follow for the people that had the personal losses.
It was real soon afterwards when I think we all realized how much of a small world it really is, cause there were losses felt so close to home.
The biggest thing that I will never forget was one thing that a coworker said to me. He was another Project Manager hibernating in his office buried at his computer not knowing all that had happened and the commotion in the office. I entered and said that 2 planes had hit the WTC and one crashed into the Pentagon……..He looked at me like I was pulling his leg and said, “yeah right, no way, not here, this is America”
I guess he, and a lot of us as well, got a dose of reality that the USA is not untouchable.
We had a lot a projects ongoing all around Boston in a lot of the high rises, my self recently in the Fed Reserve Bldg which was right down the road and our office just a couple of blocks over from the WTC (Boston). A lot of Project Manager’s were contacting their supers onsite at some of the high rises for status and word from the building management and consulting with our executives on a course of action to take.
I was getting frantic phone calls from my wife, pregnant at the time at home all freaked out about what happened and wanting me to get out of Boston and home to her. I told her that she was far from Boston and safe, and I was in an unimportant building and I will get on the road as soon as I can.
The feeling of sadness and remorse in the office was so thick, that is was like we just got word of a close family member or best friend that died, even though it was a lot of people we didn’t even know. I’m going to be honest and tell you, that morning yes, I was feeling for the loss of the people of that tragic incident, but it hit me all at once when I realized, and was then more thinking, about the numerous amount of families of the losses that is going to be crushed and what they would be going through, and mostly the children losing their moms and dads. I guess I was more hurt knowing of the pain that was going to follow for the people that had the personal losses.
It was real soon afterwards when I think we all realized how much of a small world it really is, cause there were losses felt so close to home.
The biggest thing that I will never forget was one thing that a coworker said to me. He was another Project Manager hibernating in his office buried at his computer not knowing all that had happened and the commotion in the office. I entered and said that 2 planes had hit the WTC and one crashed into the Pentagon……..He looked at me like I was pulling his leg and said, “yeah right, no way, not here, this is America”
I guess he, and a lot of us as well, got a dose of reality that the USA is not untouchable.
9/11/2008 8:57:06 PM
Rick WebGuy writes:
NASA posted this today: nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegalle...
Also, if you want your hair to stand up on the back of your neck, take a listen to the Howard Stern show that morning (listen towards the very end of Part 1 and beginning of Part 2, where they nonchalantly talk about the first plane). Warning: There's some lewd content in Part 1.
Part 1: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 2: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 3: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 4: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 5: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 6: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Would you share these with your children (or grandchildren) when they ask what happened that day?
Also, if you want your hair to stand up on the back of your neck, take a listen to the Howard Stern show that morning (listen towards the very end of Part 1 and beginning of Part 2, where they nonchalantly talk about the first plane). Warning: There's some lewd content in Part 1.
Part 1: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 2: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 3: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 4: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 5: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Part 6: nationalradio.cc/home/comedy/h...
Would you share these with your children (or grandchildren) when they ask what happened that day?
9/11/2008 9:08:58 PM
BarbieK writes:
I had to go to the store that morning and was listening to Howard in the car when the towers fell. Unreal.
9/11/2008 9:42:45 PM
Ronin writes:
I was living in Orlando and working for a company that did primarily theme park construction projects. I got to work and as I did every morning, checked the news on the internet. I saw a plane had hit the tower and like most, thought it was a single engine model off course.
Then the second one hit and I knew immediately we were under attack. I also remember trying to get details from the net but it was so jammed I couldn't get on any news page.
I turned on the radio and we listed and learned the Pentagon had been attacked and we all waited for the next shoe to drop. Then we learned about Flight 93 crashing.
We ended up closing for the day and sent everyone home from all our projects.
About a week later, I called the Air Force Personnel Center and volunteered to return to active duty if they needed me. They called me back about a week later and asked if I was interested in coming back as a civilian employee and I asked if I could get back to New England. They hired me to come up to Hanscom and I've been there ever since.
It's really surreal how that incident changed my life. I had no desire to come back to Government service and planned to eventually get back to working for Walt Disney World.
Now I wouldn't leave as I am proud of my continued service as a civilian airmen supporting our troops on the front lines. I go home every night knowing the work that I and my team does has saved lives and that there are servicemen and women from every branch coming home to their families because of us.
Then the second one hit and I knew immediately we were under attack. I also remember trying to get details from the net but it was so jammed I couldn't get on any news page.
I turned on the radio and we listed and learned the Pentagon had been attacked and we all waited for the next shoe to drop. Then we learned about Flight 93 crashing.
We ended up closing for the day and sent everyone home from all our projects.
About a week later, I called the Air Force Personnel Center and volunteered to return to active duty if they needed me. They called me back about a week later and asked if I was interested in coming back as a civilian employee and I asked if I could get back to New England. They hired me to come up to Hanscom and I've been there ever since.
It's really surreal how that incident changed my life. I had no desire to come back to Government service and planned to eventually get back to working for Walt Disney World.
Now I wouldn't leave as I am proud of my continued service as a civilian airmen supporting our troops on the front lines. I go home every night knowing the work that I and my team does has saved lives and that there are servicemen and women from every branch coming home to their families because of us.
9/11/2008 10:40:04 PM
BackStage grille writes:
I was driving my son to day care I had on Kiss 108. I heard them say the first tower got hit. I thought they were joking. I call my sitter and she told me it wasn't a joke. I rushed to her house to see the second plane crash. When i got to work i put on the TV to see the towers fall. My phone rang of the hook that day. So many people wanted to talk. I was working at my concrete company that day. My phone was going crazy
9/12/2008 8:34:43 AM
billymac writes:
I was working at John Hancock in the Clarendon building across from the tower. Our group was in tech support so we were online and the word traveled fast. Being next to the tower we wanted to leave but our boss said wait a while. I went downstairs and looked across to the tower and there were several limos lined up picking up the brass. The upper management was on floor 59 at that time so I didn't blame them, but went back grabbed my stuff and went home without telling my boss.
My cousin flew Flight 11 on a regular basis for work. On Friday he told his Mom he was taking flight 11 to LA on Monday or Tuesday. When his mom, my aunt, saw the news she freaked and called his work who told her he had flown out Monday and was in LA. Of course in LA it was 5:44 AM so cousin was sleeping and wouldn't know to call his family and say he had taken the Monday flight and was safe. Close call and scary few minutes for his Mom.
Went to Ground Zero alone in 2005 and it was a very moving experience.
My cousin flew Flight 11 on a regular basis for work. On Friday he told his Mom he was taking flight 11 to LA on Monday or Tuesday. When his mom, my aunt, saw the news she freaked and called his work who told her he had flown out Monday and was in LA. Of course in LA it was 5:44 AM so cousin was sleeping and wouldn't know to call his family and say he had taken the Monday flight and was safe. Close call and scary few minutes for his Mom.
Went to Ground Zero alone in 2005 and it was a very moving experience.
9/12/2008 5:14:32 PM
Erin writes:
I was in my Ancient History class in the Library building at Salem State. The class had just started plannng a trip to a dig in Egypt for the next summer and we all left class excited. When we came downstairs after class we could barely walk out of the elevator there were so many people standing in the main lobby area staring up at the TV's. We all watched the 2nd plane hit.
My friend and I left in a bit of a daze and I drove home - no radio, no music. I literally spent the whole day sitting on the floor staring at the TV. I don't think I ate for the rest of the day. The only other thing I did that day was hug the crap out of my family that we were all safe and together.
My friend and I left in a bit of a daze and I drove home - no radio, no music. I literally spent the whole day sitting on the floor staring at the TV. I don't think I ate for the rest of the day. The only other thing I did that day was hug the crap out of my family that we were all safe and together.
9/12/2008 7:28:03 PM
P78 writes:
You are 100% right Stunt about the "..where were you when...". 9/11 is the one for this generation...
I was in my communications room...Every single flat screen was showing the horror that transpired that day. Only members of my Team were present as the room is secure but after realizing the scope of what had happened, I had a fed a video pipe of CNN to Auditorium A for the rest of the facility to view. Needless to say there was a state of shock throughout the entire facility. Most non-essential people went home for the day. I stayed but did not do much. Seems so long ago. It is too bad most Americans do not think about 911 when they have their polical discussions about Iraq, Iran, and/or the Middle East.Never forget.
GOD Bless America !!
Wayne
I was in my communications room...Every single flat screen was showing the horror that transpired that day. Only members of my Team were present as the room is secure but after realizing the scope of what had happened, I had a fed a video pipe of CNN to Auditorium A for the rest of the facility to view. Needless to say there was a state of shock throughout the entire facility. Most non-essential people went home for the day. I stayed but did not do much. Seems so long ago. It is too bad most Americans do not think about 911 when they have their polical discussions about Iraq, Iran, and/or the Middle East.Never forget.
GOD Bless America !!
Wayne
9/17/2008 3:55:00 PM
BarbieK writes:
I think about 9/11 to what I fear to be an almost abnormal degree. It crosses my mind often; there is a bridge in Methuen I drive over daily that bears the names of the Methuen residents lost that day. I absolutely consider who would be best suited to deal with a situation like that when I vote for president; you'd be foolish not to.
The History Channel ran a special "102 Minutes That Changed the World", comprised of mostly amateur video shot from around the city that day and pieced together in an exact timeline; there were clips from dorm rooms, apartments, pedestrians, etc. It was almost unwatchable but at the same time it's like a counterpressure, you have to relive that feeling to make sure you never forget it.
See? I think about it a LOT.
The History Channel ran a special "102 Minutes That Changed the World", comprised of mostly amateur video shot from around the city that day and pieced together in an exact timeline; there were clips from dorm rooms, apartments, pedestrians, etc. It was almost unwatchable but at the same time it's like a counterpressure, you have to relive that feeling to make sure you never forget it.
See? I think about it a LOT.
9/17/2008 8:22:54 PM
Hundred $$ Demo writes:
There were a number of specials on cable all documenting different people's perspectives, video not before seen, every day lives of civilians who just happened to be in NYC, and started filming when the events started to happen.
They were all very chilling. Listening to Howard Stern's clips above really brings some of it home, you forget how much information was flying around at the time, the number of planes that hit the towers, explosions in DC, other explosions in other areas of the country, etc.
I, for one, would not mind one bit if every TV station, cable and broadcast, was made to replay the video from that day EVERY Sept 11th, in real time, just as a reminder.
One caller to Howard Stern's program referred to it exactly what it was
Our generation's Pearl Harbor.
They were all very chilling. Listening to Howard Stern's clips above really brings some of it home, you forget how much information was flying around at the time, the number of planes that hit the towers, explosions in DC, other explosions in other areas of the country, etc.
I, for one, would not mind one bit if every TV station, cable and broadcast, was made to replay the video from that day EVERY Sept 11th, in real time, just as a reminder.
One caller to Howard Stern's program referred to it exactly what it was
Our generation's Pearl Harbor.
9/17/2008 8:33:56 PM
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