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Years later, I got visit Ground Zero in New York. I went to visit a friend who lived on Long Island, and we went there. It was eerie. I knew the moment we were headed in the direction of Ground Zero. It was like I could feel the wound of Sept. 11th long before we got there. We walked there, and it was just...I can't even describe it. I did see the large metal cross everyone had been talking about, and the area was just so big, such a large wound in the earth and in the city of New York.

What got me the most was a church that had survived completely intact right across the street from Ground Zero. I cried when I saw it because I remembered that church from years earlier in the 1990's when my family had come to New York, and we had visited the Twin Towers, even went up in one of them. That church was still there, untouched, a true miracle. I was glad I got to see Ground Zero. Being there was something I'll never forget either.
 
I'll never forget this day either. I was on my way to work at a University computer lab in Hammond, Lousiana, and was trying to find music on my radio. I actually got irritated because I couldn't find any music, and then it hit me that there might be a reason there was no music. I remember stopping on my favorite station, and hearing the panic in one of my favorite radio DJ's voice as he recounted what happened to the Twin Towers that morning. I got to work, and we ended up having to stay there. I remember someone had a radio on loud in a hallway outside the door, and we could listen to it. I also remember every computer having a person in front of it, me included, trying to find out what was going on. I even remember that two people from my favorite TV show were in New York for a scifi convention, and the fan list I was on was worried sick about them (turns out they were not on the same side of New York as the Twin Towers, but still, it was scary).

I remember the panic, the fear, the crappy air condition system of the crap apartment I lived in coming on that night and scaring me half to death because it sounded like a jet engine, and also most TV stations either off the air, news about the attack, or a couple having nonstop programming in case you didn't want to watch about the attack. I even remember hearing Hollywood shut down and DisneyWorld was closed. I remember seeing stories about recovery efforts, and stories about that day, and being so scared and vulvnerable. It is a day I'll never forget for the rest of my life.

Today, I pray for those who lost their lives, those who helped in the recovery including those service dogs, some who literally worked until they died to aide in finding survivors, but most of all, I pray for all of us, not only in the USA, but around the world who were affected by this tragedy.

I also have a friend who was born today, long before it was a tragedy, and I also celebrate her birthday. It's a good reminder to me that this day wasn't always a day of tragedy.

Finally, big hugs to all of my friends here too. I love you guys!!!! Thanks for letting me share this with you!

Thank you for that. I always feel a little saddened since today is my birthday as well. I have spent the day remembering....reflecting...I don't think I'll ever say celebrating ever again though. I prefer to 'celebrate' my b-day at a different time. I had a lovely day with my husband on Friday, went out for lunch, bought mums for my front walk...today my daughter is making me a cake. But I will never forget.
 
Does anyone else remember the media showing the radar of all the planes in air over the nation ,at that time? Thousands of dots lit up ,all having to land somewhere .
 
Thank you Concerned Papa - I hesitated to first post the plea for prayers for this child because we are marking this day for the 9/11 posts and again hesitated to post the news that we have indeed been given a miracle this day.

His parents found him sitting on the family sofa at three this morning - the abductor dropped him off at home and apparently opened the door to the house to let the child in. The abductor has yet to be captured but we have our miracle - this child is safe. Thank you again.

JMO and FWIW...Anytime a missing child has been found and returned home safe is Most deserving of a post here. I can not think of a better day (9/11) to receive such wonderful news. We can mourn the tragedy that happened 10 years ago but we can also rejoice in miracles that happen today. There is room for both. JMO.
 
Thank you for that. I always feel a little saddened since today is my birthday as well. I have spent the day remembering....reflecting...I don't think I'll ever say celebrating ever again though. I prefer to 'celebrate' my b-day at a different time. I had a lovely day with my husband on Friday, went out for lunch, bought mums for my front walk...today my daughter is making me a cake. But I will never forget.

:partyguy: :bdscroll: :cake4u:
 
Does anyone else remember the media showing the radar of all the planes in air over the nation ,at that time? Thousands of dots lit up ,all having to land somewhere .

Yes, I do. I watched a special on the other night and they had air traffic controllers giving their perspective on what happened that day. One man stated that landing all those planes that day without incident was a feat of airmanship that had never before been attempted but carried out to the "T".
 
I'm in Atlantic Canada and 30,000 people stranded in the air landed here and were brought into our homes and became family. Yesterday there was a picture in the paper of a group of Americans going back to tiny little Gander, Newfoundland to pay a visit and say thank you again on the anniversary. Friends forever. I believe this group had furnished laptops for a whole school as a thank you.
 
Today I received a message from a young lady my husband and I took custody of 10 yrs ago. She said Aunt Sparky, do you know it was 10 yrs ago you took custody of my sister and I? Do you remember coming to school and picking us up on 9/11, because you wanted us safe at home with you. I want you to know we love you for what you've done for us and will never forget. My husband and I have 3 of our own besides the 2 we took custody of. They were all in 3 different schools and I had a plan to get them home as fast as I could.

I told the young lady I would do it all over again, all of it for they have blessed my life along with my own children.

May God Bless each and everyone of you as we have been blessed.
 
I'm in Atlantic Canada and 30,000 people stranded in the air landed here and were brought into our homes and became family. Yesterday there was a picture in the paper of a group of Americans going back to tiny little Gander, Newfoundland to pay a visit and say thank you again on the anniversary. Friends forever. I believe this group had furnished laptops for a whole school as a thank you.

I am Canadian also and was so proud of you in Atlantic Canada. And still am. I hope your life has been blessed by your acts of kindness....:blowkiss:
 
SAR%252520dogs.jpg

A shout out to the SAR dogs and their wonderful handlers, who worked so hard during the post-9/11 search and rescue mission. Sometimes heroes wear fur.
 
I too was shocked when I first heard... In fact, I was sure it was a horrible accident. I saw the 2nd plane hit live from a little TV screen and the TV announcer say something like "what was that, another plane?" (he was in shock as well)... We all cried for weeks...

My husband was recovering from surgery at the time. He was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma months earlier and had it removed but the wound wouldn't heal and for months he was in and out of the hospital with horrible infections. 911 took our minds off our problems (his cancer) and ultimately made us strong and able to fight. He has been cancer free for 11 years now, yippie!

A beautiful memory I have is that of my little farm town and all the beautiful American flags flying from every home, shop, etc. I was sad today when my little one and I drove around, not too many American flags flying... In any case, my little one and I dropped off a lovely thank you picture she drew for our local fireman and a card to get a few pizza's...

I've been reading posts from lovely WS posters from different countries and just wanted to say THANK YOU! What a lovely bunch of people you all are! Im so glad I found WS's!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I work right outside of the Lincoln Tunnel and September 11, 2001 was such a clear day that NYC looked like it was ten feet away. I had a CD playing on the ride to work, so I had no idea that a plane had hit the 1st tower. As I drove on RT 3, I remember looking up and seeing the 1st tower smoking, and then I noticed an airplane. Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports are close by, so that not too odd, but I remember thinking how close the plane was to the buildings – and then I saw it fly right into the 2nd tower and explode. When I turned on the radio, I then understood we were under attack.

The internet back then was nowhere close to what it is today, so information was slow in coming and the desk and cell phones were out. I remember watching the towers fall and seeing all of the smoke. I also remember thinking is this it? Is there more to come? What is happening elsewhere?

There is a hospital right near my office, and I heard that they closed the Lincoln Tunnel and RT 3 so that emergency vehicles could bring any injured people to the area hospitals. Sadly, I don’t think anyone was taken there - because we now know that people either got out of the towers or they perished.

In the days after the attack, I remember American Flags everywhere. And, to this day, there are American flags displayed on almost every overpass on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. I also remember the stories from my coworkers who had been traveling that day - and the kindness of strangers who helped them find their way home. I woman I worked with stayed at a stranger's - but certainly a very kind persons - house in OK for three days. I also remember our great and loyal friends to the North who took in so many people who had their planes diverted to Canada.

God Bless America
 
Every family in America has been saddened, wounded, strengthened and personally touched by the horror of the atrocity of ten years ago. Ours is a three generation military family so we, along with so many others, have our scars. But only scars and disabilities ~ not holes in our hearts like the thousands of others.
I honor, love and respect the known heros of 9/11/01 and all of those who have kept us safe since then. But my favorite honored ones are those we have not had the privilege to know. The quiet ones who never told or the dead ones who tried to save people who also died. We don't know about them. We can't call their personal acts of heroism out by name but they're there. The selfless acts of the common people have been awesome for me to hear with all of the coverage this past week; yet I know there were many others that have gone unrecognized. Those people humble me.
I've said America only because I know it best. I think the whole world was shocked, offended and hurt by this horror and had much the same reaction. Help from our Canadian neighbors came within hours and support from other countries fighting the battle has lasted ten years now. Their heros also have a special place as they were not as closely vested.
For me, ten years ago, I saw it on TV. I cried. I didn't know anyone who was involved at the Towers, on the planes or at the Pentagon. But I knew I was witnessing a life changer. Today, when my son and family came to our traditional Sunday dinner we couldn't talk about what day it was. His scars are not yet that well healed.
 
Every family in America has been saddened, wounded, strengthened and personally touched by the horror of the atrocity of ten years ago. Ours is a three generation military family so we, along with so many others, have our scars. But only scars and disabilities ~ not holes in our hearts like the thousands of others.
I honor, love and respect the known heros of 9/11/01 and all of those who have kept us safe since then. But my favorite honored ones are those we have not had the privilege to know. The quiet ones who never told or the dead ones who tried to save people who also died. We don't know about them. We can't call their personal acts of heroism out by name but they're there. The selfless acts of the common people have been awesome for me to hear with all of the coverage this past week; yet I know there were many others that have gone unrecognized. Those people humble me.
I've said America only because I know it best. I think the whole world was shocked, offended and hurt by this horror and had much the same reaction. Help from our Canadian neighbors came within hours and support from other countries fighting the battle has lasted ten years now. Their heros also have a special place as they were not as closely vested.
For me, ten years ago, I saw it on TV. I cried. I didn't know anyone who was involved at the Towers, on the planes or at the Pentagon. But I knew I was witnessing a life changer. Today, when my son and family came to our traditional Sunday dinner we couldn't talk about what day it was. His scars are not yet that well healed.

Very nice post.

God bless America!
 
It was a scary day. I remember being terrified. I was with my team (I was on a hostage rescue team when I was working for the federal govt) and we were running scenarios that morning. One of our members came in late and told us a plane hit the WTC. We all thought it was a freak accident (I think a lot of people did) and then the second plane hit. Our warden had to come and get us from training because we didn't have a tv or radio at the training center and he wanted us to be aware what was going on.

By the time we got back to our offices from our training, the the Pentagon had been hit. I remember thinking, is a plane going to fall on our heads next? I felt relatively safe being in a federal prison, because I knew it was unlikely terrorists would find value in harming inmates. But I was scared for our country and for friends and family who were elsewhere.

My coworkers and I stayed glued to the TV all day. I had many tough, hardened inmates on my caseload, but that day we were all reduced to scared and united Americans.
 
Does anyone else remember the media showing the radar of all the planes in air over the nation ,at that time? Thousands of dots lit up ,all having to land somewhere .

I just today watched the show with that radar footage on it. Something like 4000 aircraft in the air and they got them ALL down except for the hijacked ones, as well as putting a halt to all take-offs except AirForce One and the fighters.
Amazing feat - the head of National Air Traffic Control was afraid he'd lose his job for ordering it! but as it turned out he did exactly the right thing.
 
I was living in SoCal and working in an offiice full of talk radio fans so there were umpteen radios to listen to that day

at this same time, a little after midnight, I had just arrived home from work. I went out on the balcony, thinking about the day's events. what especially bothered me was the fear and terror experienced by the people in the planes and towers and the pentagon

I heard thunder in the distance but something about the sound wasn't right and then I realized that it was continuous. it began to sound like a bowling ball rolling down an alley. rolling and rolling, and getting louder and closer. I felt an overwhelming fear travel thru my body. my mind tossed out the stored tidbit that some of the bombing runs in Viet Nam were described as Rolling Thunder and the rolling thunder I was hearing was nearly overhead

for a few sickening seconds I was sure that it was an enemy plane, which was followed by the realization that I was about to pee down my leg. I stopped it just in time. I'd never come close to feeling such terror before and I hope I never feel it again

the plane passed over and went beyond me and after awhile it turned and traveled for awhile and then came back in my direction again. I stayed out there long enough to realize that it was traveling an oval path. it stayed in the "neighborhood" for what seemed like hours

when I calmed down I realized that, since Disneyland was 2 miles away, I was in a high alert area. while I was glad that my fear was unfounded, I was devastated when thinking about 1000s of souls who lived their last moments in such terror on that day

our Boy Scouts did their thing so we had lots and lots of flags on the lawns in our communities today. one store has a ginormous flag which is a local landmark and it was at half staff. every town here has a Main Street and every Main Street was covered in flags
 
Me and my then-fiancee (now husband) were staying in a hotel in Linthicum Maryland while we were visiting my mom and sis. We had flew in around September 9, so we had a rental car. We watched it all unfold on TV, in our room and in the lobby. My husband's dad got hold of us the next day and told me a co-worker of mine was stranded in DC with her son. She had been there to accept an award, and they were in the White House when the chaos began. She says they were all escorted out, but she didn't know what was going on for the longest time. She said a man stopped her on the street and criticized her for having a child out on the streets during this emergency.

Anyway, my husband's now-deceased dad got her in touch with us. By the grace of God she got a taxi to where we were staying. We all drove to Memphis in a sub-compact car, four of us and all of our luggage. Dad in law picked us up from there and we drove home to Mississippi.
 
As I drove on RT 3, I remember looking up and seeing the 1st tower smoking, and then I noticed an airplane. Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports are close by, so that not too odd, but I remember thinking how close the plane was to the buildings – and then I saw it fly right into the 2nd tower and explode.

God Bless America

snipped

You saw the plane fly into the tower with your own eyes? Wow, talk about an image you'll never forget. God bless! :candle:
 
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