9/11 twenty years after

[Tommy-G]

My niece was born 9/11 in the Midwest and her mother watched everything unfold from the hospital room. When they came to visit us in NJ they wanted to go to the memorial.
Please, if you haven’t gone….go! It’s so tastefully done. It’s eerily quiet inside when I went. Everyone was respectful and yes, you will cry. You will feel anger but I truly feel closer to the survivors and those who passed after going.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

I also can’t go to the memorial. I’ve stayed next to it on business trips, walked by, but can’t go in.

The day is somber and solemn for me. Somber in remembrance of those who were in the buildings and solemn in reflection of those who risked health and life to run into the buildings as well as those on the PA flight.

I was in a business meeting with Japanese partners in another city in the US. They had a satellite office in one of the towers and we watched together in our conference room, each comforting the other. Another partner was en-route from London and his flight was returned to London (fortunately he wasn’t far enough along to get stranded somewhere overseas).

The days after were weird. In addition to the great coming together, there was the long period of no air traffic, and every little thing immediately was feared to be a terrorist attack, even in the inconsequential little town I lived in (and the city I worked in had already removed itself as a target by years of mismanagement and neglect). Everything really is local.

It amazes me that a full generation now either did not experience 9-11, was too young to “feel” it, and/or has been taught nothing about it. Perhaps that’s why ground zero is a tourist attraction and not really a memorial, except for us oldsters.

I understand better the reverence my parents had for WWII memorials, etc. And I understand better why veterans rarely talked about their experiences.

While places such as Ground Zero and the USS Arizona are memorials to those that died, the real situation is those are places where people died. It's a cemetery and in the case of Ground Zero a crime scene. This gets lost on those that look to place their mug shot on some social media site.

I visited Ground Zero after the area around was opened up to the public and just after when all the debris was hauled off. The other sickening sight I saw was along the one side of site, there were idiots who had their kiosks set up peddling their "9/11" merchandise. I was beside myself seeing these low lives looking to make a buck from this tragedy.

[6oclockshadow]

I had just moved to the US in August of 2001 for a job with State Street. On 9/11 I was on a United Flight from BOS to HOU. At about 9:10 the captain came on and told us the flight was being diverted to Shreveport, and that there had been an incident. We didn't know what was going on until late in the descent when cel service came back on, then went back out from overload. There were fighter jets escorting us. At Shreveport, after screening to leave the airport I raced to the hertz counter, and got one of the last rentals--a 2001 maroon chevy monte carlo- i remember the details so vividly. Canceled my hotel stays for the week and proceeded to drive to boston, I stopped just out side of charlotte to pick up a stranded colleague who couldn't get a rental. In the early hours the next day we drove past the still smoking pentagon and then lower Manhattan. Saying it was a surreal experience is an understatement. I miss the post 9/11 days when everyone seemed to be on the same page. SO much has changed in 20 years.

[King Rudi]

I will forever remember every detail of that morning. My experience is nothing compared to others. My biggest concern were the two little monsters who were 1 and 2 years of age at the time. Twenty years ago, I was pretty poor and trying to take care of my 2 young sons and trying to rebuild a broken marriage. We had no TV or news to watch what was unfolding. Although, in TN, we are far from the Pentagon and NY; I am not far from Chattanooga which would also be a very desirable point of attack. I remember being scared myself, being scared for my children, wondering how this would effect the rest of their lives and how much different their childhood would be.

Even though I know no one personally, who died that day; the feeling of being overwhelmed, scared and unsure of what was to transpire next still lingers to this day. I suppose I represent those of us who were not directly associated in some way, yet still felt the hurt of our entire nation. Even typing this, the emotions seem to flood right back.

[Littlebear]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

....
I can't bring myself to go to the memorial. I will at some point. I know I will be overwhelmed. Although I didn't lose anyone that day, I know many of those I encountered daily are gone.

Eliz & I have not gone to the memorial.
We had a very good friend working in Cantor Fitzgerald that day.

[ramman434]

I was 12 years old, in 7th grade and just leaving my 1st period science class. My friend, Kris, came running down the empty hallway towards the classroom yelling that World War 3 had just started.
As we went on to another wing of the school, every classroom had a tv on glued to the news. We got to my History class for the next period, where we watched the news unfold. We didn't go to any other classes the rest of the day.

I remember wondering if I would be drafted once I turned 18, since it was obvious we were going to war (I never served but will always be thankful of those friends/family members that did/have).

[UncleWede]

I was a civil servant working for the Navy here on the west coast. Mark and Brian were NOT laughing that morning on the way to work. I got to the base, went to the commissary, and watched the second plane hit. They locked us down, then soon sent us home.

I had a new son, and was in a heightened sense of foreboding afterwards, scouting my neighborhood for places to shelter in case the next step (nuclear) were taken by terrorists. Can I defend that spot under the freeway, the drainage ditch? Will we be able to bring the chickens? How long will I last after the insulin runs out?

Saturday I'm going with family to see a Dodger game. I imagine there will be something patriotic thruout the game.

BUT, we MUST learn to forgive. Without that, the hatred and violence will continue. It's a hard lesson that we as a species have been unable to learn yet, but I have faith in all of you!!!

[Gregrobin]

I remember it well, and always will. I listened to the whole thing unfold on a little radio at my work desk on NPR. All of the news websites were crashing, it was 2001 after all :-) It was not until I got home at 8PM that I saw the first video, and was horrified.

I had dinner with a new friend recently who moved here from NYC. He was on his way to one of the towers for a meeting when the plane hit. He got out of the city as fast as he could because he knew this was big. He had friends in the building that died, some got out. He had tears in his eyes as he was sharing this.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

I wish some of the fools that visit Ground Zero would show some respect. One of the few times, I've gotten really angry at anyone.

I haven't been in a few years, how are people being disrespectful?

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

It's an interesting thing, how many responded to 9/11 who are not from the US, online in forums. I can't speak for anyone else, but I personally have noticed that the events of 9/11 gave many outside the US the unique opportunity to either project their conspiracies onto the US citizens OR use the events as a way to poke fun at the US. Most people I think mourned along side our great Nation, in solidarity. But others have had nefarious intentions when "discussing" the events of 9/11 on public international forums. Just a reminder, we see you.

May God continue to bless America and to the Republic for that which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

This is just nonsense.

Having been overseas when it happened, and interacting with people from multiple countries and continents, I can firmly say that all of the conspiracy theories come from INSIDE the US. Not outside.

Without a single exception, the folks I met commented how horrible the event was, how sorry they were that such a thing happened, and they went out of their way to make me and my group feel safe and welcome during a very stressful time.

[DougVA]

I was a civil servant in Washington, DC. - just back from 11 years overseas. When the third plane hit the Pentagon, our building was quickly evacuated. I remember that the subway system closed immediately and we walked across Washington and over the bridge to Virginia. Fortunately, it was a spectacular fall day. Once in Virginia, my wife eventually met me with the car and we drove home. Our two boys were sent home from school and we gathered to watch the day's events on TV, understanding that nothing would ever be the same again. Must have felt something like Pearl Harbor for my Dad's generation.

[shoei]

Originally Posted by Captain Blood

I haven't been in a few years, how are people being disrespectful?

.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Captain Blood

I haven't been in a few years, how are people being disrespectful?

In addition to the photos shoei posted up, the ones I saw were doing the selfie crap along with laughing and carrying on.

[F30lolz]

I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I was about 90 minutes north and heard everything on the radio in my e34 on the way to work. My job told me to turn around and go home as well as my dads job. We stayed home watching replays on what happened and let’s just say life on Earth sucked. I knew someone who lost his father and brother in one of the towers while he was up at SUNY Albany. Everyday that semester he drove home to be with his mother and left to go back early in the morning. Felt so bad for him and for everyone else who was lost and the ones left behind.

I almost joined the armed forces in 1997 but TBH I chickened out. During the pandemonium, I wanted blood badly. We were asleep at the switch on that day and unfortunately it takes a horrible event to make us wake up and realize how vulnerable we were.

Just 2-3 months ago I visited the pools and it’s just filled with sadness. For those people taking selfies with blow up dolls, fuck you heartless bastards. We did rebuild and many people have forgotten about 9/11 but I never will. People jumping from the towers is something that will forever be frozen in my memory.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I was about 90 minutes north and heard everything on the radio in my e34 on the way to work. My job told me to turn around and go home as well as my dads job. We stayed home watching replays on what happened and let’s just say life on Earth sucked. I knew someone who lost his father and brother in one of the towers while he was up at SUNY Albany. Everyday that semester he drove home to be with his mother and left to go back early in the morning. Felt so bad for him and for everyone else who was lost and the ones left behind.

I almost joined the armed forces in 1997 but TBH I chickened out. During the pandemonium, I wanted blood badly. We were asleep at the switch on that day and unfortunately it takes a horrible event to make us wake up and realize how vulnerable we were.

Just 2-3 months ago I visited the pools and it’s just filled with sadness. For those people taking selfies with blow up dolls, fuck you heartless bastards. We did rebuild and many people have forgotten about 9/11 but I never will. People jumping from the towers is something that will forever be frozen in my memory.

I'm quoting you because of your mention of the memories of the people jumping from the towers.

My 9/11 story goes like this. I had just settled on my house and was in the process of unpacking. I had passed out in my bedroom on the floor and turned on the TV in a half conscious state. I snapped to full attention when the image of the first plane hitting the WTC flashed up on the TV screen. As I watched, the news coverage, the second one hit and then the talk from the newscasters and my own realization that we were under attack. Even though I was on PTO, it was my turn to carry the government duty pager and cell phone for the program I was supporting at the time. I immediately called into the office to see what they wanted me to do. To my surprise, I was able to get through even though most people couldn't make calls. One of the government managers picks up the phone and was surprised to hear from me. I asked if I needed to report into the office. He said stay put as they're evacuating the compound....which took 2 hours. I still remember the sense of helplessness as I wanted to do something but couldn't as I was told to stay put at home. I walked outside of my house and stared up into the sky. The silence was both deafening and scary. Then the rage started to build up in me.

About a year or so later after 9/11, I got the chance to support certain operations with the now war on terror. I will always look back at my time supporting the mission with fondness as I was able to provide some payback.

But to the point of why I quoted your post. When we were allowed back into the office, one of my friends was freaking out about this new normal. She sent out an email to a few of us stating how the government needs to do more to protect us and she was in fear of her life. She had put a few of the pictures of the people that jumped off the Towers in her email. It enraged me seeing how it's all about her. It's funny how the money rolling in because of the level of security clearance we all were able to obtain was fine before 9/11. But never recognized that the type of work and where we worked has always painted a bulls eye on us. One thing I've learned over the years since, there's no shortage of selfish idiots.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by dmatre

This is just nonsense.

Having been overseas when it happened, and interacting with people from multiple countries and continents, I can firmly say that all of the conspiracy theories come from INSIDE the US. Not outside.

Without a single exception, the folks I met commented how horrible the event was, how sorry they were that such a thing happened, and they went out of their way to make me and my group feel safe and welcome during a very stressful time.

Originally Posted by dmatre

This is just nonsense.

Having been overseas when it happened, and interacting with people from multiple countries and continents, I can firmly say that all of the conspiracy theories come from INSIDE the US. Not outside.

Without a single exception, the folks I met commented how horrible the event was, how sorry they were that such a thing happened, and they went out of their way to make me and my group feel safe and welcome during a very stressful time.

The forum I was a part of had several members from England who thought it was bizarre I trusted our Govt and that there was no way 9/11 wasnt "an inside job.". At first I thought I was being trolled, 50 some odd pages of online arguments later and I learned that this was just how these individuals saw things. I have family in Gov't, more then, I know first hand how hard and thankless of a job that it is. Because I grew up around elected officials, 9/11 shook me to my core that our Govt wasn't able to stop something like 9/11. I was not against the war and like others almost enlisted - took the required tests, but my Dad was able to convince me that unless I had wanted to serve my country via the military regardless of 9/11, i probably should not enlist. Anyway, I'm happier believing your experience is closer to reality - and that what ppl say behind their keyboards is often just nonsense.

[nyalpine90]

i remember my boots and jeans dusty.
Anywhere I went, I had to show 2 IDs.
My days were long, no1 complained.
the IT company provide breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sirens going off, drop what your doing and exit building.
Soldiers everywhere except for the towers.
Never been to Ground Zero.
Twin towers will always be there, for me.

[Captain Blood]

I'm surprise nobody has commented on this thread today.

[G80indy]

I'm in a very somber mood today….

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by 330indy

I'm in a very somber mood today….

Me too. So emotional.

[G80indy]

Here is another really good one to watch…

[ASAP]

I will add another comment to my initial comment and that is-

I think so much significant history has happened in the last 20 years whether political or other - Obama, Trump, Many Wars, Now Biden, Covid (650K lives lost), Jan 6th etc... that many of the younger generations that weren't around for this will not see the significance in this event... The recent pullout of Afghanistan will lessen the meaning even more to many... it's sad but ultimately I think this will end up just like Pearl Harbor for many of us that didn't live thru it - a simple passage of history in a book.

Alas, RIP to the brave souls and responders of that day, as well as the many that fought in the wars after.