9/11 twenty years after

[Dang3r]

Because one of the most tragic days in younger history and a never experienced rate of terror has today its 20th anniversary and Im very sure that you US guys would never forget whats happen.
For me as a foreigner in your country I cant probably imagine what this had done to you, but I remember like yesterday the past time after the first impact.
We were sitting at a debriefing after the days last flight as a guy had stumbled in and told us, that just the first plane had hitted the first tower. Our first reaction was a discussion about the reasons and some technical impacts, no one of us had thought that someone would steer a big plane with full intention into a building.
As we had finished our official part of debriefing, someone made the suggest to enter the crewcellar for a final drink before heading home. As we had entered, there were countless people in front of the TV screens and watch the smoking giant as suddenly the second plane hits in. From that moment we had a little idea that this was intentional and terrorism and as the towers had collapsed later and we heard about the guessed amount of victims, you could hear the fall of a needle at the ground.
This evening was one of the longest ones in front of my home TV and it takes a few hours to realize, what the heck has gone on at the other side of the world.

Now, 20 years later I have to determine that my amount of international friends and relationships had grown and at least my participation here at the forum with you guys is for me a good sign of international friendship by hobby, passion, humor and interest.
Today I will lit a candle and thank the lord for the peace in my homeland but for sure for remembering and never forget whats happened at that day in your country.

[Efthreeoh]

Recent world events just made remembering that horrible day all the more more painful.

[Tommy-G]

I was working at a BMW dealer 20 west of NYC. We watched the whole thing unfold, smoke in the sky, first responders traveling into NYC from NJ b/c our dealer was on a main artery into NYC.
My wife and I watched a few hours of shows on Nat Geo commemorating the anniversary and I had to turn it off. 20yrs later and the pain still feels the same.

The only good thing was the way we all treated each other and felt as Americans for the weeks after. That came at too expensive a cost though

[shoei]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

I was working at a BMW dealer 20 west of NYC. We watched the whole thing unfold, smoke in the sky, first responders traveling into NYC from NJ b/c our dealer was on a main artery into NYC.
My wife and I watched a few hours of shows on Nat Geo commemorating the anniversary and I had to turn it off. 20yrs later and the pain still feels the same.

The only good thing was the way we all treated each other and felt as Americans for the weeks after. That came at too expensive a cost though

I keep thinking about that lately. How the entire country banded together. It was truly amazing.

Yeah no, that wasn't meant to last. I mean, look at us now, lol

[upstatedoc]

Won't watch any 20 year anniversary documentaries. Can't watch. Instills feelings that is not me

[clutchdj]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Won't watch any 20 year anniversary documentaries. Can't watch. Instills feelings that is not me

agree.

it’s important to teach about the event with respect, any why we must never forget.

That’s enough for me.

[cmyx6go]

I’m feeling very anxious about this anniversary. And that’s not me…

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

agree.

it’s important to teach about the event with respect, any why we must never forget.

That’s enough for me.

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.

[shoei]

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.

It be like that. Look at all the tourists who take happy selfies visiting memorials.

USS Arizona Memorial
Auschwitz
Holocaust Memorial
Berlin Wall Memorial
Buddhist temples

Ground Zero unfortunately not any different. It blows my mind when I see people taking selfies pissing in Anne Frank's toilet or sunbathing on top of the slabs at the Holocaust Museum.

[M-technik-3]

As a recent USAF Retiree, I feel a lot of mixed emotions. I was recalled to AD from Reserve status and ended up retiring out of the USAF in 2017. Lets just say I spent way to many days of my life in the Tube of Torture back and forth the Globe doing GWOT.

Lost a a dozen or more people I was close to due to the two shit holes. I just glad the Iraqi's were poor at how they launched their 110mm warheads at us Baghdad and Balad.

IMO It should have have been melted! The world would have been ok with it, if we gave em a weeks notice. You give us Bin Laden or we drop on thermo-nuclear warhead. That damn easy!!

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by shoei

It be like that. Look at all the tourists who take happy selfies visiting memorials.

USS Arizona Memorial
Auschwitz
Holocaust Memorial
Berlin Wall Memorial
Buddhist temples

Ground Zero unfortunately not any different. It blows my mind when I see people taking selfies pissing in Anne Frank's toilet or sunbathing on top of the slabs at the Holocaust Museum.

That was exactly what I saw going on at Ground Zero. Laughing, carrying on, selfies. Just made me sick. I paid my respects at a nearby Engine Company where they had a display showing all the fire fighters from that station who had lost their lives. My then wife wanted to take a pic of me there. I told her absolutely not.

A friend of mine told me about his experience with some rude tourists at the USS Arizona memorial. He couldn't contain himself with how they were carrying on so he told them to shut the hell up.

[shoei]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

That was exactly what I saw going on at Ground Zero. Laughing, carrying on, selfies. Just made me sick. I paid my respects at a nearby Engine Company where they had a display showing all the fire fighters from that station who had lost their lives. My then wife wanted to take a pic of me there. I told her absolutely not.

A friend of mine told me about his experience with some rude tourists at the USS Arizona memorial. He couldn't contain himself with how they were carrying on so he told them to shut the hell up.

Not that one scenario is worse or more impactful but I've been to the USS Arizona a few times now and I can tell you it's not an atmosphere for laughter selfies or other influencer shit. It's always been quiet, eerily quiet and it's just feels heavy. Regardless of the Hawaii sun, it just feels less sunny and warm there.

Couldn't imagine busting out a selfie stick and throwing it up on Insta.

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

I was working at a BMW dealer 20 west of NYC. We watched the whole thing unfold, smoke in the sky, first responders traveling into NYC from NJ b/c our dealer was on a main artery into NYC.
My wife and I watched a few hours of shows on Nat Geo commemorating the anniversary and I had to turn it off. 20yrs later and the pain still feels the same.

The only good thing was the way we all treated each other and felt as Americans for the weeks after. That came at too expensive a cost though

Originally Posted by shoei

I keep thinking about that lately. How the entire country banded together. It was truly amazing.

Yeah no, that wasn't meant to last. I mean, look at us now, lol

Spent some time Sunday evening with friends of mine, smoking cigars and enjoying a pour (or three) and one of my good friends wore a shirt that said “live like it’s 9-12” and strangely, it impacted me unlike any time before. I’ve seen that saying, as I’m sure many have, but as alluded to earlier with recent events that resonates with me all the more. Think I’ll buy that shirt.

[ASAP]

I remember to this day where I was, what I was doing and the 3 days of continuous news coverage on just about every news channel... never seen anything like this before.

RIP to all the souls and responders. I have photos as a kid walking around the towers in 1998... even have a minted coin from the tower that I crushed myself.

[evil-G-nius]

Its hard for me for a number of reasons. I was a computer engineer on Wall Street and was working with a contracting company for Salomon Smith Barney & Citigroup. I happened to get laid off almost a month to the day before the tragedy. What makes this so hard for me is that my train let out at the WTC, my company's main office was in tower 1 on the 77th floor, I took Windows Server classes there every week, one of my client's was in 7WTC...I was there in & about every single day! I know people I used to see, speak to & say hi to in passing may not be with us anymore. I believe a guy I went to high school with passed away and I personally know people that know people that died that day too. I tell myself I probably would have been fine, I probably would have been in the satellite office on Wall Street by the time the planes hit but who knows. I could have been running late, I could have been called for a different assignement that day. All I know is when I was laid off I was upset, but in hind sight my guardian angel was just getting a head start for me. It is extremely hard for me to watch coverage or even hear about it...I just can't bring myself to watch anymoe. I saw enough when it happened. I also feel bad because a friend of mine's birthday is on 9/11! SMDH

[M5Rick]

I was working as a trainee at FBD one of the largest lawyers in central London and the day is etched on me forever. A general commotion that grew with people heading for the large screen in one of the meeting rooms saw the situation unfold and from the first strike a Partner said it was no accident and to fear the worst.
A family friend from Mass state was staying at my mom's house for vacation and she took a flight home as soon as Kennedy airport was opened up again.

[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.

[Littlebear]

My subway train was emerging from the Brklyn tunnel & starting over the Manhattan bridge when the second plane hit. We all watched the flames go down the sides of the tower, then go back up & in. Then our train went underground again, and we had no news until we exited (me at Times Square).
Our office was soon dismissed, & I walked with my boss back over the Brklyn Bridge (~ 6 miles), watching the smoke, wondering where the next plane would hit.

My wife was in Chase Plaza, ~ 2 blocks from the WTC. They all tried to wait for the dust to settle, but she started back to Brklyn within a couple of hours. Her shoes & legs were covered with that bad dust. She is still on the health registry.

The firehouse near my job (48th & 8th) lost more fire fighters than any other (don't remember the #). Shortly after returning to work, I visited the firehouse, and was soon face to face with the captain near the memorial people had set up. There was nothing to say; I gave him my best military salute, and he hugged me (brings me tears thinking about it to this day).

[Alfisti]

I was in the Czech Republic, some random semi rural pub annihilating 25c beers. I realised I forgot my wallet and headed back to the hostel to see everyone watching TV.

My three travel mates all left to go back home a week later, I pushed on into Rome and 10 days in Malta on my own to finish the 8 week trip.

[cmyx6go]

I worked in 1WTC and lower Manhattan for years in the 80s. I got off the train at the WTC concourse, shopped there, occasionally had dinner up in Windows on the World. We would grab lunch and sit out by the fountain. The place was amazing.

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.

[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.

[cmyx6go]

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.

The days after were surreal. I remember driving home from work that night.
I was driving south on the Garden State Parkway, so away from the city. No one was on the road except for a steady stream of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks heading north, going towards it. First responders from everywhere came to aid. And how strange it was not to hear or see airplanes waiting in queue to land at Newark.