Where were you on that fateful day?

ktbug82

I was in the 5th grade, but I was actually at home sick. My mom called and woke me up and told me to turn on the tv because what I would be seeing would be a day in history in the USA. I remember exactly what I was wearing that morning. My favorite pink tanktop & joe boxer shorts. I think this was the first time in my life that I had even heard about what a terrorist was. Although I didn't fully understand what I was seeing then, I do now. God Bless America.

acciomuscles

I was 13 and in 7th grade -- the teachers and admin did not tell us anything except that there had been a terrorist attack. I live about 20 minutes south of the Pentagon, and my dad and plenty of other students' family members worked nearby. Rumors flew...all I heard for most of the day was that the Pentagon had "blown up." It wasn't until I got off the bus at the end of the day and ran home did I find out the full extent of the tragedy. I think my family all slept in the same room that night...we just needed to be near each other. I didn't personally know anyone who died, but my parents did (in both the Pentagon and WTC). Even though I was fairly young on 9/11/01, I still remember that day so vividly that the emotions come flooding back as if it were yesterday.

Whatnow50

I was at home getting ready for work (west coast) when the news said a small plane hit a building in NY. As I drove to work the radio reported another plane hit the other tower. I walked into our office and they had the TV on with poor reception. We could barely see what was happening but could hear ok. Several of us stood shocked and silent, confused, not familiar with NY. Most of us then had to go drive our school buses, I remember the kids asking if I knew what happened, talking to each other. I didn't know everything yet about what was happening so tried to talk to them calmly, told them to talk more with their teachers at school so they would have support. I was sad, scared about how far the attacks would go. We performed that day in anxiety, shock, saddness. Would there be other targets, are we in danger, are the kids in danger? Thinking at any moment we may have to go back and get the kids to take them home. Watched for hours, for days, whenever I wasn't driving a bus. I will never forget. R.I.P.

I printed iron-on designs at home off the internet, took them to work with my iron, co-workers each brought shirts... we made shirts together to show our support. It felt good to be with each other doing it.

P.S. I was fortunate to visit NY city in 2007 and visited ground zero. I was very moved to be there, remembering 9/11, those that we lost, those that survived but were changed forever. I plan to go again, to honor them all and to never forget.

danaclang

I had just gotten to work (a busy urban hospital) and was walking thru the ER, a normally very busy place. The was no activity, everyone was planted infront of the TV with the look of horror and disbelievement on their faces.
All I could think of was all the people that were being killed, everyday people that got up that morning to go to work, never to return.

fbmandy55

I was a freshman in high school and it was our second day of Indiana standardized tests. The cancelled testing for the rest of the day and we watched the coverage on tv in every other class the rest of the day. Even as young teens, it was an emotional and devastating day. I will never forget.

cckeimig

I was at work at the university when someone came out from the classroom right by my office and asked what I thought about the attacks on the WTC in NYC. I don't even remember teaching any classes that day--I think it was just coordination duties. Can't remember.

I was like, "What? That's no joking matter." I was so pissed off at them for joking about an attack on my home country. I just couldn't believe that might possibly be true.

They took me into the classroom and showed the TV screen with the crummy reception we had in there. I remember insisting in my mind it must be a video or something, so I rushed back to my desk, still furious at my coworker's lack of tact, and went straight to cnn.com. And then, of course, I was like, "DAMN! It's TRUE!"

I spent the rest of the day in shock and crying in turns, worrying about my half-brother who lived in NYC since I had absolutely no concept of the geography of that city. Turns out he lived like 11 blocks outside of the 20-block radius that was evacuated (if I'm remembering correctly), and was fine, but it took like a week to find out that info.

It was absolutely surreal watching things from here in Mexico, and I remember being grateful that all of the channels added newscasts from the US periodically through the next few days--some just stepped back and kept it on 9/11 news all day long out of courtesy for all of us 'ex-pats' and for those who wanted to stay informed from a US point of view.

I didn't get to come home for a visit for almost another full year, and I remember how strange it was to see a flag flying from each and every house that summer, and how strange all of the extra security precautions felt (I was travelling alone with a 2-year-old, in defense of my level of frustration). It was a totally different country. I remember thinking I might never be able to move home after all of the changes--it just didn't feel the sama anymore.

Now it still feels changed, but I'm GOING to move back to my real country soon. My kids need to learn first-hand what the US is really like and to live near MY family for a while.

I'm thankful for all of the sacrifices made by all of the police officers, fire fighters, and soldiers of every persuasion to help keep all of us safe. God Bless America!

Deadbeat13

i was only 8 years old. I was on holiday in Europe. I remember going across to the shops with my dad to hear some woman screaming "New York has been bombed!'. We ran back up to the room and turned the tv on to see what was happening.
Also that day we was on our way home, or meant to. My younger sister had food poisoning pretty badly and we delayed for around 12 hours.

Benji49

I was watching the morning news before going to the office and saw the plane hit. Immediately called my husband at his office and told him to turn on the news - he thought I was kidding. Then the 2nd plane.......I didn't make it to the office that day - I sat and watched and cried and got really angry. I'm not an American, I'm Canadian, but I felt like it was an attack on all of us.

And I remember the morning they re-opened the Calgary International after days of nothing in the air. I could hear that jet coming for a long time and I remember going outside and seeing the military jet - knowing it was one of ours but I just needed to see it.

God Bless America.

CindiBryce

I was a little second-grader at that time, and my knowledge of what was going on was negligible. It is hard to believe it has been a decade since the horrible event.

Whatareherthings711

I was in 5th grade. We heard announcements in the morning that there was a fire in the twin towers. I found it really odd and silly that they would need to tell us that. I didn't know anything til I got home at the end of the day.

Whatareherthings711

I was in 5th grade. We heard announcements in the morning that there was a fire in the twin towers. I found it really odd and silly that they would need to tell us that. I didn't know anything til I got home at the end of the day.

kaylynn54

I was at home and had just turned on the t.v. The first plane had already struck the tower. I immediately called my husband at his hotel because he was in New York for a trade show. I told him what had happened and told him to turn the tv on. His hotel was about four miles from the towers, but we were on the phone in disbelief as the second plane struck the towers. There were a lot of tears shed that day for all of the innocent lives that were lost!!! I just hope that our country doesn't ever have to go through another 9/11 like the one that we went through ten years ago!!!

tammyll3

I was teaching at my first teaching position and was in a classroom with a small group of 1st graders when I got the call from my (ex)husband. I had to wait until the kids went back to their general education teacher in order for me to find out more and to watch it on television. When I did see the footage, I remember the horror I felt as I watched the planes strike the WTC. I recall the tear-stained faces and the eerie silence as I walked down the hallways. I also remember the day after when the Pledge of Allegiance was said over the loud speaker system. The kids and the adults stood so tall and each stared intently at our American Flag.

Thanks to all who serve the public and put their lives on the line each and every day.

cckeimig

Oops! I meant nearly two years later, not one.