I opted to make my first contest start on September 11.
It’s been 10 years since the fateful day when terrorists took over planes and crashed into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and in a field in western Pennsylvania. It’s been 10 years since a nation was shaken by this happening on our soil, our land.
It’s been 10 years…
Those images will never leave my head. Of the people running from downtown. Of the firefighters trying to save lives. Of the scene during and after the attacks. Of the emotion and reaction of America.
Ten years…
In that time, it can be argued whether or not we are in a safer world. Or a better world. But there is no more Saddam Hussein. No more Osama bin Laden. The United States got ’em both.
Still, our economy is in the crapper. Things aren’t the brightest. But on this day, we need to forget our troubles. Remember those who died on that awful day. Remember the big picture and what this country stands for.
Do you remember 9/11/01?
Where were you? What were you doing? What went through your mind?
I remember vividly where I was. I was at college. My senior year at Lock Haven. I came out of the bedroom just after the first plane went into the first tower. My roommate was at his computer and said I needed to see this — a plane just went into the Twin Towers.
I thought he was kidding. I soon found out he wasn’t.
I sat down with a glass of water just in time to see the second plane go into the second tower. Then the reports of the Pentagon. And of the plane in western Pennsylvania. It was surreal. I watched for a while longer before getting ready for class.
The campus was quiet, somber. People were crying. Classes were cut short. The sad part is some people took advantage of this by saying they couldn’t be in class. Teachers gave them the OK to leave and then they were seen shortly after out sunbathing and laughing like nothing happened.
Some classes had discussions on what happened. Some watched movies. I had two classes that day and nothing was too different.
The days that followed were a lot of watching the news, reading papers. It was crazy. Soon after 9/11, I went to one of the county fairs in that area and saw Brooks and Dunn. They opened with “Only in America” and one of them had a guitar in the shape of the USA. The crowd went nuts. I was home that weekend, too, and went to a football game. They did a moving tribute before that, too.
The United States got back to business eventually.
But that date will always be there.
Ten years. It’s amazing that it’s been that long.
The contest: Remember 9/11.
The prize
What you have to do: In the comments section, write about where you were, what you remember and everything else about 9/11. How vivid are things? Give a little detail.
Other ways to enter: You have to first do the main thing. After doing that, you can earn additional entries by doing the following (a person can do each one, but only once each. So you can earn a total of five entries into the contest.):
- Like this post on Facebook (down at the bottom of the post there is a”like” button. Use that (and let me know you did it… the number need to add up!).
- Like HooHaa Blog on Facebook (on the right side of the blog at the top of the page. If you have already liked the blog, let me know and I can give an entry that way, too).
- Write a post on your blog about this contest (make sure you let me know!)
- Tweet about this contest by copying and pasting the following:
HooHaa Blog and @softball29 is having contest! Go to https://hoohaa.com/?p=2233 and enter! #hoohaablog #geocaching #contest #coin
What can you win? A sweet Labor Day geocoin. It’s the closest I had to give for an “American” feel. It’s red, white and blue. Being it was originally part of the Geocoin of the Month club, it also comes with a pin.Even if you aren’t a geocacher, this is a really sweet coin to have and own!
Who can enter: This contest is open to anyone.
How decided? Random draw.
Entry deadline is 12:01 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Sunday, September 18. Results will be announced in a blog post here at noon on Sept. 18.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook by clicking the button on the right side of the page!
Well the where were you part is very easy… I was living at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown.. I got up to get ready for work and turned on the TV to see the start of the events by the first plane had gone into the twin towers.. I soon got showered ran downstairs to the Hawkeye Bar to open it up and see all the people already in the bar watching the details as I had missed teh second plane going into the towers..
It was by far the longest day I could ever remember in my life… I worked the entire day behind the bar, not cause I had to but because I wanted to… to watch everything that was going on….
Joe — I think you were like a lot of people. Glued to the TV that day, no matter where they were.
I was in an algebra(? not sure, it was some math class) class sophomore year, I even remember the very desk I was in. There was an announcement for teachers to turn on the TVs in their class rooms. My teacher did but then quickly turned the TV off after a few minutes and went on teaching the lesson as if everything was normal. I always thought he was an a$$hole and that moment proved it to me.
I had been in the towers just a month before on summer vacation. If I hadn’t actually SEEN and been in the towers I don’t think the actual magnitude of the incident/destruction would have hit me as much as it did.
We watched TV and sobbed the next two weeks.
Erika – I love remembrances like this because it shows the age difference from so many people that experienced this awful day.
I tweeted. http://twitter.com/#!/_ErikaJean_/status/112961833358475264
I liked it on FB!
I know it doesn’t count… but I gave it a thumbs up on stumble!
I don’t twitter…. but did like it and i don’t blog sonot sure how to get the extra bonus points……
I was in my sophomore year of high school in Alexandria, VA; I was 15. As a group of us gym class girls walked back to the school from the baseball fields where we were practicing archery, someone whined that they wished they were still at school in Maryland. “Why?” “Ugh, they got out of school because of some explosion at the Pentagon.” Hmm, that’s weird.
I changed out and wandered the hallways to my locker before lunch. Andrew was waiting for me there, and when he saw me his face went white. He pressed me against my locker and said “Something happened in New York. Something happened to the World Trade Center.” Emily showed up and nodded. I slowly slid my back along my locker until I was sitting on the floor. I looked up at both of them, dazed, thinking of all my family in New York and what “terrorism” really meant, and I said that I needed to see Mr Paine.
Mr Paine was my eighth grade Civics teacher, and in my moment of panic he was the most trusted adult I could get in contact with. As I ran to the middle school side of our secondary school I saw crying parents waiting at the attendance office, stricken teachers wandering, the hustle of yet-ignorant students. I rounded a corner and ran up two flights of stairs like I was flying; I ran straight into Mrs S. Mrs S was another eighth grade Civics teacher, a balding, greyed, very overweight teacher who never smiled. She glared down at me. “You’re not supposed to be here.” “I know,” I said breathless, “but I need to see Mr Paine.” “No.” “Look, something bad happened, I need to talk to him.” “Mr Paine is teaching right now. You need to go back to the high school side. You can see him after school.” I had forgotten about the schedule differences; by after school I would already know everything there was to know. In a very uncharacteristic moment, I cursed at her and ran back down the stairs.
I don’t remember lunch, or the next class period, but I know that the student body wasn’t told anything. As I staggered into sixth-period Algebra II several hours later, I had almost forgotten about the events of the day. Mr E, our typically jubilant math teacher and school football coach, stood in front of the classroom somber and sad. He told us that he thought it was crap that the school didn’t tell us anything. He turned on the classroom’s TV and every single student arched their neck to the seemingly far-away, high-mounted screen. Mr E stood against the wooden door’s small window to block it. Finally we knew. It was 1 or 2pm at this point, so everything had already happened. The news was a stream of events, replays, deaths, recoveries. I was shocked.
Mom met us at the bus stop in her car and took us home. Dad was in Seattle on business and wouldn’t end up coming home for several days. All of my relatives in New York were alive. All of our neighbors at the Pentagon were alive. School was let out for two days because we had many classmates and teachers who were directly affected by the Pentagon damage. We watched news coverage constantly.
I remember that as the end of my innocence: from gym class archery to devastating terrorism in hours.
Lauren — that really gives one a look at the difference of how people responded to this. Thanks for sharing that. The idea that a school would shade people from it seems silly. It’s current events and from where you were, the Pentagon was obviously a major part of that day. Crazy. Thanks again for sharing.
Although 9/11/01 is 10 years old, my memories of that day are crystal clear. I had worked at WTC2 for years previously, and it felt like an amputation when it fell. Feelings escalated from questioning, disbelief that an airplane could make a mistake like that, to fear and sorrow. Evacuated from where I was working, as that was a possible target, seeing the first tower collapse, and to a friend’s apartment overlooking the United Nations and trying to contact friends and family on overworked communications. I feel bittersweet that I was safe and sorrow that so many others were not, when they were just doing their job.
On that beautiful Tuesday, Jim dropped me off at the train after we left our coop in Long Island. We were preparing for my sister’s wedding in 2 weeks, and finishing up work stuff for quarter end and budget season. He drove to work in Suffolk while I took the train and subway to work at Citigroup Center, one of the tallest and most recognizable bank buildings in NYC. Many of the staff was just getting in and starting their day, and I had a glass of water on my desk as I was putting the finishing touches on 2002’s budget. Soon there was a buzz of activity as people started seeing the news reports about a plane overhead and its impact with a building downtown.
Soon everyone had either CNN on their PC, or had congregated in one of the conference rooms that had a TV. What we had originally thought was a tourist helicopter with a building, then was corrected to be a major airplane with the WTC1. I called Jim at work and asked if he had heard anything on the radio on his way in, and he said that there was another plane that had crashed into the Pentagon. I was still in disbelief and wondered how air traffic control could have let this happen. We still didn’t understand what was happening.
When the second plane hit the WTC2, fire sirens erupted in our building for an evacuation. I called Jim from my desk phone to let him know I was leaving, that I loved him, and that I didn’t know what was going to happen. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I got on an elevator with a co-worker that had a broken ankle to go to the street. We met at our evacuation site at 51st Street and our evacuation team made sure everyone was out. Standing on the street, even uptown, you could smell the burning air and the dust. A coworker invited those of us stranded in the city to come back to her apartment across from the United Nations. As we walked down Lexington, we saw a plume of smoke and dust rise to the south, and people cried out that WTC2 had fallen.
Now we walked like zombies to the safety of an apartment. Cell lines didn’t work, the circuits were full. The news reported that all aircrafts were being grounded and there were 3 planes that had impacted buildings. As we watched the screen, WTC1 collapsed and we all cried.
Subways and trains were stopped, and Penn Station evacuated. That was my way home, to family, to safety. Cells were not connecting, and I finally got through on the land line to my mother-in-law to let her know I was safe and to let Jim know. Jim left his office to meet his mom and get closer to NYC which was not allowing cars in or out of the bridges/tunnels.
In the afternoon after watching the news and now realizing the extent of the terror attacks, we heard jets overhead. I left my co-workers apartment in the afternoon and walked to Penn Station hoping that trains were resuming so I could get home. They had everyone congregated on 34th and 7th Avenues. As they announced trains, they checked everyone’s bag before being allowed in. There were people who had walked from downtown covered in dust and ash, looking like the zombies we all felt. Every sense was heightened and my eyes burned from the air and emotions.
I was able to get home, and was glued to the television and phone as I tried to reach friends and co-workers from downtown. Other friends and family were desperate to find me, as they knew I had worked there and often traveled downtown to meetings. I heard from high school friends, from old co-workers as we knitted our community back together.
The week was lost at work, and when I returned we were all at heightened security. My building was evacuated a couple of times a week as bomb threats were called in. X ray machines were brought in to scan our bags. Call trees were reviewed for phoning family. And I don’t think any of us really ever recovered completely from that day.
I miss WTC2, the building where I had worked while I was doing Corporate Reporting. I miss the creaks I heard from the cafeteria on the 44th floor – halfway up the building. I miss the view we had from the conference room as we looked across the Hudson River and watched the Rockefeller Christmas tree float down on barges. And most of all I miss the innocence and feelings of security I lost on that Tuesday.
It changed the city. “Have you seen this person?” posters were on every corner. Tales of where everyone was in the city are common. So many people had circumstances change that morning that delayed them enough to be safe, and so many others were not as lucky. Stories are heartbreaking, and they change you forever.
Heather — I can’t help but to read this in amazement. Though I’ve only known you for a few years, I never thought to connect your work to 9/11 and how close you were. Incredible that you saw this unfold so close and I’m sure there are memories in there you wish you could get rid of. I only knew a few people who were in Manhattan during that day and most were far enough from the WTC that they only saw it unfold or watched on TV like everyone else. But to think of someone who had once worked there and knew the buildings, wow. Thanks for sharing this story. It really gives us a look at the day from the eyes of someone near.
It also didn’t help that there was a Heather Smith who died in the attacks that looked very similar, was just a little bit older, in the same profession, but from Boston. That haunts me as well.
http://www.legacy.com/Sept11/Story.aspx?PersonID=91867
Heather… holy crap.
I was working at a metal fabricating company, we built HVAC trailers for the military. I can remember one of my co-workers (the youngest son of the owner) come running in to inform all of us of what had happened. My first concern was of two friends who I knew worked some where in the financial district, just wasn’t sure where. Luckly neither one worked in either building. At that point in time I really had no idea Osuma Binlden was. It was a very long day and week, not knowing what exactally what would happen to the country or the world. I do remember I was glad the Commander in Chief was not Al Gore.
Another look at a different side. Thanks for sharing, Pat.
Its hard to believe that 10 years have gone by so fast! I’ll never forget the day our Country was attacked!
Mary and I were at a Chamber of Commerce Meeting in Clark, NJ. We noticed that people were looking at their phones and talking amongst each other.
The moderator stopped the event and announced a small plane had hit one of the Towers!
Moments later, the event was canceled when the 2nd Tower was hit!
We left the event and were driving North on the Garden State Parkway. At one point, people were pulled over and you could see the Towers from the Parkway. They were both on fire!
We stopped and saw the 1st Tower fall!
After 20 years in EMS, this had to be one of the most sickening things I had ever seen!!!
I couldn’t imagine how many people had died!
Could it be over 50,000??
When we got back to Elizabeth, the 2nd Tower collapsed! We were watching on Fox News and saw the whole thing!
How could this be happening?
Mary & I had retired from our Paramedic Jobs, the previuos year. It was very hard for us to watch this on TV and not be able to help!
We are usually the ones running out to help!
I had Friends that were Firefighters and Cops over there! Were they there? Are they OK?
My Brother lived in the Chelsea Section of Manhattan! Was he OK?
We couldn’t find out – there was no cell service!
After awhile, we were able to contact my Brother and he was ok! Thank God!
We did lose a few Friends that day and our hearts go out to their Families!
They are true Heroes!
The days that followed were very strange! We live very close to the Airport and it was very quiet!
No planes except for the occasional F16 Jet!
Flags started to appear around the neighborhood! Everyone had one out in front of their house and on their cars! The Patriotism was tremendous! I remember Mary’s Dad saying, it reminded him of Post- Pearl Harbor times!
We will have the chance to visit the Monument at Ground Zero next week and are excited to be able to view it!
God Bless America!
Stan, thanks for that look back. Such a different look, but from someone also close to the spot. It’s amazing to hear people speak about this day, still to this day 10 years later.
I was working on Pentagon Rowe which is a mixed use project in Arlington, VA. We got word of the first plane hitting WTC from a coworkers wife. Those of us in the office had a lot of questions. As we were hashing it out we got word of another plane crash. I said, “Oh, great. We are at ground zero.” Funny choice of words. I was thinking what could be a better target than Washington DC right across the Potomac from where we were. The internet was jammed but we were getting phone calls telling us to get out of there. We were told planes were heading for the Capitol, The White House, and the World Bank. What? Where were we supposed to go? I stood outside as if I could dodge a plane should one approach. Everyone was looking at the sky. Waiting. I was on the phone with a friend who was watching TV and trying to explain what was going on when I heard a plane loudly buzz us overhead. Immediately I felt the impact like a shockwave lift the job trailer off the ground. Even knowing what was going on I thought we must have had a natural gas explosion on the job site. I saw the construction guys running toward the impact site holding their hard hats on their heads. I heard coworkers screaming, crying, wailing. We were located across I-395 from the Pentagon. You could see the Pentagon from our parking garage. It was as if you could feel the heat and smell the … I don’t know. Some of the construction guys walked off the site that day and just kept walking. They didn’t know where they were going. They were just trying to get away from the insanity. The streets were grid lock. I was stunned. I was stuck at the job site until that evening. I didn’t want to watch the activity at the Pentagon from the parking garage but I had to. I walked as close to the Pentagon as we were allowed. Some of our construction guys were waiting at the perimeter until they would be allowed to enter the site with our heavy equipment to help with rescue and recovery. The Pentagon employees had emptied on to the street. Everyone on the street seemed to be wearing a uniform and talking on a cell phone. My friend’s husband was an Arlington cop. He was sitting at a stop light looking up and saw the plane pass overhead in a dive. He immediatley called in the crash and was the first 911 call. He and his wife were invited to the the memorial at the National Cathedral in recognition. I stayed in Arlington through that week but never returned. I hired a local to finish my onsite work. I knew the world as we knew it and my career was forever changed. I wouldn’t be traveling every week to work anymore. I said I’d never fly again. I had a friend working in Cleveland who rented a car and drove to Arlington to pick me up. Another friend working in Baltimore joined us and the three of us drove back to south Florida. A week later even though I was home I had a sick feeling for a long time. Waiting. I will always remember. I don’t need to be reminded every year. I don’t need to keep reliving this experience.
This really is an amazing look at things. Thanks for sharing it. What it really does is shows the difference between New York and Arlington.
I know its too late for the contest but I’ll tell my story anyways. I was in the Army and had been stationed in Ft. Carson Colorado. I had only been in for about a year and that includes 4 months of Basic Training and Hometown Recruiting.
I remember my phone ringing and answering it. It was Matt, a buddy from basic who had also been stationed in Ft Carson and was then in my platoon, and he told me to turn on the TV cause one of the Twin Towers had been hit. We watched as the other was hit and couldn’t believe what was going on. We started to worry cause we were in the shadow of NORAD (an important military base) in the edge of the Rockies.
I had tried to call home to my family in central NY several times with jammed lines to see what was going on. I also wanted them to know we were going on as with business as usual for the most part. I also remember trying to call my then gf who was in the Indiana National Guard to see if they had alerted. They had been contacted to be ready to report just in case. They never were.
I’m glad that we have since then stopped two terrible people. Unfortunately it has come at a great loss to both sides. I personally spent 10 months in Iraq and I’ve seen the looks on the citizens faces that were being oppressed. Although they may have been “freed”, I don’t feel it was worth all the loss. I’m grateful that we as a Battalion suffered no losses of life (other than a suicide) and only a few major injuries over all.
It’s a good look in a different view — from being in the service. Thanks for sharing, Brent.