 Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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OP
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
It was a cool day out, bright and sunny with those little clouds that look like brush strokes in the sky. I was stand on the roof of the soon to be new library for ULAR, welding down some decking and end closures so that the concrete could be poured. When the PMs truck appeared at the front gate of the construction site and was driveing down the equipment road up to the building. It seemed odd to me because he usually parked in the parking lot and walked over like everyone else. It wasn't long until we were all called down to the ground for a meeting which has only happened when a fellow worker on another job was injured of killed. So we all headed down to the ground with some trepidation and fear as to what happened, when the rumor started up to us that two airplanes had crashed into the world trade centers. When we got to the ground we were informed that it was true and that another one had hit the Pentagon. It seemed very surreal, I knew we had been attacked by terrorists and that we were headed for war. We were asked to fill up with gas on the way home because they were unsure of what the availability would be in the near future. I remeber very clearly the images the next day on the news of people celebrating in the streets over there in those Muslim countries, and the images of them planes hitting the Twin towers. I remember the huge hole in the side of the pentagon, and that big rip in the ground where the other plane crashed into a field.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 16
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 16 |
I remember !
I remember my wife being shaken to the core as we learned a dear friend she worked with every day at an elementary school lost a son in one of the towers. He had called from the tower after the first crash and was talking to his dad when his phone went silent…………..
A tree was planted in Patrick’s remembrance on the school grounds.
I remember !
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
I was getting ready for work and watching the news. They were showing the first tower and mentioned the B25 that crashed into the Empire State building because they still thought it had been an accident. Then the camera suddenly shifted and there was the second plane crashing into the other tower.
I packed up my wind-up radio and headed to work. When I got there, I was told to be extra careful and report anyone who didn't seem to belong immediately. I set up the radio on one of the local all news stations in the conference room because the rest of the building was too well shielded to get a signal at my desk. Just after the 4'th plane hit the news, word got out about a possible stolen aircraft in the local area, so they decided to close down our building. We were told to stand by at home in case of emergency.
It was not easy to get home because the commuter trains were shut down untill they were able to check all the track and stations for hidden explosives. I ended up taking the subway (thank goodness thy felt that was secure enough to keep out terrorists with bombs) as far as possible and calling home for a ride. I spent the rest of the day remotely logged into the company network monitoring our remote dispatch systems.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
I had just got new tags for my truck and while leaving the court house I saw a friend and he had told me of the first one by the time I got home the second one had hit. I enlisted with the Navy by the end of the month.
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
This was sent out in an all employee email this morning... Quote:
Most of you don't know me or have never met me but I am sending out this email to all in honor of today and the loss the was incurred by this nation 11 years ago today. I have spent almost 11 years in the service of this country's military and I've noticed year after year the memory of this day and loss fading away. A lot of people talk about their memory of "where they were when ___________ died". But do you remember where you were when the United States of America was brutally assaulted by a terrorist force, reawakening us from a lazy slumber and with a shot below the belt, showed us just how vulnerable we actually are? A moment I will never forget.
I was in room 121 of Horno barracks, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA sitting on my field gear. I had an injury that I was healing up from that I had received during our last boat raid operation and tried to sneak out to the field to train with the company and was caught. Luckily my Platoon Sergeant had commended my motivation and not punished me for disobeying the doctor's orders but had still made me stay back. I was back at the barracks with another Marine named Jerry Sparks who was from South Boston (the projects) and had a cast on his left arm from a fight the previous weekend. Knowing Jerry he had hurt himself giving vs. getting. He kicked my door in and in a thick 'Southie' accent started yelling that they were bombing us and that the towers had been hit. The next three days combined into one long day as we were hit with damage and the aftermath on every channel the T.V. would play. This was met with an overwhelming mix of feelings between anger, rage, and excitement. The excitement was from the fact that we were United States Marines and would be the ones to right this wrong.
Soon after I exited the Marine Corps, while in college, I heard a statistic that 33% of Americans couldn't remember what year it was that 9/11 had happened. As an American, but especially as a Marine with 5 tours to the Middle East, this was a heartbreaking fact. Have the men and women serving and sacrificing done it for an ungrateful and forgetful nation?
I really don't know what I am trying to say here folks other than to ensure that this day is not forgotten and lost in history. It is up to us to educate our youth, it is up to us to honor our own by showing those who have lost that they have our love and dedicated support. This day cannot be a day that is written in the history books as a victory for terrorists. What needs be focused on is the fact that on this day in history, we as a country, banned together and supported one another. I am in no way attempting to impose any political or religious views through this email, I am simply wanting to honor the lost and the fallen. Whether you do or you don't support this war is up to you and a right you have as an American. I simply want to say that this is a day for America! This is a day to hold your children and your spouse because time is short, a day to breath in and take hold of the time you have. And because, again, this is a day for America! Please don't forget it!!!
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 592
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 592 |
How can you forget the sick feeling in your gut, the anger, the what can I do feeling, the loss of so many lives. It's sad but most people have.
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,226 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,226 Likes: 62 |
I was getting my truck inspected at a friends garage and saw it happen on TV in his office. We all thought it was a movie at first because the sound was off. Sadly I think we are over due for something else.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 348
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 348 |
I remember!
I was stationed at Kunsan AB, South Korea. I was playing my guitar in my dorm room when my buddy ran down the hall to get me to come see something on the TV. I was annoyed at first when he told me a plane hit the tower; everybody knows that is a huge no-fly zone in Manhattan. Then the second plane hit only minutes after I got to my buddy's tv and I knew that this was no foul up. NY is my home and I am watching that from South Korea. I remember feeling a helpless outrage when I was watching the people jumping from the tower windows to get away from the fire. I close my eyes and I still see that image of the people floating downward.
That day the decision was made that the military would become a career. I was at my nine year mark on 9-11 and it was time to decide but that choice was made. They will be sending me back to America in little over a year where I will have 20 years and six months time spent over seas once I step foot back on American soil. I stayed overseas the entire time of my the second part of my career because of 9-11. I hope as a service member and a NY'er that I have contributed and did something that mattered.
It shames me if it is true that many Americans can't even remember the date but I'm not going to get into that rant. I have good friends deployed into the fight right now...I will keep my thoughts positive for them.
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
It goes without saying that the events on September 11, 2001 were shocking to all. I was working on Long Island, New York at the time. We were relaeased from work, and I spent the day and night watching the reports on TV and staying in touch with friends and family by phone.
Being so close to the city, everyone either knew someone who was affected directly, or knew someone who knew someone else who was affected. It was an emotional time for everyone in the New York area.
One of my best friends was being married only 3 days after the attack. He and his wife worked in and around the Twin Towers. The went on with it despite the sadness. His two best men were NYPD and FDNY, and had first hand experience of the rescue effforts.
I also remember driving from Long Island towards the city and seeing the smoke was still rising from the site where the towers stood. I'm a native New Yorker too, and it made me sad and angry at once.
God Bless America and all we lost that day.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754 |
I remember being at work and seeing that mornings events unfold on the TV in the employee lounge/breakroom in shock and horror. I remember watching private aircraft frenetically landing at the small private airstip adjacent to my building...and then just as suddenly as the landings began....they ended. I remember calling my girlfriend at the time to coordinate meeting up to go to the Red Cross to donate blood. I remember the hundreds of Americans lined up there too, ready to give that gift of life solemly mindful of those in N.Y.C, at the Pentagon, and in that PA meadow who had their lives taken from them, defenseless or freely gave their lives to in defense of our Nation to prevent others from suffering the next planned terrorist atrocity that morning.
It's been 10 years plus since then, and we have invested a great deal of our Nations' resources in the effort to prevent if not end terroist aggression and violence in the Persian Gulf and across the world. We have sacrificed our young men and women in the defense of freedom, and in effort to bring Liberty to those who despise our National efforts in alturistic works and aid. We have labored in blood and money for those who do not know how to live in true Liberty within their own borders. Yet prefer inflicting injury upon their own peoples in pursuit of some extreme theological agenda to gain power over one another through opression.
In the days that followed the tragic events that came to our shores on 9/11/2001 I believe we missed an opportunity as a Nation to labor in unity of commom cause in justice for the innocents slain on that fateful day (and since). Unlike our response after Pearl Harbor, we failed to commit our full action as a Nation toward victory against terroist aggression at every level of our society.
I grieve for those lost on that fateful day, for their families that will never know the joy and light those lost would have brought to their own lives in the course of time.
I also grieve, that our Nation is now lost to those that would prefer to apologize for our policies and actions across the globe and capitulate our Republics' sovereignty and the freedoms our citizens hold so dear in favor of more Socialistic leadership and legislation.
Indeed, we pray..May God Bless America, those who have been lost in terroist violence and ease their families sorrow. May His light and protection bless those service persons currently defending the cause of Liberty across the globe, and those who have paid the greatest sacrifice in our defense as well!
Karl
Odessa, MO
'07 America, Cinnamon Girl (aka: Black Beauty or Ol' Penny) - Sit Down, Shut Up & Hang On
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3 |
Was home watching the news when the attacks happened. Seeing the second plane approaching erased all doubt that it was a tragic accident. I thought it odd that the culprits were identified so quickly - clearly there was information among those in the know that hadn't trickled down to the average citizen. And no, this is not a conspiracy theory rant.
We live near a private airport and it was eerily silent in the days following.
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Forever changed.
Always remembered.
Never forgotten.
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
On that morning I was 50 years old and for the most part still had the wide-eyed wonderment of a child and I trusted in people and I had hope and i saw things so differently. It started a slide into an ugly funk that lasted for years and although I'm far better now I'll never be who I was. There was a time I trusted people at face value and approached life with amazing optimism. Just getting some of that back over the past year or two. All those poor, innocent people - Brutalized by nothing other than ignorant hatefulness.
I was on my first day of vacation. I turned on the news when I woke. I stayed glued to that tv for what seemed to be days.
I live in the flight paths of two airports, Greater Pitt being one and also a large county airport That night, when the air would be so full of airplanes, there was nothing but silence. But it wasn't peaceful silence - It was the silence of the aftermath of ugly inhumanity. The silence of shock and disbelief.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
I was getting ready for work and watching the news. They were showing the first tower and mentioned the B25 that crashed into the Empire State building because they still thought it had been an accident. ... Then the camera suddenly shifted and there was the second plane crashing into the other tower.
I was working (it was already afternoon here) and had my TV set in my office on and playing in the backround.
As soon as I saw the second plane approaching I immediately guessed it was a terrorist attack (as unbelievable as it seemed).
It was at thet point I figured that the world would never be the same again.
It was not only a sad day for the US ... but the world in general.
I know the people in my country sympathized with the American people and were saddened at the losses borne by so many families.
One life ... is one life too many.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26 |
Im a Detective in the NYPD and on that day was at our academy in midtown manhattan attending some training. We were listening to a secret service lecturer when he got a beep, looked down, then ran from the room. We were assuming something real bad had happened and found an office with a tv reporting the first hit. We went to the room where we could look south and see the carnage. Then we saw the second plane wobbling in. I could hear what i thought was the entire city scream as it hit and the fireball blew out towards us and i saw the pieces shoot across the city like a meteor and crash some blooks away. I heard one of our guys scream into the radio to call the pentagon, that we were under attack. I returned to my base, which was in harlem, loaded up my team and shot down to the site. The second building fell as we got there. We dug for our brothers in the emergency services unit who had evacuated some side buildings but were trapped in a canyon of buildings and were last seen pressed up against the walls when the collapse rained down on them. I remember men screaming that they had saved their lives and hugged eachother as they died. Then building 7 fell and we escaped it by the grace of god. We regrouped and searched for the next 7 days. We found no one alive. I recovered bodies at the site for those days and then body parts and finally bones for another 5 months at the staten island landfill.
I was proud to have been there and i'm so thankful that the country doesnt forget the sacrifices made by my brothers and sisters in nyc that day.
You buy the ticket, you're gonna see the show.
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Quote:
Was home watching the news when the attacks happened. Seeing the second plane approaching erased all doubt that it was a tragic accident. I thought it odd that the culprits were identified so quickly - clearly there was information among those in the know that hadn't trickled down to the average citizen. And no, this is not a conspiracy theory rant.
We live near a private airport and it was eerily silent in the days following.
I believe that was helped in large part by finding the wallet and identification of one of the hijackers nearby.
I always found that odd.
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Im a Detective in the NYPD and on that day was at our academy in midtown manhattan attending some training. We were listening to a secret service lecturer when he got a beep, looked down, then ran from the room. We were assuming something real bad had happened and found an office with a tv reporting the first hit. We went to the room where we could look south and see the carnage. Then we saw the second plane wobbling in. I could hear what i thought was the entire city scream as it hit and the fireball blew out towards us and i saw the pieces shoot across the city like a meteor and crash some blooks away. I heard one of our guys scream into the radio to call the pentagon, that we were under attack. I returned to my base, which was in harlem, loaded up my team and shot down to the site. The second building fell as we got there. We dug for our brothers in the emergency services unit who had evacuated some side buildings but were trapped in a canyon of buildings and were last seen pressed up against the walls when the collapse rained down on them. I remember men screaming that they had saved their lives and hugged eachother as they died. Then building 7 fell and we escaped it by the grace of god. We regrouped and searched for the next 7 days. We found no one alive. I recovered bodies at the site for those days and then body parts and finally bones for another 5 months at the staten island landfill.
I was proud to have been there and i'm so thankful that the country doesnt forget the sacrifices made by my brothers and sisters in nyc that day.
Wow. I've heard a lot of on-scene accounts from New Yorkers, but your telling of it sends chills down my spine.
Bless your heart Danny, from one Bronx lad to another.
Thank you for your service to America and the City of New York.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 237
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 237 |
I was at home that day, when my wife rushed in from work to say turn on the TV, she'd heard on the car radio that a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers in New York. We sat and watched in horror as the second plane struck! I couldnt quite believe what we were seeing, my wife was weeping and I felt sick, we have no family connections with anyone states side but the effect on us both watching the situation unfold was surprising. I was sat 3000 miles away in the comfort of my own home feeling helpless and guilty because there was nothing I could do to even help! How wierd was that? We sat glued to the TV for the rest of the day and night and for days to come. But we both knew as we watched that second plane coming in that the world would never be quite the same again. Our thoughts this day have been with the victims, their families and the civilian and EMS teams who searched the debris for survivors in the following days. 3 years later we visited New York for a holiday and went to Ground Zero, not to stand and stare or buy those God awful postcards that vendors were trying to shove in our faces but to stand and say a few quiet words and pay our respects to all those lost and to all those effected by the events of that horrendous day. I know we were!
I'd rather ride it than clean it!!!!
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Re: Today 11 years ago.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 348
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 348 |
Quote:
Im a Detective in the NYPD and on that day was at our academy in midtown manhattan attending some training. We were listening to a secret service lecturer when he got a beep, looked down, then ran from the room. We were assuming something real bad had happened and found an office with a tv reporting the first hit. We went to the room where we could look south and see the carnage. Then we saw the second plane wobbling in. I could hear what i thought was the entire city scream as it hit and the fireball blew out towards us and i saw the pieces shoot across the city like a meteor and crash some blooks away. I heard one of our guys scream into the radio to call the pentagon, that we were under attack. I returned to my base, which was in harlem, loaded up my team and shot down to the site. The second building fell as we got there. We dug for our brothers in the emergency services unit who had evacuated some side buildings but were trapped in a canyon of buildings and were last seen pressed up against the walls when the collapse rained down on them. I remember men screaming that they had saved their lives and hugged eachother as they died. Then building 7 fell and we escaped it by the grace of god. We regrouped and searched for the next 7 days. We found no one alive. I recovered bodies at the site for those days and then body parts and finally bones for another 5 months at the staten island landfill.
I was proud to have been there and i'm so thankful that the country doesnt forget the sacrifices made by my brothers and sisters in nyc that day.
This is why the military became a career for me and I use this to remind myself of what I do...such as leaving on my deployment into the sandbox and kissing my three week old son on the forehead as I walk out the front door at 3 in the morning. I have been doing my part to serve those that fell on that horrible day AND their loved ones. My sons have to sacrifice as military children but the children of 9-11 have had to sacrifice a hell of a lot more.
Thank you for what you do sir and please know that you and people like you are constantly in my thoughts and this makes me damn proud to say that I am from NY.
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