9/11/01

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   lrohnerposted 14 years ago

   It is now the 9th anniversary of 9/11, and I am crying as I write this. I lived in Florida at the time and was up here for meetings in NYC. I stayed in Connecticut to see friends, planning on commuting in the next day.
   
   That morning, I was driving down I-95, almost into New York City. I was on a conference call with folks in Washington, DC. I didn't really notice that the roads, usually filled with traffic, were empty. I heard a commotion on the other end of the phone, and then heard one of them yell, "They bombed the Pentagon."
   
   We had offices in DC, so I called my Miami office to tell them that something had happened, and that they should check on Carolyn and Gary. That's when I heard the news.
   
   I vaguely remember going back to my hotel room, all alone, and trying to call my kids in Florida and friends in NYC. The phones were all jammed. I couldn't make or receive any calls. There were sirens sounding off everywhere.
   
   I turned on the television in time to see a live broadcast of a man jumping off of the towers. That is what I think of every time I remember 9/11. That one man. I get ill when I think about it.
   
   I remember just feeling very lonely and sick, not being able to get in touch with anyone. I drove down Route 1. People were all over in groups, holding candlelight vigils on the side of the road. I stopped at a few of them. Dazed. I listened to people talk about the children they knew whose parents hadn't come home that day. I heard all of the stories.
   
   It was almost two weeks later before I was able to get home to Florida. It was three weeks before I learned what happened to some of my friends.
   
   If I can ask one favor of any of you today, please stop talking about the political aspects of this. Please stop discussing religion. Please think about the people who lost their lives that day. Please.

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      dutchman1951posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am sorry Irohner, my prayers are with your friends and also for my father. he was in building 7 when the tower fell. may peace find you my friend.
      
      God Bless
      
      Jon

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         lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I am so sorry, Jon. My thoughts and prayers are with your family as well.

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      vox vocisposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sorry because of the way you feel. I guess this event made many Americans feel very unsafe. I was ten when the civil war started in my country, I remember the bombs falling every day all around, they hit our building twice (we were close to the police station, hospital and the old city - favourite targets of the enemy). Many of our friends died. Oh, so many stories I could tell, but I rather try to forget all about it. What happened to my mother's family in the World War II is another ''juicy'' story. God has taken care of those people who died on that day, my suggestion to you is to pray for the living cause they really need it and don't get emotional reading discussions on forums about this topic. Maybe a little cold to say, but although it's sad what happened, it's just one tear drop in the sea of tears on Earth...Pray for the Americans who are constantly on other grounds fighting in wars that aren't really theirs to fight!

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2. 69

   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Be Strong America... We Felt Your Loss Here Too and Asked WHY..

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3. 81

   Benjimesterposted 14 years ago

   Thank you for sharing your feelings and story Irohner.  You have a good heart.

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      sofsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I shuddered to see it on the TV screens that day, my prayers and thoughts with all Americans, we have felt the same here in India, time after time. Meaningless, inhumane  acts resulting in so much sorrow ,loss and pain.

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4. 74

   mythbusterposted 14 years ago

   lrohner,
   
   what is it you feel you need right now - on this anniversary which brings such a heavy and intense reminder of that day for you?

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      lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      MB-What I really need today is for people to stop talking about burning the Quran or building a mosque, and just let today be a day for the victims and their families.

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5. 67

   Diane Insideposted 14 years ago

   This was an awful day burned in our memories. I remember exactly what I was doing that day. As I am sure many people do.
   
   Yes we should all remember those who were lost on that day and all their loved ones.
   
   Forgetting politics, forgetting religion, and just pray for those who were caught up in this awful, tragedy.
   
   My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

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   ksha16posted 14 years ago

   How can we make sure 9/11 like events do not happen again?

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7. 39

   wavegirl22posted 14 years ago

   I lost my cousin Peter. He was 35. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald.
   
   To quote the New York Times
   
   "September 11: Portraits of Grief"
   
   
   Peter R. Kellerman : Dogs, Drums, Motorcylces
   
   
   זכרונם לברכה
   bless his memory

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      lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      WG--So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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8. 70

   Rod Marsdenposted 14 years ago

   I was living in Australia at the time of 9/11. I saw what happened on my TV set.
   
   A friend of mine, Chris Sequiera, who was in New York at the time contributed art to a comic book the profits to go to those affected by the tragedy.
   
   Back in the '70s I was in New York when the Twin Towers were still under construction.
   
   I am sorry about your loss wavegirl22.

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9. 81

   elayne001posted 14 years ago

   My husband and I were in NYC in August only a few weeks before 9/11. We walked those streets with my husband's cousin, and were so shocked when we heard the news. Luckily she was out of harm's way. Every time I watch the news of what happens I cry, partly for sadness, partly for anger. Why didn't we see it coming? So many lives affected - even to this day.

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    LaMamaLoliposted 14 years ago

    Thinking of you all from across the pond. Big hugs and stay strong.

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       Rod Marsdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       An English rose.

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11. 60

    richtwfposted 14 years ago

    Yes it is a poignant day for all of us and even with the passing of time and years it doesn't erase the painful memories of that tragic day in our history.
    
    I wrote a poem of those loved ones lost and so cruelly taken - a personal gesture of remembrance to them.
    
    Be strong and our prayers and thoughts go out to you all in America on this day to remember lives lost - they will never be forgotten.

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    CMHypnoposted 14 years ago

    Today should be a day of respect and remembrance of those who lost their lives.  It will be terrible if more tragedy ensues today and more people suffer injury or lose their lives because of the ongoing political/religious arguments.
    
    A profound tragedy like the loss of life on 9/11 should help to move us away from violence and dissent and towards understanding and reconcilation.
    
    There is no political or religious viewpoint that is worth anybody losing their life over - every human life is precious and sacred, and should not be sacrificed for words and so that someone can win an argument
    
    So everybody please heed Irohners request, and give it a rest just for one day

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13. 71

    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    I saw it on the news here in Australia at 9.am. I could not absorb the horror at first it seemed surreal. Then the full horror unfolded as the second jet hit.
    
    I remembered being in New York for the first time in September 1977 and seeing the Towers out of my window on the 16th floor of the Taft Hotel where I was staying, and remembered the awe inspiring view of what was at that time an engineering marvel.
    
    My heart sank when I saw this mindless real time horror and noises came up in me like animal grunts as my mind struggled to absorb the enormity of it all.
    
    The Australian people responded immediately with outrage and empathy for our American cousins, and if you don't mind a foreigner responding to this very personal post, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to all the friends and family  of Americans and the world who lost loved ones in 9/11.
    
    The people who died were from a vast range of cultural backgrounds including many from other countries and many of us as far away as Australia lost friends as well.
    My thoughts are with you on this day.

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       Rod Marsdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Well said earnest.

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          earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks Ron. I appreciate that.

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             Kangaroo_Jaseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Aye,
             
             Our thoughts go out to all the family and friends lost on this most tragic of events.
             
             To our brothers and sisters in the USA and to all our Australian brethren that also lost loved ones as well as all those from the 90+ different countries, such a horrific day, that history bears to never have such repeated ever again.

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             Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Ummmmmmm...you're welcome?

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                wavegirl22posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                having a little senior moment today . ..
                oh Ron How I needed a little giggle this morning. .thanks for that one!

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                   Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Check out the Colts for a real laugh...

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                      wavegirl22posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      sorry I saw that not so funny laugh. . .
                      
                      but now you know what time it is. .. . .
                      
                      

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14. 0

    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    The world lost a lot that fateful day. Sympathies to all who lost a loved one.

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15. 84

    Lily Roseposted 14 years ago

    I did not lose anyone that I know that day, but my heart is heavy today with the memories of what happened.  My heart and prayers go out to anyone that was affected by this tragedy.
    
    I can barely remember what I did yesterday or the days before that, but I remember that morning and the following weeks very clearly, from the moment I received that telephone call that woke me up at 5 something in the morning (I was in CA then) to tell me that we were under attack.  I was in a position of law enforcement at the time and worked around the clock for days on end just doing what needed to be done to secure our borders.
    
    I'm with Lisa - let's all just remember those affected today...

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       lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks, Lily, for doing your part to keep our country safe.

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16. 88

    Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years ago

    That day was such a shock. That morning before the event, I awoke with the last migraine I ever had (hadn't had one in several years, either), called into work since my vision was affected, and went to sleep. Mid-afternoon, I went to a little store nearby where a radio was loudly broadcasting disaster news. Startled, I aksed what happened and a clerk burst out, "We're at war!"
    
    Back at home, I turned on the TV and saw and heard unedited footage of the horror replayed and of peoples' reactions. There was nothing else to say than what they shouted in agony and disbelief. I will always remember and feel sad. But also awed by the firefighters and rescue/cadaver dogs and everyone that worked hard at Ground Zero. A friend's sister working at the Pentagon happened to walk to the other side of the building just before her office was hit. Saved.
    
    I mourn the lives wasted for bad reasons that day and the loss of a feeling of well-being in people around America. Several in my city suffered such emotional trauma and were hospitalized, some long-term.
    
    I also do not want to hear any of the foolish type of politics or religion this day; am still startled and add this disaster to those of Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia as the trio particularly burned into me. When Jerry Lewis mentioned wanting to slap Lindsay Lohan for her behaviors in the light of human disasters like Muscular Dystrophy and others, I can't agree with slapping, but I understand the feeling.

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    elayne001posted 14 years ago

    From the ashen sky we feel the molten debris cauterize our wounds,
    numbing us to the desperate leaps from windows of lava
    melting high above the expedient pavement of New York.
    Frenzy and chaos give way to anger and despair
    as angels risk stairways of death,
    the glass and steel bending its last breath to the will of Al-Qaeda thugs,
    (as if America were only spires of concrete or the dollars striping Wall Street).
    
    Liberty did not bend an inch today nor bow her proud head to terror.
    Her flame was not extinguished by renegades
    contorting her frame into a twisted version of Justice
    (as if Liberty needed terror’s graffiti to enhance Her image,
    or hand-slap Her graceful fingers).
    
    In the skies over Pennsylvania,
    America swings back at the sucker-punch of United Flight 93,
    resolute in preserving the ideal,
    reflected in faces like Tom Burnett’s and Todd Beamer’s,
    openly;
    not hiding darkly as in a glass,
    or cowering in caves shrouded in the anemia of a sickly god.
    
    As towers crumble,
    as the tephra of metal and ash
    plume like Vesuvius gone mad,
    we revere a photo of a bleeding child
    enfolded in a firefighter’s blackened arms,
    and like America, both destined to live on–to remember,
    and to light the way,
    because the torch is not fastened to Lady Liberty,
    but to us all.
    
    A Tribute to 9/11
    By Wm J. Monahan

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    Shadesbreathposted 14 years ago

    I remember having to go to work that day.  Every shop I called on had the TV on and watched, over and over, like a nightmare stuck on endless loop.  I too have forever burned into my memory the image of one man leaping to his death.  I remember how tiny he looked compared to the building and the empty sky.  So small, and yet his memory looms larger in my mind's eye than anything. I wish I knew his name so that I know who it is I weep for.
    
    I remember the sense of unity we all had.  As Americans.  But also as people. Humans.  We were so together.  In the weeks and months that followed, we waved and nodded to one another, looked eye to eye without having to turn away fearing some offense.  Firemen were in the street and people were dropping hundred dollar bills into those long, rubber boots.
    
    We could do anything then.  We were unified.
    
    I wish we could get that back again.  Without such horrendous tragedy.
    
    My best to those of you who lost loved ones.  I wish you did not have to know that kind of pain.

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    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    there was a thread of humanity that was unlike anything I had ever experienced in the days and months following. it was like a self-preservation keeping us strong and together, a wave of compassion. 
    
    that morning I had walked to deliver the student attendance to the front office at the school where I worked. I walked past a room and saw the administrators and a few teachers standing, gazing at something, their faces were all the same. I went in the room and looked up and saw a plane crash into a tower. I had no idea what was happening, but I knew whatever it was was real. then they briefed me on what had already took place. this was the second plane. I burst out crying and just stood there numb for I don't remember how long. I had to get back to the classroom and told my co-teacher what happened. she took off running to go see. she is from Long Island and from a family of fire fighters. we both went on auto-pilot for the remainder of our work day and did our best to remain calm with our Pre-K children. like everyone else, it's all we could think about. when I got home, my sons and I were glued to the tv. what else can I say. it was a horrifying day.  peace to all those who lost someone on this terrible day.  {{hugs}}

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    yoshi97posted 14 years ago

    On that fateful day, 2,966 people perished, and what was once America died as well. Nine years later, and the freedom we once knew still hasn't returned to us.
    
    We fear mass transportation, large events, and major cities, as they could be the site of another attack.
    
    We fear each other, for as we have learned, terrorism is not a face that can easily be picked out among a crowd.
    
    And we fear what we have become, for we no longer trust immigrants as we once did - and that really hurts, knowing full and well that America was founded upon immigration.
    
    
    Sadly, terrorism scored a victory that day as it permanently changed our lives, leaving us in a state where we no longer feel safe. We have good reason to be fearful, and it's sad we can do nothing to wipe it all away and feel whole again.
    
    For those who lost loved ones, the sting is the hardest. They lost much more than their freedom that day, and will never be able to regain back that which they have lost.
    
    
    But we must remember that the world morns with us. Those who died hailed from many countries around the globe, so when they struck out at us, they struck out at the world as well.
    
    May those who died find peace, and may those who lived find the strength to go on. If we stand together as a nation then the day will return when we once again can be the America we once was.
    
    They hurt us deeply ... they made us bleed ... but we remain on as Americans, and that they can never take away from us!

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    Teresa McGurkposted 14 years ago

    I was in the classroom in South Carolina. After class, another professor said that a plane had hit one of the towers. I thought he meant a small single-seater aircraft for some reason, but when I got online there were the pictures. . . in the time it took to walk over to the student lounge, where there is a big screen tv, the first tower had collapsed.
    
    One of my students approached. "My uncle was in NY today for a job interview," she said. Not a good day to be in New York, I replied. Where was his interview?
    "82nd floor of the (first) tower, 8:30am. But I'm sure he'll be ok. Won't he?"
    Gulp.

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    wavegirl22posted 13 years ago

    So hard to believe it is ten years. . .since that day.
    
    

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