We Remember

FReepers | Sept 11 2005 | All of us

[Dog]

This will be an open thread ...please use it to post your memories of that horrible day...Sept 11 2001.

We must never forget!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Amen! May we never forget their loss. And may they never feel as though we do not care. FRegards....

[PigRigger]

I will never forget seeing those fleeing uptown from lower Manhattan

I will never forget the blood, tears, and dust smeared across their faces

I will never forget the silence a crowd of thousands can make when seeing fellow New Yorker's die

I will never forget seeing the FDNY and NYPD rush to their deaths

I will never forget my first train back into Manhattan - viewing a black cloud over where the towers once stood

I will never foreget the prayers and sobs as we all looked out the windows as we passed

I will never forget the smell that lingered in the streets for weeks thereafter

I will never forget the sense of rage I felt....and still feel to this very day

[Leapofaith]

It started as a lazy morning and was much cooler than it had been. I had just got off work and was messing around. My husband called and said "Turn on the TV we have been attacked". I stood there and said are you sure and then I watched the second one hit. Before the camera cut away I saw someone jump. I said "oh my God, Pat, she jumped she was afraid she jumped". Then I couldn't speak, I couldn't speak and I couldn't sit down. My husband just kept talking, talking, talking and I don't remember what he said. I just stood there with my hand over my mouth and I started to cry. The next thing I knew an explosion was reported at The Pentagon. My brother works with the Air Force and his group was in Washington doing something. My husband told me that I needed to try to call him. My fingers were numb I called and called --- "all circuity's are busy" I thought I was not going to be able to breathe. I got his duty officer who couldn't tell me anything yet. My brother called me at about 11:00 PM to say his group was in Virginia and he was OK. He told me that we were going to go to war and recommended we move out of this city. My family was blessed that day --- I still have my brother. He said it was a scene from Hell. He lost friends. As long as I live I will never forget that day. I can never forget that lady who jumped. I can't forget the sound of that day.

[DNME]

This one is also minor, and almost humorous in a work-related way.

I was following the morning's events on the car radio, thinking how terrible and tragic it was. I thought the whole thing might be simple pilot error after the first tower was struck, but not after the second. Then I knew it was enemy action, as did we all.

I was working for a small (tiny!) weekly newspaper in the flyspeck town of Dracut, Massachusetts, at the time, and it was deadline day so I only had minutes to turn in any fresh copy. I remember thinking how this story would be worth a strong editorial, but there was no local angle to it, so relax. (Keep in mind I was driving along at the time.) Then the news reader on the radio station stated that the captain of Flight 11, the first plane to strike the World Trade Center, was John Ogonowski of Dracut, Mass. Wait ... DRACUT?!? A LOCAL GUY??? HOLY CRAP!!!

Suffice it to say that I went from being a casual observer of history to writing the rough draft of that same history, all in the span of about three seconds!

The horror will never be forgotten, and the retribution will never be enough. Look at the payment we exacted for Pearl Harbor. Same thing.

[oldngray]

Thanks Dog, for a remembrance thread!

Never forget!

They attacked our own soil, a sneak attack on innocent people. Sixty years after another I remember so well. In both instances we have taken it to them, in spades.

May the Lord comfort the families and loved ones of those who suffered and died four years ago today.

Never forget! Be ever vigilant!

[landerwy]

bttt

[Theresawithanh]

I was with my mom at a hospice, with my sister and her husband. My dad had just left to go home and take a shower, and I was sitting with mom. I was going to get a bottle of water out of the machine when I passed my sister and her husband watching the footage of the first plane hitting the tower. I thought they were watching a movie, and I didn't pay much attention as my brother-in-law was trying to tell me what had happened, and I only half heard him, as I wanted to get back to sit with mom. It didn't hit me until I went home to shower and have a little lunch. I turned to Fox News, and sat in utter disbelief, crying and praying for America and the people who were killed and their families. Because I was so involved and worried about mom, I pushed everything to the back of my mind, as did the rest of my family. We had a funeral to plan, as my mom's condition was terminal.

Remembering this week is doubly sad for me, losing my mother, and the brutal attack on America.

My parents' house is right along the flight path to the airport and we always heard planes, so much that we didn't even pay attention anymore. The skies were strangely silent for the whole time I was there, and it was eerie.

After mom's funeral, as I was flying home to CA, I had to walk a long way from the parking lot to the airport as they were not letting cars stop in front of the terminal. My luggage was searched, and I was thoroughly searched also. This is a small-town airport, mind you, and while I always had to pass thru the scanner when I flew out, I had never had to undergo such scrutiny. I had thought ahead and had packed some food with me, as meals were not served on either of the two flights I was on.

Life in America as we all knew it was completely changed on that day.

[ladyinred]

My memories of that day will never fade. I can still recall the horror I felt sitting on my couch watching the surreal on Fox news, and reading the live thread here on FR. The world had turned upside down that day. May God be with the families who lost their loved ones that day that I will never forget, nor forgive.

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.truthusa.com/911news.html
http://www.truthusa.com/911.html

[Coop]

My wife and I spent yesterday morning with approximately 20,000 of our closest friends commemorating the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon. It was a beautiful, sunny, still day - much like that dreaded Tuesday four years ago. While waiting in a long line at the port-a-potties, I saw Kristinn. We chatted briefly, and he told me he was there with tgslTakoma and justanobody (my apologies if I forgot anyone). I then located my wife in the sea of humanity near the stage, where many were enjoying some jazz music. We kicked off the event at 0930 EDT (time of Flt 77's impact) with a speech from the Deputy SecDef Gordon England, enjoyed some more tunes from a talented USAF band, and started walking at 1000.

We headed up river (Potomac) in front of Arlington National Cemetery. The sea of patriotic, reverent walkers stretched as far as the eye could see. We crossed over the Memorial Bridge, where I was surprised to see a line of Secret Service-ish vehicles. I then found myself standing next to Senator George Allen (VA), who was shaking hands, thanking participants and posing for pictures. Then 50 or so yards ahead of us was a mob scene - in the middle of which was the septuagenarian rock star himself. No, not Mick Jagger, but Rummy! I didn't even attempt to get close to him, but just jealously smiled at the crowd of groupies and continued toward the Lincoln Memorial.

Just past the Korean War memorial we ran into three ignorant college kids who just couldn't leave such a somber occasion alone. Up to this point I had not seen anything remotely political. But there they were with their signs insulting Iraqi Freedom and President Bush. Most walkers simply ignored them, but a few (including yours truly) took great pleasure in shredding their pitiful arguments. Then another 100 yards later were the wackos themselves - Fred Phelps' Westboro "Baptist" Church cult. The authorities smartly fenced them in a good 100 yards away from the walk route, as those hate-filled freaks celebrated our soldiers' deaths, thanked God for 9/11's destruction, and insulted homosexuals. But I'm happy to report that the total number of protesters (read: sleazeballs) combined couldn't have exceeded thirty. But of course they're mentioned in virtually every news story of this solemn event.

Then a few minutes later we turned onto the National Mall, cheered by a collection of volunteers as we completed our approximately 2.5-mile trek to the rally site where a Clint Black concert awaited.

I was inspired by the tremendous turnout (despite a noticeable lack of interest here on FR.)

DoD photos
http://www.pentagonmemorial.net

[MEG33]

Thank you for sharing this..

We will NEVER FORGET

[Redleg Duke]

I wonder if Osama ever put some ice on it?

[bitt]

bump

[BOBTHENAILER]

STAY ANGRY (stolen from the Daily Terrorist Roundup by Straight Vermonter, But I love it nonetheless)

[BOBTHENAILER]

Beautiful report....thanks a lot.

[Dog]

Don't worry Bob...I'm angry.

[Coop]

You're welcome. Thanks for the nice words.

[Just A Nobody]

...Rummy! I didn't even attempt to get close to him, but just jealously smiled at the crowd of groupies...

;*) Soooo...I am now a Rummy groupie hey?

I walked sideways to get right up next to him, put out my hand, which he took with a firm shake. I told him "thank you for all you do - give 'em hel!." At that he looked me straight in the eye, gave his full tooth grin, and said, "Oh, we will!" I replied, "God bless you" and moved along.

I must say, that experience, second only to the massive turnout, was the highlight of my day. (sorry Clint)

[Coop]

You and the hundreds of others pummelling the poor man. :-)

[Just A Nobody]

Ahh Coop my FRiend - he was LOVIN it!!!