Posted on 09/10/2010 6:05:05 PM PDT by Lisa_from Buckeye Country
The reactions of Freepers after the first plane hit.
Good evening, Lisa. Welcome back. (((hugs)))
I lived in El Segundo, CA, on the east side, near Sepulveda. From my apartment, I could literally see the runway at LAX just north of me. I heard so many planes power up and take off, that it became like white noise.
I was not yet a FReeper...I was not yet overly political. I had finally voted for someone who won the presidency (Bush), but I wasn’t nearly the activist I am now.
I had returned Sunday from a weekend away. I had a meeting Monday night in the Beach Cities, followed by dinner afterwards. Got home from dinner at 12:30 in the morning. Could barely find my bed. Clothes and things were everywhere.
I woke up on Tuesday morning, unable to tell what time it was. I had no wall clock, wasn’t wearing a watch, couldn’t find my electric clock, and couldn’t see the clock on my VCR. So I did the one thing that ensured I’d know what time it was - I turned on the morning news.
Wished that I hadn’t.
Thought I was watching a movie preview. Wasn’t.
Thought they were doing a news story on the first incident at WTC. I wished.
It was on every channel. And the channels it thankfully was NOT on (like the kids’ channels), they had suspended their programming because of it.
I think that by the time I first saw it, both planes had hit both towers.
And then I noticed it. For the next two days, almost three, i noticed it.
How quiet it was.
I lived next to, or practically next to, one of the busiest airports in the world - and the destination of at least one of those planes - one where noise was a constant companion.
Nothing. No planes. No one, hardly, on the streets. The Administration grounded the planes.
I kept watching, and my emotions ran the gamut from shocked, to really bloody buggering ticked off, to great sadness. And, as one who worked at a church at the time, I had a feeling we’d be busy.
We were.
I couldn’t see a flag, or hear the National Anthem, without losing it. Some local radio stations would play the anthem at 6am, 12 noon, and 5pm, along with a moment of silence. Sports radio stations. Didn’t listen to Rush, Hannity, Laura, Snow, Levin, or any of them yet.
I passed by a McD’s with a large flag in front. It had already been lowered to half staff. Lost it. Went to the Post Office to get some stamps. People were crying in line. I asked the attendants at the window if they could lower their flag. They did. The same, at a BMW lot further south.
We had policemen and firefighters at our congregation. Every time they were introduced, a standing ovation, and tears, as if they stood in for those who could not stand.
As a hockey fan, my team’s organization lost two of its scouts on one of the Tower planes - Ace Bailey and Mark Bavis of the Los Angeles Kings. Every time I went to Staples Center to watch a game, tears again.
Tears now, recalling it.
And i remember thinking then, four words: “Mr. President, ‘get some’! Get those bastards, and those who supported them.” And he heard me...the rest of the world heard me, and the people who knocked those buildings down...would hear all of us soon.
I have never been to New York. I could not go to Ground Zero...not without someone to hug, or a punching bag in my room with OBL’s face on it. For all Freepers who were there, who were close to there, who knew - and perhaps lost - people there...after 9 years I still don’t know what to say. Just know that my heart is virtually joined with you as we remember the day we got punched in the mouth...hard...and punched back.
(((Hugs)))
Lisa, it is good to see you back. We all miss Common Tator, it was a loss deeply felt by us old-timers here.
Thank you for posting that link.
Everyone should read that.
Takes you right back to that horrible morning.
I remember that morning, every detail of it. The first news of it, then the understanding that it was an act of war. It changed everything.
A few days later, my husband was called to active duty and spent the next 2 years on active duty. Some of it at the local air base, and 6 months of it on an air base in Kuwait a few miles south of the Iraqi border.
Welcome back Lisa and thanks for this thread the night before the anniversary of which WAR was declared on America.
I had locked up my account at Oppenheimer that morning because I had forgotten my password. I called the help line at Oppenheimer located in the WTC and talked with one of the women there. They were aware of the first WTC tower on fire and were not concerned. While I was on the phone her tower was hit. Oppenheimer didn’t lose any employees that morning but it sure was eerie how someone in Mississippi was tied into someone at the WTC the very instant a historic tragedy occurred. My Cousin was in the subway station beneath the WTC and got out with a concussion. I couldn’t get to my computer that day because it was locked up and watched the event on the TV at work. A very sad day indeed.
Looks like I missed out on insights from a great man - I am sorry for your loss Lisa from Buckey Country - however long ago it has been I am sure it feels like yesterday for you.
The morning of 9/11 I had stayed home sick from work and was laying on my bed half asleep listening to Jon Scott on Fox news - saw the second plan hit and like everyone else knew it was terroism. Prayers tonight for all those still suffering loss from the tragic events of that day and for the soldiers and their families who since then have sacrificed much for us all.
I am so proud to be an American ~
I was still in bed on the west coast when my wife called me to the first plane. I got in the computer room and turned to FR and was catching up when the second plane hit and then all Hell broke out...
Very interesting read. I was on an airplane when the towers were hit, so I missed these early moments. We were bound for Orlando, and that was the closest airport when we were ordered to land. So, only after we landed and people began to turn on their cellphones were we aware that something was amiss. I still remember the look on the pilot’s face. The last time I had seen that look was of soldiers after their first experience under fire.
I was in Auckland, New Zealand. I’m a pilot, and my husband flys commercially. I was doing a last look at news before going to bed. I reloaded a forum page and a new posting was there about the first plane. I turned on Sky News immediately, and shortly saw the second plane hit. I woke my husband up when I heard that the FAA shut down the airspace. For all the shock, I knew it was historic, and I needed to tell him. After that, it was a blur until there was a knock on our apartment door. I didn’t know who it could be, and stared in shock at my cleaning woman. I realized I’d been staring at tv, FreeRepublic, and crying for 3 days. I hadn’t slept.
Another very painful thing was talking to my parents- they were on a tour of the Grand Canyon/ Southwest with a bus load of people from Cantor Fitzgerald. I can’t imagine how painful that must have been.
I also had the sad advantage of foreign news coverage. When American news stopped the graphic coverage, foreign news didn’t. That was one of things I learned from FreeRepublic.
I could say much about that day, but suffice it to say it changed my life forever. As an RN, I’ve prayed many times for the first responders, and will never forget the real time footage of the jumpers.
I remember that day. Getting ready for work, had the TV on to Fox News Channel. The north tower was ablaze, and the South tower was just about to be hit, the palne flew right into the tower. Within minutes the phone rang all medical people whom were first responders were called in to go to work STAT. The day at the hospital was a living hell. Memories of the bombing at the barracks in Lebanon and also Oklahoma City. Tomorrow will be a big day again at another rural hospital. All first responders will be at the hospital. Just a prpeparedness measure in case if there is another attack. The wimp president in the whin(t)e house will be to afraid to do anything.
Common Tator is deeply missed. He was a very wise and thoughtful poster. I’m certain it was a joy sharing his life, and thank you, Lisa, for starting this thread.
September 11, 2001 started out as a beautiful day. It was a little cool and crisp in Minneapolis with beautiful azure blue skies, the kind you only see in early autumn.
First cup of coffee in hand, I was readying my 4 year old son for his second day in preschool. The news came on the radio that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Of course I turned the TV on to see what was happening.
I was not yet a Freeper, but had listened to enough on the radio and read enough that my first thought was Osama bin Laden. The second plane confirmed my thoughts. We were at war.
Disbelief, shock, tears and anger clouded that day and many days after the attack. That day changed us forever, at least the those of us that believe in American ideals.
I didn’t take my son to school that day because I was afraid of what was going to happen next.
Last year, in 7th grade, he was assigned to write about important events since 2000. He wrote that he remembers his mother crying that day and that he didn’t understand. He said he understands now. America was attacked by evil people and that we need and have the right to defend ourselves.
Living in the flight path of jets was strange. So silent against those big blue skies.
Just my .02.
I left the television on but I was on FreeRepublic for the most part. When I checked the TV again, the Pentagon was hit. After some time on FreeRepublic, I checked the TV again and I saw the plume of thick dust and no tower that the second plane hit and my stomach sunk. Peter Jennings replayed what happened and I was stunned!
Long story short: I remember and I will never forget.
In fact, so I will always be reminded of what those demons did to us, I watch this video:
Hello. On 9/11 I was in SoCal and getting ready for work. Saw the plane hit the first tower on TV. Heard about the second plane on the radio driving in. I worked in the O.R. and was in charge of emergency services. We continued with scheduled surgeries, but I will never forget the Doc who said “they have to shoot that plane down” meaning the one over Pennsylvania, and I agreed with him. The third plane had just hit the Pentagon. I knew what he meant.
Thanks for starting this thread.
I REMEMBER... thinking that NOW people will really wake up, will grow up, and understand that we are under attack from all sides.
I could see ‘that’ in their eyes, that first day.
I don’t see it much, anymore.
o’h boy...I’m getting a towel, forget about Kleenex tonight! and thank you.
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