9-11 five years later

[wildwoodchic1976]

Since the 5th year anniversary is fast coming i wanted to share with everyone here what i wrote about a year ago in my family history book that i got as a wedding gift so here goes.

September 11th Is a day i and many other american's will never forget even though its been almost 4 years since that day it is still as fresh in my memory as the day it happened.

I can remember the day it was a clear blue day not a cloud in the sky and it wasn't cold either it was nice and comfortable. I got up about 10 minutes to 9 went into the backroom of my house where my PC is turned it on and turned on my tv to watch Regis and Kelly like i do every morning but the news was on all i could think of was what new bill did the senate vote on or what does the president have to say now but its wasn't like that when i saw what was on the tv screen i couldn't believe it.

There it was The World Trade Center Towers and one of them was on fire the reporters didn't know what was happening all they were saying was that one of the towers was on fire then when the smoke cleared up some i saw a big hole in the top of the tower.

Then my phone rang it was my mom she asked me if i knew what was going on I told her no i didn't know i had just turned on the tv and saw what was going on. Then suddenly I saw something fly right into the other tower sending a burst of flames up the side of it. I told my mom that it looked like a airplane slammed right into the tower and i was right.

2 planes were highjacked in the air headed for different destinations slammed right into the heart of downtown manhattan. I couldn't believe it what i was seeing why would someone do this what motivated them to take 2 planes filled with innocent people and use them as bombs i was disgusted by this.

About an hour after the second plane hit a 3rd plane was spotted hitting the pentagon in washington d.c my first thought was my nephew and his first wife my nephew is in the navy and he was stationed in D.C then i thought why is this happening it was like the world was coming to an end then about 20 minutes later or so another plane a 4th plane crashed in a field in rual PA.

All i could think about was Oh my god there going to kill us all by using airplanes I'm never going to see my family again.

But I was assured by my family and friends that the worst was over.

All those innocent lives gone I still feel bad for all the families that lost loved ones. The babies without mother's and father's. All the son's and daughter's that lost there lives in the tower's and al the planes.

It was a sad day in america. But what i wanna know is will America ever be the same again.

Five Years Later.

Its almost 5 years later since that fateful day in NYC.

In the spot where the Twin Tower's once stood tall and proud glimming in the sun of a clear crisp day a new light will shine on that spot A Freedom Tower bigger and better shining brighter.

There will be a place for the families that lost loved ones that day called Reflecting pools.

When its finshed in 2007 i would like to go back and pay my respects to the fallen hero's and people that lost there lives of 9/11.

September 11,2001

NEVER FORGET.!!!!

[Al Alven]

A wonderful retrospective, wildwoodchic.

It is, indeed, a day and a time that no one who lived through it will ever forget. When I was younger, I always remember my grandparents talking about their memories of Pearl Harbor, and my parents and others thier age talking about "what they were doing" and "where they were" when JFK was shot, ect.

I never really believed that I, and my generation, would endure an event as tragic, with such instant and everlasting impact, as those that I read about in my history books.

And then, so suddenly, it happened.

As with everyone else, the thoughts of what happened on 9/11, along with my personal memories of what I was doing, what and how I felt, and all that happened that day remain fresh in my mind. I lost some friends that day, and I know plenty others who lost relatives and loved ones.

So sad, and so meaningless. So infuriating.

But, honestly, I still look back on that time with, more than anything else, a sense of pride. The way everyone responded, the unity shown across the country, proved to me that the resolve of the American people and those around the world is a truly powerful thing.

Five years later, the news on TV continues to portray a very grim outlook for many parts of the world, but I believe that the "good" will ultimately win out.

I think it was proven on 9/11 -- They can shake our foundation, but they can't break us. And, they'll never be able to.

[huntspier4ever]

This will be my second year in NYC... I have been down to Ground Zero several times since I started living here. I won't go down during the "anniversary" (I really HATE calling it that) because I didn't know anyone who was there that day. To me, it's like going to a funeral and not knowing the deceased; besides, friends and family of the people who died at WTC deserve to be there... that's how I see it.

I'm glad that the design of the building has changed; it was really an unattractive building and not worthy of being part of the Manhattan skyline. In my opinion, a big, boxy mess and definitely not as aesthetic as the Chrysler Building or the Empire State Building!!



I have always loved the idea of the Reflection Pools and think it's a great memorial... I am looking forward to seeing it.

Well, since the last time I have been down there, I didn't see any construction beginning. I might head down there this weekend to see what's going on. If anyone is interested, I could give you all an update.
-Kristen

[nance]

Wonderful, wonderful comments. I think that was a day that everyone knew where they were and what they were doing. I was getting ready for work and "happened" to see the tragedy unfold on tv. Both my daughters contacted me and all were emotionally in shock. It was a very scarey and uncertain time; especially hearing when all the news unfolded. I can't even FATHOM how those people must feel that lost loved ones in all those plane crashes. I sit here after watching or reading something about it to this day and I really get emotional. My daughter, at that time, was in her last year of high school and that's when she made the decision to join the Army. Right now she is over in Iraq for the 2nd time and I'm concerned for her safety every single day. It's sad to think we live in this age with so much evil and our Military is trying it's hardest to bring some stability to that devastating area. I honestly don't think anyone could ever completely stop the carnage that that country is so embroiled in. In reality, I think it's getting too out of hand. But we, as a nation, always push forward, trying to bring some kind of control and "peace?" in a region so riddled by termoil. No one knows but God what the future holds for that tormented country AND the others surrounded it.

[mickeyfinz]

I get kinda' "filled-up" with a combination of grief and anger when I think about that day and the reasons given for it happening. Instead of trying to develop my own piece about that day, I recall an article in the WW Leader that coincided with that year's Irish Festival and wonder if anyone still has it, can find it and maybe post it? It explained, in simple, straightforward language of "Who we are". Taken in the context of that day, I felt it was one of the most reflective and insightful articles about us "going on".

[nance]

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't get emotionally upset; mostly because I'm personally involved with my daughter being in the military, but I must say that I can think of no other reason but hate and jealousy for the cause of 911. Everyone in this world wants control and power and some will go to any means to get it. It is just so sad that so many innocent people then and now had to be sacrificed for someone else's warped mind.

[firemansgirl]

I remember that day well. I was in Wildwood for the Firemen's Convention staying at the Rio. We had just gotten done eating breakfast and were watching Good Morning America on TV when either Diane or Charlie said that a plane has just hit one of the Twin Towers. At first we thought it was just some kind of freak accident but then the second one hit. It was then we realized that it wasn't an accident. Someone had planned on doing that. We were all in shock and couldn't believe what had happened. It was all anyone talked about the whole week we were there. No one could actually believe someone did that to us, to hurt us like that.

[wildwanderer]

That particular day was tragic not only with the Twin Tower attack for me but tragic personally. I went to work and pulled into my clients driveway when my cell phone rang. It was the hospice nurse in charge of looking after my Mom. She told me that my Mom was close to death. We talked for about 30 minutes about life and death. Not knowing what was going on; neither one of us was in front of a tv yet. I for some reason turned on my clients tv set in their living room and thought I was watching a movie or something. Then the announcer's voice was very clear that we are under attack. Then the towers collapsed. My grief had started with the news that my Mom could go at any time. I was 37 years old and thought I was to young to lose a parent. Why?? I had a very difficult time in grieving for 9/11, the grief did not really come until I watched them one year later calling out the names and putting up the photos for the anniversary of that date. I lost my Mom on September 16th, and the one thought that my family all agreed on was that Mom was with many angels that day. Heaven's gates were crowded. She wasn't alone. God Bless America!!

[Al Alven]

wildwanderer said:

That particular day was tragic not only with the Twin Tower attack for me but tragic personally. I went to work and pulled into my clients driveway when my cell phone rang. It was the hospice nurse in charge of looking after my Mom. She told me that my Mom was close to death. We talked for about 30 minutes about life and death. Not knowing what was going on; neither one of us was in front of a tv yet. I for some reason turned on my clients tv set in their living room and thought I was watching a movie or something. Then the announcer's voice was very clear that we are under attack. Then the towers collapsed. My grief had started with the news that my Mom could go at any time. I was 37 years old and thought I was to young to lose a parent. Why?? I had a very difficult time in grieving for 9/11, the grief did not really come until I watched them one year later calling out the names and putting up the photos for the anniversary of that date. I lost my Mom on September 16th, and the one thought that my family all agreed on was that Mom was with many angels that day. Heaven's gates were crowded. She wasn't alone. God Bless America!!

Wow.

Wildwanderer... I honestly don't know what to say in response to your post... So sad... but also beautiful and uplifting at the end.

I am so sorry to hear of your tragedy. If that wasn't the most challenging time of your life, I would hate to hear what was.

Thank you for sharing this story. I'm sure it is never easy for you to relive this time... it takes a lot of courage on your part to do so.

[nance]

Wonderfully put, Wildwanderer; very moving. I can only imagine what the survivors of people lost that day are starting to feel right now with the anniversary coming around but in a tragedy like this one, I don't think the pain truley ever goes away.

[huntspier4ever]

I went down to Liberty and Greenwich Streets to check out the progress at Ground Zero... some work has been done since the last time I have been there. I've also heard that September 11th observances will be held at Ground Zero for the 5th year.





Since everyone has been sharing their 9/11/2001 stories, I will tell you mine. I was living in Baltimore and it was the clearest day; beautiful weather, bright blue sky, not a cloud in sight. I would walk to work or ride my bike (yes, it is a beach cruiser!) to our office which was located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor in the Power Plant building. So I bring my bike into our office and when I get back to my desk, a co-worker (Rich) says to me, "A plane hit the World Trade Center". Immediately, I think it's odd because in the Inner Harbor, there is a building called the World Trade Center but everyone around me is getting on CNN or FOX News online so I knew it wasn't our building. The next thing I remember is seeing that horrible image of the North Tower and the plane "shape" in the side. Another co-worker (Timmy) runs in the back of our office, grabs this little portable TV and we watch as another plane hits the South Tower. Then we get word that a plane has hit the Pentagon and my friend (Marty) starts freaking out... her husband is an engineer who is touring the Pentagon! (She hears from him about an hour later and he is fine.) All of my co-workers and I watch in horror as the South and North Towers come down and we are asked to go home; due to our close proximity to NYC and Washington DC. No one knew what was going to happen; I remember riding my bike home and everything being so eerily quiet. My roommate and I were glued to the TV all day long, waiting to hear news of survivors, catching the people who did it, etc.

WOW, it's 5 years later now and those memories are so vivid... like it happened yesterday.

[cutietnj]

Thanks for the pictures Kristen. You are right 5 years and it seems like yesterday. From where I work and on the drive home to where I used to live you could see the whole NYC skyline. I remember sitting at a red light and just seeing the big huge clouds of smoke in the sky and not believing any of it. I know of at least 2 of the parents at my school who were in one of the towers and thank god made it out alive. This was my 1 month wedding anniversary and as of that morning I had plans of cooking a nice romantic meal - well that went out the window since I spent the rest of the night glued to the tv.

[hulk007]

Definitely a day that changed us forever. I was working at an elementary school in Fair Lawn, NJ at the time. I heard lots of comotion and people saying "did you hear what happened?" My first reaction was that a kid brought a gun to school but then someone said planes flew into both towers and the pentegon and there were still several other planes in the air(no one was sure at the time). Just the state ofb utter panic by everyone was hard enough. Teachers had difficulity maintaining composure and parents were taking their children out of school left and right. When I got home that night and watched the news I thought I was watching a movie, none of it seemed real. But the most inspiring thing is seeing people helping others in times of crisis. 5 years later the pain is still there but we are continuing to help ourselves heal. As someome said earlier, you cannot break the spirit of america and for that reason alone the "bad guys" will never be able to win.

[nance]

These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.-------------President George W. Bush, 9-12-01

[ContessaAnisha]

I ha no clue anything was wrong til after the second plane hit. I was on the beach here in Wildwood. Was a perfect beach day, clear skies, only a few folks out. ..and the ocean was calm and just beautiful. Wandered home and flip on the tv as I passed by on my way to the restroom. When I came back into the living room, I was not sure what I was seeing. I thought a movie was being reviewed til Katie Coric said this is what happened just a few minutes ago, and they replayed the second plane hitting! I had never really known what people meant by having ones knees buckle til then. I just sorta dropped to the sofa and stared at the tv in disbelief.

I still have a hard time believing the Twin Towers are gone. They just seemed so...indestructable.