For many on Sept. 11, survival was no accident

USA Today ^ | 12-19-01 | Dennis Cauchon

[Oldeconomybuyer]

NEW YORK

[newwahoo]

Sorry, I don't buy it. The distance between the buildings was a couple hunded feet I think. I believe it was just inefficiency and plain-old wishful thinking that led to all those people being in the second tower when it got hit.

[NYC GOP Chick]

I readily acknowledge that I am scarred for life by that, but I look for ways to make something positive come out of it.

My photographs are from the opposite direction and not from that day. In fact, after running from the collapsing towers, I didn't see my apartment again until that Sunday, when my father made the trip with me and that's when I grabbed my camera and started snapping.

That message in the dust just summed it up, even in ultra liberal downtown Manhattan.

[MissAmericanPie]

Yes it is, I get upset all over again.

[NYC GOP Chick]

I just remember the abject horror I felt when I first saw people jumping/falling. Before that, I'd seen the first tower right after it was hit and the flames were just so all-encompassing that we on the street knew that people died in there, although I tried to convince myself that it was too early for most people to be at work.

But it wasn't until I saw fellow humans tumbling out of the sky -- from 1/4 of a mile in the sky -- that the reality of death that morning really clicked in my head.

[VOA]

In each tower, 99% of the occupants below the crash survived.

Wow. Shows most of our reporters must be math/statisics-challenged.
That's a pretty amazing stat.

[VOA]

But it wasn't until I saw fellow humans tumbling out of the sky -- from 1/4 of a mile
in the sky -- that the reality of death that morning really clicked in my head.

I've decided if I get in a hot argument with a pacifist over the military/armed response
to 9-11, I'll tell them it's all about 11 seconds.

The approximate time it takes for a human to fall from the top of one of the WTC Towers.

[terilyn]

There is an excellent book on the Galveston storm. "Isaac's Storm", by Eric Larson. I don't know how old your daughter is, but even as background information for yourself, it's very good. And, very well written.

It's from the perspective of the local meteorologist.

[katykelly]

Bump for photos

I never intend to forget.

[Alouette]

So much for her rant about faulty design...

She was ranting about her pant suit.

[WillaJohns]

Only a few of your pictures are viewable, the rest, when I click on the blank boxes with their titles say that they are unavailable. Even so, the ones I can view are quite good. Thank you very much. It's almost awful to say this, but you took some great pictures. Are you a professional? I'd sure like to see them all and if you'd flag me when they become viewable I'd sure appreciate it. I've also added your site to my 9/11 bookmarks, and will check back from time to time.

[ladyinred]

It brings more clarity to the situation for those of us who were far away to see pictures and hear stories from those who were.
Seeing the scenes on the television news and listening to reporters was horrendous enough, but the real life testimonies like yours and others here are just so heartbreaking.
I hope that more good does come from this dark day in our history then we have already experienced. This nation coming together right after as one voice was the one bright spot in all of the horror.
There is still a giving spirit now, and I pray that it continues. God Bless you!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Very tough to get through this thread. :(

Yes, indeed! Thanks so much for the flag, Chase.

[Snow Bunny]

This is a very hard thread to read ChaseR.It hurts a lot , even without seeing it , 9-11.....it is always in our hearts.

[homeschool mama]

***There is an excellent book on the Galveston storm. "Isaac's Storm", by Eric Larson. I don't know how old your daughter is, but even as background information for yourself, it's very good. And, very well written. It's from the perspective of the local meteorologist.***

Thank you for the tip! I'll see if our local library has the book. I appreciate any and all suggestions to use in our schooling experience. Using 'living' books makes our studies SO much more interesting! ;o)

[2nd_Ammendment_Defender]

God Bless America

[NYC GOP Chick]

She was ranting about her pant suit.

I think that Ol' Crusty could certainly withstand being hit by a big jetliner, don't you?

[NYC GOP Chick]

It brings more clarity to the situation for those of us who were far away to see pictures and hear stories from those who were. Seeing the scenes on the television news and listening to reporters was horrendous enough, but the real life testimonies like yours and others here are just so heartbreaking.

I think it's our responsibility to bear witness to it and make sure that our spirit and resolve never waver.

I wasn't even supposed to be out there that early, but I left very early that morning to vote in the primaries. For a while afterward, I couldn't understand why it felt like I *had* to be there -- that I was put there to witness it -- but my dad said that perhaps it was so that I could tell the story and make sure that we never forget what happened and why we're at war.

[kayak]

Words fail me. As horrible as the pictures on tv have been, I simply cannot imagine what it must have been like to have witnessed it in person.

May God bless each of you who were there and give you peace. But please remain steadfast in your mission to see that this is never forgotten ... or distorted by the media!!!

We care! Our words are so feeble but please know how much we care!

[NYC GOP Chick]

Yes, we do know and it means very much -- more than words can say. But we all have to make sure that the rest of the country never forgets the horror of that day and why we're doing what we're doing.

[kayak]

bttt