Posted on 09/10/2008 6:07:02 PM PDT by truthingod
Since we are on the anniversary of 9/11, I think it is important to stop and remember your 9/11 experience. For me it started like a normal day. I was driving my kids to school at 7:10am that day. The sun was shining in that brilliant blue sky with such light! On the way to school, my daughter was asking if I was going to the school meeting that evening to discuss the 8th grade trip to Washington that would be coming up that following spring. I told her no, I thought it was not wise to go to Washington with all of the threats of terrorism--all not realizing what was about to unfold. As we drove up to the school, we saw a beautiful cloud formation in the eastern sky. I commented to my kids that this seemed out of place with such a brilliant blue sky in the background. These clouds seemed to form a crown and the sun was shining through the center of that cloud formation. I thought to myself, "whatever you see in the natual may tell us something about the supernatural." I dropped my kids off and went on to work. At just after 9:00am the announcer on the local christian radio station came on and just said, "I don't know just how to say this, but a plane has just crashed into the Trade Center in New York." I went to look for co-workers to confirm what I just heard and we ran to the kitchen to turn on our little tv. There before our eyes we saw the first tower burning and then we witnessed a second plan hitting the other tower. I ran for a phone. My husband was at our local church praying for a person whose husband had come up missing while diving in the Bahamas on September 10th. I called him and begged him to go to the schools and get the kids. I did not know if our whole country was under attack! All I knew is that I wanted my kids home. It took me nearly 90 minutes to drive home from work that night, because everyone was on the road home. Gas stations were filled with people afraid that our gas supply would be interrupted. The oddest thing was the silence in the sky--no planes or the trails from their exhaust. Our family watched the coverage on tv. We did not know what had happened to us, but we did know that our country was not the same one. Today, I choose to remember. I don't want to forget. God Bless America!
I was on a cruise in Alaska. We woke up hearing the ship’s captain on the PA system saying “Everyone turn on CNN, America has been attacked”.
Thank you for sharing your personal memories. To hear the details of people looking missing loved ones, the sights and sounds of such an attack—makes me totally remember why we want a free America with strength and dignity.
Driving into work listening to The Ticket (the local Sports talk radio station) when they mentioned that the World Trade Center was on fire, then heard a second plane had hit, and then I knew “It’s on!”
Got to work, rumors flying all over the place, that 20 planes were unaccounted for, maybe even one headed for Dallas, so I was looking out the window.
We didn’t have access to TV, but a co-worker was on the phone with his wife, when she said the tower collapsed, and right at the same time the plane hit the Pentagon. Now during those several minutes, the imagination really was going as to just how big this thing was, how many more attacks would there be. People were seriously losing their you-know-what.
Work let out at 10:30 AM, headed straight for the Carter Blood Center to donate blood, a lot of other people had the same idea. Of course at the time we didn’t know how many casualties there were, we were thinking in the tens of thousands.
I just remembered on the drive home I drive right past DFW airport, and noticed how surreal it was to see no planes in the air.
Everyone who hasn't read them, follow the replies, eventually get to posts 206, 207, 208. 211 and 212 is Huck's first replies back.
Chilling.
(((piytar)))
God bless you.
My wife and I cried all day, and still do when we talk about it.
Thank you
So true. It's telling not only in terms of the sense of community we share, but also the fact that as soon as I got to work, first thing I did to find out what was happening was to log on to FR--not some "news" channel. FR is at its best at times like that. The concern and prayers were so heartwarming. I had no idea any of that was going on in my absence. It was a very nice good feeling that I have not forgotten. Thanks for finding that other thread.
"We should shrink the cells in Guantanamo and find another one of their sh*t holes to invade."
I'm with you 110% on that!
Amen to that my FRiend.
We're all just glad that you're still here to share your story with us.
Not sure how many others were that close, had actually seen that, and lived to tell.
How long, if ever, until you stopped dreaming about it or visualizing it? I've got scary chills up my spine just thinking about it...
You folks are really nice. It warms my heart. I am drinking heavily. Sam Adams. We are a great nation. We'll be fine. I just feel so bad for the people who lost loved ones today. For me, it was an emotionally intense, insane day, fraught with danger, anxiety, and fear. But tonight I am home with my wife. I am so thankful for that I cannot tell you. Horrifying day. I watched the second tower crumble and fall to the sound of screams of horror. Just unbelievable. I am very thankful also for all the kind thoughts and prayers. I am truly touched by it. Thanks.
All holds true. Here's the thread...an amazing read...it's just like seeing it happen all over again.
I was living in El Segundo, California. Just south of LAX International Airport.
I had returned recently from a weekend trip near San Diego (Warner Springs Ranch) on Sunday the 9th.
I had dinner after a planning meeting on Monday night...didn’t get in until after midnight.
Woke up Tuesday morning, couldn’t find my alarm clock. Wasn’t wearing my watch. Had no idea of time. Went to the one place I knew I could find out the time - the morning talk shows.
Wished I hadn’t.
Thought I was watching a movie preview.
Wished I was.
First shock, then sadness, then anger, was ready for President Bush to send me after whoever did it, and I was 32 at the time.
Took my roommate to calm me down.
Stepped outside to check on my neighbors, to see if they were ok, if they knew anyone that might have been affected...and then I heard something that shocked me.
Nothing.
As in, no planes.
I always could hear planes taking off, and landing. I was that close to the airport. That day, and for the next couple of days, nothing.
I was working at a church then, and my schedule was such that I didn’t go in to work on Tuesday until later in the morning.
That drive, about 5 miles south on Sepulveda/PCH, was one of the most emotional drives of my life.
There was a McDonalds on the corner of El Segundo and Sepulveda, with a giant American flag. It was already at half staff.
I lost it.
There were still lots of flags on the streets, post Labor Day. I lost it every time I saw one.
I stopped at the Post Office near work. I saw that the flag was flying at full staff, and I went inside to ask the staff to lower it. A lady in line was crying, and it was all I could do to not join her in tears. The person behind the desk totally understood, and sent two workers outside, to lower the flag. I waited until they did it, trying not to lose it.
Much as I am doing now.
(I never have done anything like this, before or since.)
I stopped at one more place, a BMW dealership close to work, that also had a full staff flag...they too were understanding, and lowered the flag.
It was nonstop for us at the church. We didn’t have a regular service scheduled until three days later, but we set up the auditorium for full service capacity, and opened it up for people who wanted to come in and just pray, or cry, or talk to a pastor.
We had a service the next night, attended by members of the fire and police departments, some of whom were making plans to go to New York (maybe DC, too), to support their brothers and sisters.
Some of the local radio stations started playing the Star Spangled Banner at certain times, 6:00 am, 12 noon, and 5:00 pm.
Forgive me, but I don’t think I ever cried when I heard that song. Now, it’s rare that I DON’T cry when I hear it.
That’s my basic experience.
I call it one of the two things that made me politically conscious (the other was the 2000 recount). I didn’t find Free Republic, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or the like until 2003...but I can guarantee you that had I known about you, I would have been right here with you, TTT (Typing Through Tears)...
just like now.
Hugh Hewitt summed it up perfectly today, in a short message for Townhall: “As we prepare to mourn - again - we must resolve - again - that a horror like this will never happen again.”
God bless all who serve to keep us safe. May He bless the families of the departed, and all who mourn, and may God bless America.
Sorry, here’s the original FR 9-11 thread.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/520255/posts?q=1&;page=151
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing the story. People benefit from hearing/reading these stories. Be well.
I didn't forget.
And I never will.
(((MarineMom613)))
May God bless all of you who lost friends and loved ones.
bump
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