Initial News Bulletins
8 years ago. It seems like yesterday and it seems like a life time ago. It feels like 2 wars ago, and yet we are still at war– we have troops in harm’s way. The war in Afghanistan, where many of the criminals of 9-11-01 got their training, rages on, and Americans lose lives daily.
Every one of us has added to our collective memory that knowledge of knowing exactly where we were and exactly what we were doing the moment we learned that our country was under attack, much like older people can tell you what they were doing when they learned of Pearl Harbor or where they were when they first learned of the assassination of JFK. No incidents have recorded themselves quite as permanently, quite as indelibly, as those three events in the minds of Americans. You and every sentient person alive on 9-11-01 will forever have this memory in common.
This thread will be an open 9-11 thread. Many of you have much to share regarding this day.
Links of Interest:
Slideshow Tribute (Enya and Lee Greenwood)
Tribute to 9/11 Victims (has thumbnail pictures) slideshow
God bless the heros of 9/11 and God bless our troops.
I remember how scared the elementary school students and parents were that day. Teachers were scrambling to keep everyone calm, as one by one, students were called to the front office to leave the building (panicked parents were picking them up). I remember the helplessness of not knowing what was happening, and seeing staff members who had a relative in DC crying. All the phone lines were jammed and people couldn’t be reached. Finally, I remember the first time I saw the TV footage of the Towers coming down; my colleagues and I couldn’t even process what was going on.
I echo your sentiment, Starryflights. Thank you to those who risked or even lost their lives trying to save others. We will never forget…
Well said by M-H and S-F both.
I will never forget that day. I was just watching a show on the History Channel, a firefighter was reliving that day.
I have my respect for all those that lost their lives just 8 short years ago. What is often forgotten is the number of non firemen and non police officers that gave their lives trying to help others.
Peace to all who suffered and/or dies because of this tragic event. May hatred never rule. And may fear never push us to do things we would not otherwise do.
Lowell @ http://www.bluevirginia.us/
gets my vote for posting the best tribute video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfvSKgrjHqE
I could not come to grips with 9-11 for a few days. I was at a fairly new job site and media resources were non-existent. I could not leave and go home. Cable had not been hooked up.
It was like I was watching a grade C movie. Convincing myself it was real was very difficult. Meanwhile anger set in. To this day I have to sleep with news on, probably because I could not get to the news on 9-11. That worked out real well for me on 7/7/05 when UK got 9-11’ed. At least I knew. Of course I was in Quinalt, Washington when that happened.
I need an anniversary date to renew my anger and resolve. I have to stay angry. I am also opposed to the military leaving Afghanistan. We will just have to go in and kick their asses all over again. We need to keep a very sharp eye on Pakistan also.
@Anonymous
That is a good point, Anonymous. That said, I heard a story on NPR this morning that interviewed an elderly man, former NYC firefighter. One of his sons followed in his footsteps. The other became a police officer. He spoke to them both and told them he loved them on Sept. 10. Then he lost them both on Sept. 11th. The story brought me to tears. But the father was very brave in telling it. He said he had no regrets and was proud of his sons and was gratified that he got to say goodbye the way he did.
I was working at the hospital juggling five patients with no ability to leave to pick up my children and take them home from school. I was sick with anxiety for them, but couldn’t abandon my patients.
I was very envious of those who could just leave their job, Emma.
I remember cell phones being jammed and switchboards being bottlenecked. The lan and wan at my job were both bottlenecked.
It even occurred to be that there might be a land invasion. I didn’t worry about that very long though.
I am sorry more people didn’t share their experiences from 9-11.
The history channel had some good shows on. I needed to see them to remind myself of things I need to remember. I needed to refuel my anger.