Kay Walker
10 years later we remember that fateful day; where we were, what we were doing, and how we felt.
September 11th, 2001 was a scary day for every American. Waking up, thinking they would have a day like any other, Americans suspected nothing was amiss. Then quickly news reports began to flow in, TV reporters were crying, radios blared out announcements. Elizabeth Owens, of Hamden CT, remembers turning on her radio on an outing with her sons to the firehouse, “There was no music at all, just news…I thought that was weird!” American jaws dropped as they learned about what would soon be a horrible tragedy. Now ten years later, these moments are burned into their memories, never to be forgotten. The stark reality, the fear, the first reactions, those are what tell the real story of that fatal day ten years ago; a day to be remembered forever.
Rather than try to tell the story of what happened, as most every American already knows the gruesome and saddening details, I’ve compiled a collection of accounts from various people. Their initial shock and reactions will do the story telling. Whether having been woken up by the news, having heard it on the radio while at work, or being sheltered from it in school, everyone can recall that day with detail. Despite the fact it was ten years ago. As goose bumps rise up their arms while describing their memories, each person quiets in remembrance.
The older generations recall more. Their accounts are vivid and gripping as they explain when the emotion first hit.
“A phone call from a friend woke me up…As an architect; I couldn't even grasp the concept of a building that large falling…It was unreal.” James Fullton.
“Thinking that it was just a small propeller plane, I prayed that somehow, no one in the WTC would be hurt. Later, I felt so very, very stupid and so very, very angry with my seemingly futile prayer that “everyone in the tower would be okay.” I remember the rumors – the Sears Towers was hit, a school in New Jersey was bombed, the Capitol had been hit.” Jen Pluznick
"It was a glorious day - the sky was so blue - the blue that can almost hurt your eyes… I was listening to the radio; I will never forget the gravity in the announcers’ voice. I pulled over to the side of the road to comprehend what I was hearing - it was too much to process. I looked up and all along the emergency lane, there were cars pulled over just like me. You didn't know what it was, but you knew it as bad, really bad and that life as we knew it would never be the same.” Susan Shields
Many people gathered around their families, seeing the loss of so many on television brought home the reality that it could have been them. It could have been a loved one that perished on the plane or in the fire trying to rescue those caught under pieces of wreckage. Their first thoughts flew to where they had relatives or friends, if anyone was in danger, and whether or not to involve their children.
“I just remember it feeling very surreal, like I was in a dream or having a out of body experience...I remember driving home thinking this can't be real, and at the time I listened to country, so that was the station I had on. The tears were just pouring down my face...once I got home I was glued to the T.V. I had to decide if I should get my daughter from school. Then I thought, the best place for her was there, I didn't want her to have to spend the day worrying with me…” Amy Lindsay
“Took my sons to the firehouse for an outing and on the way I turned on the radio! There was no music at all; just news...thought that was weird! Fireman told us what happened! I went directly to West Woods School and picked up my oldest son, Jimmy! The whole school was going crazy! Parents picking up kids...We all wanted our loved ones with us...” Elizabeth Owens
Those around my age, twenty, have a much different perspective. Many teachers were told to keep the kids calm and keep the news from them until their parents could explain it to them at home. Others experienced the teacher’s distress and just had no idea exactly what was going on. My 5th grade teacher dragged us all in front of the television and said, “The principal told us not to tell you. But this is history in the making and you all need to see this!” So we watched the news as they replayed the footage and the towers got hit over and over again. My teacher answered all of our questions as best she could. Some kids were crying, others could have cared less. I couldn’t wait to get home and see my family. Although it didn’t affect us the same as it did our parents or older generations, we children still knew something was wrong.
“I remember hearing things about a plane crash on my way to art class. And all the adults were freaking out. I remember seeing things on TV about police and firefighters helping and that a lot of smoke was everywhere and that it was a big deal.” Brittany Stafford, freshman at Gateway Community College.
“When I first heard that the World Trade Centers were hit, I didn't believe it. Until our teacher turned on our TV...I just remember seeing the building collapse and the smoke covering the TV...I was young and didn't really understand the significance”. Nick Dellamura, junior at Quinnipiac University.
“I didn’t really understand what was happening at school. But I saw my mom and dad crying and watching TV, and then I saw what they were watching and I don’t know, I just knew it was bad and a lot of people were dead. I watched the news for days after that, and I cried too because I was scared for the people I knew that were down there.” Bryan Burtis, freshman at Southern Connecticut State University.
“I remember feeling like something was wrong the entire day...our elementary school didn't share the news with us, but there was obvious distress among the adults. Getting home, my parents were glued to the TV but didn't want my siblings and I to watch. It was definitely scary since there was so much uncertainty as to what was going to happen next.” Scott Earl, junior at George Washington University.
“I didn’t have school that day so I went to work with my mom at her bank. I had no idea what the ‘World Trade Center’ was, I only knew it as the twin towers, and still didn’t know what they were. But I sat in the back and watched the news on TV, updating everyone in the bank about what was happening while they worked”. Matt Narel, junior at Quinnipiac University.
“I was in 7th grade. We went to the sanctuary where the principal and the pastor of the church that my school was attached to told us about the attacks. We joined together in a circle around our sanctuary and prayed for all of the families affected by the attacks. Starting that day my history teacher had us start a 9/11 memory book by collecting newspapers, magazines, and internet articles. We worked on the books for the rest of the school year and it is still something I have to this day.” Jennifer Rehberg, Gulf Coast Community College.
"I thought that one of the teacher's mothers had become sick or died; they weren't allowed to tell us what happened, and left it up to our parents when we got home. I remember my dad telling me straight-up what happened, and I remember crying and running to the back bedroom.” David Zeppieri, junior at Marist College.
“I could not grasp the concept of a plane flying into a building so extremely tall and all of NYC in chaos. Words can't even describe that day and the events that unfolded one after another. Part of me is grateful I was too young at the time to really understand it. If it were to happen now while I am 22 it would be a totally different story for me. I know too many things.” Nicole Gentile, graduate of Quinnipiac University.
“A teacher came into class and whispered something to my teacher…instantly the tears began to flow from her eyes.”When you go home tonight," she stuttered amidst sobs that were racking her body, "DO NOT turn on the TV!" I wasn’t aware of what the WTC were...or what had happened. But I knew I wanted to find out. So I did turn on the TV...it was like I was watching a movie. My mom was upset, and explained that terrorists had attacked our country. She said that whether I knew what WTC was or not, I should pray for the country because it was an attack on the USA not just a building. That is when I understood. And that is when I started to pray.” Amy Walker, Paier College of Art.
No matter where they were, or what they were doing, life stopped for all Americans. I’m sure you have some memory of that day etched in your mind. Everyone was affected, no matter how near or far they were. On that dreadful day many lives were lost and many people were scarred forever. Now, ten years later, we stop and reflect. Looking over the time that we united ourselves, showing support for all the families of the victims of this tragedy. Remembering, how even in a time of sorrow, we stood strong and came out of it together.
