ONE THING FOR THURSDAY - WHERE WERE YOU?
I thought, rather than post the normal 3 things, we could take a moment to reflect on September 11, 2001.
On that day, I was at work in Jessup and I remember the skies being crystal clear and beautiful. I heard pounding feet running down the steps and looked up to see several Troopers heading into the Commander's office. After a couple of minutes, they all ran upstairs to the tv lounge - so we followed.
I remember how horrified I was as they replayed over and over the planes slamming into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, the field in Pennsylvania and finally, the collapse of the towers. MSP went on immediate lockdown, everyone was called into work and civilians were sent home. I remember watching the skies near BWI as I drove north on Route 1, just anxious to be on the other side of the tunnel where I could check on my family. My main concern at that time was for my Dad, who was working at the Legg Mason building in security. The Legg Mason building, at that time, was the tallest building in Baltimore City, and receiving bogus threat phone calls.
I remember sitting at home, jus****ching tv until finally, you just couldn'****ch anymore.
That December, we visited NYC. The day we arrived, they recovered 3 more bodies of the initial rescue personnel and the following day, they put out the last of the fires - THREE MONTHS LATER. I didn't visit Ground Zero until last December - what a sight. We visited St. John's Church, which is directly across the street from Ground Zero. The church, which was where George Washington prayed immediately after his inauguration, was knocked off of its foundation THREE times, yet sustained NO damage, not even a broken window. It truly is an awe-inspiring place. In the immediacy of the attacks, the church was set up as a medical triage location, and the first casualty of the towers, Father Michael Judge, was brought there. As of last year, there were displays set up inside the church, showing the tireless efforts of the volunteers and rescue personnel. In addition, there was a huge display of patches from police and fire departments from around the world. I'm sure there was already an MSP patch in the pile, but my friend and I added another. If you get to Ground Zero, make sure you stop and visit the church and its grounds. In December 2001, all of the firehouses in NYC had black bunting and photo collages of their lost comrades - it made us heartsick to look at them, but you couldn't tear your eyes away.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure the USA has learned as much as we need to since the attacks. I, like a lot of people, think another attack is imminent. I think we've become too complacent and take a lot of things for granted like we did before the attack. I pray I'm wrong.
So as you go about your day, say a silent prayer for the people who lost their lives in these attacks - civilians as well as law enforcement and fire personnel. And say an extra prayer for their survivors and for the men and women in the military and other jobs continuing to fight for our freedom and safety.
Thanks,
Tia
On that day, I was at work in Jessup and I remember the skies being crystal clear and beautiful. I heard pounding feet running down the steps and looked up to see several Troopers heading into the Commander's office. After a couple of minutes, they all ran upstairs to the tv lounge - so we followed.
I remember how horrified I was as they replayed over and over the planes slamming into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, the field in Pennsylvania and finally, the collapse of the towers. MSP went on immediate lockdown, everyone was called into work and civilians were sent home. I remember watching the skies near BWI as I drove north on Route 1, just anxious to be on the other side of the tunnel where I could check on my family. My main concern at that time was for my Dad, who was working at the Legg Mason building in security. The Legg Mason building, at that time, was the tallest building in Baltimore City, and receiving bogus threat phone calls.
I remember sitting at home, jus****ching tv until finally, you just couldn'****ch anymore.
That December, we visited NYC. The day we arrived, they recovered 3 more bodies of the initial rescue personnel and the following day, they put out the last of the fires - THREE MONTHS LATER. I didn't visit Ground Zero until last December - what a sight. We visited St. John's Church, which is directly across the street from Ground Zero. The church, which was where George Washington prayed immediately after his inauguration, was knocked off of its foundation THREE times, yet sustained NO damage, not even a broken window. It truly is an awe-inspiring place. In the immediacy of the attacks, the church was set up as a medical triage location, and the first casualty of the towers, Father Michael Judge, was brought there. As of last year, there were displays set up inside the church, showing the tireless efforts of the volunteers and rescue personnel. In addition, there was a huge display of patches from police and fire departments from around the world. I'm sure there was already an MSP patch in the pile, but my friend and I added another. If you get to Ground Zero, make sure you stop and visit the church and its grounds. In December 2001, all of the firehouses in NYC had black bunting and photo collages of their lost comrades - it made us heartsick to look at them, but you couldn't tear your eyes away.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure the USA has learned as much as we need to since the attacks. I, like a lot of people, think another attack is imminent. I think we've become too complacent and take a lot of things for granted like we did before the attack. I pray I'm wrong.
So as you go about your day, say a silent prayer for the people who lost their lives in these attacks - civilians as well as law enforcement and fire personnel. And say an extra prayer for their survivors and for the men and women in the military and other jobs continuing to fight for our freedom and safety.
Thanks,
Tia
Tia,
Thanks so much for this post. My husband and I were sitting this morning reflecting with Memphis, who was borm three months before the attack, so thank God couldn't remember it. But as he is getting older he has alot of questions. As we sat there this morning trying to answer his questions, it brought back so many memories and emotions. We still lived in Baltimore at the time, and I was working in Rosedale. One of our guys called in saying a plane had just crashed into the WTC, we turned on the tv thinking it was just an accident...until the rest of the events unfolded. We all just sat there stunned...not answering the phones or radios...we couldn't move. Then we started getting calls from our guys in Baltimore City saying they couldn't get out of the city due to barricades...that's when true panic set in. We didn't know what roads were going to closed, if any. All I couldn think of was I need to get to my baby while I can, So I left work and went to his daycare. As soon as I saw him, I scooped him up and finally the emotion took over...I cried uncontrollably for awhile. I like you, couldn't stop watching the footage over and over again until finally I couldn'****ch again.
I was not aware of the display at the church, we go to NYC every year at Christmas...this year I will make sure to got there as well.
Sandi
Thanks so much for this post. My husband and I were sitting this morning reflecting with Memphis, who was borm three months before the attack, so thank God couldn't remember it. But as he is getting older he has alot of questions. As we sat there this morning trying to answer his questions, it brought back so many memories and emotions. We still lived in Baltimore at the time, and I was working in Rosedale. One of our guys called in saying a plane had just crashed into the WTC, we turned on the tv thinking it was just an accident...until the rest of the events unfolded. We all just sat there stunned...not answering the phones or radios...we couldn't move. Then we started getting calls from our guys in Baltimore City saying they couldn't get out of the city due to barricades...that's when true panic set in. We didn't know what roads were going to closed, if any. All I couldn think of was I need to get to my baby while I can, So I left work and went to his daycare. As soon as I saw him, I scooped him up and finally the emotion took over...I cried uncontrollably for awhile. I like you, couldn't stop watching the footage over and over again until finally I couldn'****ch again.
I was not aware of the display at the church, we go to NYC every year at Christmas...this year I will make sure to got there as well.
Sandi
During this time, I was at work in Rockville but I lived 20 blocks up 16th street from the White House. I didn't have a TV to watch but we had seen it on cnn.com and I thought it was a scene from a movie. Needless to say not much work got done that day. My parents were frantic trying to reach me but the phone lines were all tied up and no one could reach us.
the rumors were flying that there was another plane headed for the White House (I'm assuming that was the one that went down in PA). The district was locked down tight but I was able to get home ok. I couldn't believe this was happening. It was so surreal. I don't think it really hit me until a few days later what actually happened.
the rumors were flying that there was another plane headed for the White House (I'm assuming that was the one that went down in PA). The district was locked down tight but I was able to get home ok. I couldn't believe this was happening. It was so surreal. I don't think it really hit me until a few days later what actually happened.
What an awesome post Tia! I was at work that day hosting a military conference with personnel from the Pentagon, as they got word they began running out of the meeting to return to the Pentagon, I could see the smoke from my office window and I will never forget the terror that gripped my body, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Lest we never forget..........
Stephanie
Stephanie
At the time I was a manager in a retail store and me and the merchandise manager had just sent our stock crew on a morning break. We were heading out the door to take the deposit to the bank and go on a coffee run. One of our stock crew came running back inside and said, a plane hit the world trade center. Myself and the other manager swore up and down he was playing because he was such a big jokester. We got in her car and turned on the radio and JUST SAT there for like 15 mins listening to her radio because we were shocked. The reports of the radio were insane. By that time the second plane had hit. and we looked at each other and just knew what was going on. The radio was reporting on calls that were coming in from the world trade center that there were recording and people were screaming and pleading for help. Her and myself lost it. It took me several minutes to compose myself.
We finally got back to work and of course everyone was talking about it. By that time the Pentagon and the plane in PA had went down. Of course there were rumors about the white house and also the state capitol in Annapolis being hit and we were all freaking. Our district manager came to the store that day and he had a little hand held TV and we all just sat there watching it.
I also remember going home and being glued to the TV and just not being able to move. I have always said I wil never forget how that day played out and where I was.
We finally got back to work and of course everyone was talking about it. By that time the Pentagon and the plane in PA had went down. Of course there were rumors about the white house and also the state capitol in Annapolis being hit and we were all freaking. Our district manager came to the store that day and he had a little hand held TV and we all just sat there watching it.
I also remember going home and being glued to the TV and just not being able to move. I have always said I wil never forget how that day played out and where I was.
~*April*~
I was attending a training conference in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University. Someone came in to the meeting room and told us what had happened in NY. One of the attendees ran out to call home because they had a relative who worked at the top of one of the towers. We went down to the the lobby where they had set up a TV and watched in shock and horror. It did not seem real. Eventually, they closed the building and sent us back to our hotel. We could not escape the TV. I tried to call my brother because he sometimes works in the DC area. At first I could not reach him. When I did eventually get him, I found out he had gone to PA that day, to a town very close to where the plane went down there. He was anxiously trying to reach one of his friends who worked at the Pentagon. His friend had an MD appointment and thankfully was not there that day.
The one thing that we all wanted was to be with our family that day. Many of the attendees at the conference had traveled a long way and routes of travel were all on hold. I was lucky in that I had decided to drive to Pittsburgh. So I had the flexibility to travel at any time. I remember that the emotions of that time were overwhelming. I still have not forgotten the feeling.
The one thing that we all wanted was to be with our family that day. Many of the attendees at the conference had traveled a long way and routes of travel were all on hold. I was lucky in that I had decided to drive to Pittsburgh. So I had the flexibility to travel at any time. I remember that the emotions of that time were overwhelming. I still have not forgotten the feeling.
Great Post Tia: and thanks for the reminder of what day this is
I was at work in Jessup as well; we had no radio on so it was not until 30 minutes
after the first plane hit that we heard about it. We spent the rest of the day praying
and watching this one tiny tv we had at work and listening to all the radios we had.
People were naturally worried about their children in schools and being so close
to DC.
I was at work in Jessup as well; we had no radio on so it was not until 30 minutes
after the first plane hit that we heard about it. We spent the rest of the day praying
and watching this one tiny tv we had at work and listening to all the radios we had.
People were naturally worried about their children in schools and being so close
to DC.
What a phenomenal post Tia.
I was in court as a witness to an incident involving a roommate. However, my husband had taken the early train and was in NY for the day on business and was up on top of one of the buildings a few blocks away from WTC. (He's a mechanical engineer).
Needless to say I had no idea where in NY he was, or if he was okay. Phones were down and no trains were running. His company in Baltimore kept calling me to see if I had any updated news from him. Finally around 4:30, I received a call from him and immediately burst into tears. He said he was fine, though he witnessed the entire thing as well as felt the rolling heat from the flames.
He and the guy that he was in NY with were 2 of the very lucky few that were actually able to get out on the 8 p.m. train. The only one that left that day. He arrived home around 10:30 that night and I was thrilled.
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Unti the next morning when I found out my 14 year old daughter had run away in the middle of the night! Thankfully, I found her safe and sound 4 days later.
I was in court as a witness to an incident involving a roommate. However, my husband had taken the early train and was in NY for the day on business and was up on top of one of the buildings a few blocks away from WTC. (He's a mechanical engineer).
Needless to say I had no idea where in NY he was, or if he was okay. Phones were down and no trains were running. His company in Baltimore kept calling me to see if I had any updated news from him. Finally around 4:30, I received a call from him and immediately burst into tears. He said he was fine, though he witnessed the entire thing as well as felt the rolling heat from the flames.
He and the guy that he was in NY with were 2 of the very lucky few that were actually able to get out on the 8 p.m. train. The only one that left that day. He arrived home around 10:30 that night and I was thrilled.
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Unti the next morning when I found out my 14 year old daughter had run away in the middle of the night! Thankfully, I found her safe and sound 4 days later.
"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!"
Thanks Tia - we should never forget, and unfortunately many have.
I had just left working for the state of MD to work for the Feds in May of that year. I was in a 7 story building at SSA HQ in Woodlawn. When I heard the first "a plane it the WTC" I assumed it was a little puddle hopper with a new pilot, thought "what a tragedy" and kept working. Then as I heard more hussle and bussle around me I got up to see what was really going on. Then my state friends started calling, and teasing about "how's it feel to be a Fed now?". We were on lock down, but around 11:30 I left because the kid's school had closed - and as always, my entire family migrated to the Pub. All 6 of us were there, I was the last one to get there because they held us in the building here for so long, so my siblings were paniced, my ex (we were married then) was freaking out. But I got there and then we heard the rumors of the other plane headed to Camp David. FYI: Westminster is in the flight plan from DC to Camp David - needless to say, I watched a LOT of air traffic for the following few months.
In the days and weeks that followed, I remember talking to friends, co workers, etc and hearing how many were touched - this one's friend's husband was killed in the Pentagon, that one's first cousin was killed at the towers - and I just remember being so sad. But the scariest thing to me was, and still is, that they got to our Pentagon. That is frightening beyond what I think most realize.
I had one particular co worker who married a guy from Ireland (and 99.99% of the time I LOVE the Irish...) The day after she was worried at her desk because her husband was going to Harbor Place to give out anti-American propaganda explaing why we deserved this. I told her in no uncertain terms that it would be a shame if he came out of Baltimore alive that day, and if he did, I'd buy his ass a one way plane ticket. That was the anger phase of the mourning.
And since - I hang my flag daily - and will as long as there are people away from their families helping to prevent that from happening again. And I get so disgusted by those that have clearly forgotten what we all said we'd never forget.
I had just left working for the state of MD to work for the Feds in May of that year. I was in a 7 story building at SSA HQ in Woodlawn. When I heard the first "a plane it the WTC" I assumed it was a little puddle hopper with a new pilot, thought "what a tragedy" and kept working. Then as I heard more hussle and bussle around me I got up to see what was really going on. Then my state friends started calling, and teasing about "how's it feel to be a Fed now?". We were on lock down, but around 11:30 I left because the kid's school had closed - and as always, my entire family migrated to the Pub. All 6 of us were there, I was the last one to get there because they held us in the building here for so long, so my siblings were paniced, my ex (we were married then) was freaking out. But I got there and then we heard the rumors of the other plane headed to Camp David. FYI: Westminster is in the flight plan from DC to Camp David - needless to say, I watched a LOT of air traffic for the following few months.
In the days and weeks that followed, I remember talking to friends, co workers, etc and hearing how many were touched - this one's friend's husband was killed in the Pentagon, that one's first cousin was killed at the towers - and I just remember being so sad. But the scariest thing to me was, and still is, that they got to our Pentagon. That is frightening beyond what I think most realize.
I had one particular co worker who married a guy from Ireland (and 99.99% of the time I LOVE the Irish...) The day after she was worried at her desk because her husband was going to Harbor Place to give out anti-American propaganda explaing why we deserved this. I told her in no uncertain terms that it would be a shame if he came out of Baltimore alive that day, and if he did, I'd buy his ass a one way plane ticket. That was the anger phase of the mourning.
And since - I hang my flag daily - and will as long as there are people away from their families helping to prevent that from happening again. And I get so disgusted by those that have clearly forgotten what we all said we'd never forget.
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