It’s the “where were you” question of my generation. When my mom was alive, she could tell me where she was when Challenger exploded and Kennedy got shot. When my son gets older and starts asking questions, I’ll be able to tell him where I was when America was attacked on our own soil.
I was 17 years old, just started my freshman year of college. I was getting ready for my Tuesday morning Math class. I was listening to the radio in my room (those of you that live locally, 107.7 The X’s Beaner and Ken morning show – that station and show are long since gone now…) They were laughing about something, I don’t remember what, when one of them said, “I’m reading reports of a plane hitting one of the trade center towers.” What? At that time, it wasn’t known that it was a commerical airline. They were thinking small personal plane and how a pilot could “accidentally” hit the World Trade Center. I stop to listen for a minute then carry one with my morning routine – at that moment, the seriousness of the situation was not known.
Then a few minutes later, “The second tower has been hit!” That’s when I turn on my TV. The images on the TV at that moment are forever burned into my memory. I was home by myself. Mom was already at work and dad was in St. Louis on business. St. Louis? I knew nothing about St. Louis. Did it have big buildings? Would it be a target for whoever was behind this madness? I called Mom just to make sure she knew what was going on. She did. And Dad was ok.
I tore myself away from the TV to go to class. But students were turned away upon arrival. No one was sure what was going on or what the remainder of the day was going to hold but it was clear that classes would not be beneficial as there were many upset/worried/scared students and faculty present.
So there it is. That’s my “Where were you?” story. What’s yours?
I was working in a ER in Tennessee. We were a level one trauma center and had been on the phone with the ER in NY. They were looking for other trauma centers to accept patients since there would be so many. Sadly, within an hour we realized that there were no patients to treat as most of them had perished. It was an unreal day.
I had just walked into the Clinic where I work and a few people were in the waiting room outside my office watching the TV.
I asked what had happened and someone told me.
As I stood there I saw the second plane hit and I will always remember that horrible feeling, the realization and saying out loud.
“It isn’t an accident”
I had a hard time working that day. Sitting in an office by myself and actually having to call Empire BCBS in New York and not realizing they were in the World trade Center until I got a rcording saying the phones were not in service.
I also remember the panicky feeling that lingered for days. Feeling so afraid and not understanding why since I am far away in Indiana.
I have been watching 9/11 specials on the History Channel today and a lot of those scared panicky feelings (although not near as bad) have returned.
Have seen many many stories of heros amoung us :o)