OT: September 11

[JacksLover]

Today is Septemer 11th. I remembering where I was and what I was doing when I heard about the planes hitting the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.

I was actually asleep. I live on the west coast and it was still pretty early here. My husband called me and when I looked at the caller id I almost didn't answer the phone. All he said was get up and go turn on CNN because a plane flew into the World Trade Center. I was not sure what he even said at first.

I watched the tv for a few hours then I had to take break because the images were far too disturbing. I have seen some documentaries about it fairly recently and it still stirs a lot of emotion in me.

Maybe some of you want to share your feelings.

Luckily for me I didn't know anybody that died but my ex bosses sister worked in the second tower and she made it out safely!!

 

[Rowan]

Where were you ...

I'm on the West Coast also. A friend called and all I could make out was him telling me to 'Turn on the TV, NOW!'. I got up and turned on CNN just in time to see the second plane hit the towers. There's no way to describe the shock and horror. The only feelings that came close was the first night my unit was rocketed in Rhyiadh during Desert Storm and the helpless feeling of that night. I got my husband up and we followed things for a few hours, watching and worrying as we had friends both at the WTC and at the Pentagon. And, sadly, we lost friends in both locations.

I was pretty much numb that day with bursts of incredable anger and pride. Anger at what had been done and pride at my country and the people in it as they did all they could and more to help those who needed it. I spent 'way too many hours on the internet helping coordinate online messages and chats for various Stargate and military groups [Gategoers ran a chat all day for folks to check in with each other and provide a place for folks to come and be with friends].

My local Red Cross chapter called late that evening to let me know my name was on the list to go to New York and work one of the disaster shelters, but that was later cancelled - they worked the numbers and it made more sense to send the actual funds on to the local chapters for them to get supplies than it did to get bodies out there.

The next couple of days were a total blur and, as odd as it may sound, Gatecon was a concern for me. We had so many folks planning on coming from around the world and I was one of the folks physically closest to the con site. But Gatecon went through - those who could come, both con goers and guests, made the decision not to let an outside force dictate what they could and couldn't do. Many 'firends we hadn't met yet' got together that year and were there for each other during a truely frightening time.

I know it may sound silly and petty that the con went on ahead, but, at least for me, it was a personal reaffirmation - I wasn't going to let someone else frightening me in to making massive changes in my life.

It was an experience.

Rowan

 

[SamFan]

I remember exactly what I had been doing that morning. I had walked into my fifth-grade class, late, and there had been a tv in the middle of the classroom. My classmates had been crowded around it. I had asked, "What happened?", and the teacher had said, "Two planes just crashed into the World Trade Center in New York."

I wasn't quite as innocent after that day.

SamFan

 

[webmouse]

A good friend of mine was in the Pentagon -- in the Navy wing that was hit. My neighbor was on the plane. One tiny miracle. My friend had been bounced from the conference room she had scheduled to one down the hall. She survived. No one in the other conference room did, nor, of course, did my neighbor. He had a nice smile and now he's gone.

A lot of people have focused on the WTC and New York, and yes, that is where the bulk of the destruction and death was, but do not forget the Pentagon, and the fact that a fourth plane was headed for the Capitol.

We here in the DC area are every bit as much a "ground zero" as NY. We remain in the same danger today as we did three years ago.

 

[Rowan]

Agreement

Originally posted by webmouse
We here in the DC area are every bit as much a "ground zero" as NY. We remain in the same danger today as we did three years ago.

I agree Webmouse. No one is really safe anymore. I look out my window at one of the largest deep water ports on the west coast. I live a 15 minute drive up the freeway from both Ft. Lewis and McChord AFB. A 40 minute drive from Bremerton Naval Shipyard and Bangor Nuc Sub Base. And an hour and something south of Home Port Everett. Not counting Sea-Tac Airport [one of the largest international airports around] and the home area for both Boeing and Microsoft.

Can you say 'Targat'?

Rowan

 

[JacksLover]

Rowan,

My husband was staioned at Bangor for a few years while he was in the Navy. Isn't there also a base at Everett, WA?

He was on the crew of the USS Ohio.

I agree that DC was ground zero also and I was not trying to say it was any less so than NYC.

I am sorry for all of your losses.

 

[Rowan]

No problem

I didn't think you were, Webmouse. The way of the world today, pretty much everywhere is a target in some form or fashion.

And yep - Everett is now Home Port Everett with a pretty big fleet stationed there.

Rowan