September 11th

theartistformerlyknownas · September 2014

sarahbear31 said:

Shit. I just checked my Facebook and saw a picture of the plane hitting the North Tower on my newsfeed. Ugh.

Who the FUCK does that?! Mine historically has been all crying eagles and waving flags.

JCbride2015 · September 2014

sarahbear31 said:

Shit. I just checked my Facebook and saw a picture of the plane hitting the North Tower on my newsfeed. Ugh.

I'm never ready for that.

And okay, I really am going to bed now. Goodnight everyone!

CMGragain · September 2014

I was teaching in an Elementary School just outside of Washington DC. DH was still working at a Dept. of Defense place north of DC. I watched panicked parents running in to take their children home. This only frightened the children more. I found a young teacher crying in the hallway. As usual, the Mommy gene took over, and I gathered the strays into a classroom and started an art project. After a while, I took my copy of Toy Story down to the office, and they ran it on the school TV system to calm the remaining kids. People forget that the Pentagon was hot, too, and hundreds of people were killed. My husband never got over this day, and retired as soon as his chance came up.
We fly the flag on 9/11.

missdelilah · September 2014

sarahbear31 said:

Shit. I just checked my Facebook and saw a picture of the plane hitting the North Tower on my newsfeed. Ugh.

Wow! That's beyond distasteful.

holyguacamole79 · September 2014

lolo883 said:

sarahbear31 said:

Shit. I just checked my Facebook and saw a picture of the plane hitting the North Tower on my newsfeed. Ugh.

Who the FUCK does that?! Mine historically has been all crying eagles and waving flags.

usually mine, too. This person shared some random dudes story about how his dad died trying to save people in the rubble. Touching story, but I don't see why that picture needed to be attached to it. Ugh.

I'm hitting the hay, too. Goodnight, ladies!

theartistformerlyknownas · September 2014

Me too. Good night, internet friends!

sophhabobopha · September 2014

sarahbear31 said:

Shit. I just checked my Facebook and saw a picture of the plane hitting the North Tower on my newsfeed. Ugh.

Christ. Me too. I was actually only six when it happened. I remember we were having show and tell and my mom pulled me out of school. I think it was the year after, I saw footage of people jumping from the buidings and I was so shaken.

bethsmiles · September 2014

sarahbear31 said:

Shit. I just checked my Facebook and saw a picture of the plane hitting the North Tower on my newsfeed. Ugh.

I hate when people post those pictures. I try to avoid Facebook on September 11 for that exact reason.

I was 11 when it happened. I saw it on the news before anyone else in my family as I was walking out of the bathroom and remember just standing in the door way frozen for a moment and then yelling for my dad. My uncle was supposed to be there that day but had changed plans at the last minute. It was a really scary few hours before we got a hold of him though.

I didn't handle it well when it happened. I had nightmares for weeks afterwards and I would end up waking up my parents because I would be screaming in my sleep.

My family also flew to Orlando (from Idaho) shortly after 9/11 (probably 3 weeks) and it was horrible. Our plane hit really bad turbulence and people were screaming and crying the pilot had to say several times over the intercom that it was only turbulence. My dad and brother also happen to look middle eastern so security was a disaster.

I don't think I was really old enough to fully understand everything about 9/11 and how much changed that day. I had the nightmares but didn't even fully understand why I had them and I really didn't understand why everyone was freaking out on the plane (I flew a lot as a kid and was very used to hitting turbulence, I think had I been less used to flying I would've been as freaked out as some of the passengers).

Viczaesar · September 2014

I doubt I will see more than just a handful of posts about it, but I might end up surprised. I'm a native Californian living in California, and at least half of my FB friends are Californians as well.

A couple of years ago I was teaching an introductory class on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and it just happened that our discussion of the 9/11 attacks fell on 9/10 and 9/11. That is honestly just how the schedule turned out, and there wasn't really any wiggle room (intensive summer course, schedule tight). I was worried at first that it would be too emotional for my students, but as it turned out my students had little emotional reaction to 9/11 at all. They were all so young when it happened, and I'm sure being geographically distant from the attacks also played a role.

mrscaty · September 2014

sarahbear31 said:
Shit. I just checked my Facebook and saw a picture of the plane hitting the North Tower on my newsfeed. Ugh.

Yup, I've got one on my feed, too. I always like to do silent reflection myself on Sept 11. To me, It feels more personal and genuine than touting how much I care on facebook.

I was also 11 when it happened, and in 6th grade. My teacher was hysterical because her brother worked at the Pentagon (he was ok). They actually gathered all the 6th graders together and turned on the news so we could see what was happening (something the principal was not happy about but most parents actually appreciated). We then wrote down our reflections about it and talked. I think it helped a lot of us process what was going on.

Chipmunk415 · September 2014

I was a freshman in high school. They told us during morning announcements before jumping into lunch menu. It honestly sounded like a very distasteful joke when we were informed. I was in science class watching the towers fall.

So far nothing is popping up on my news feed. But I think I will bring donuts to the office today- we've a lot of military and law enforcement vets and retirees on our staff and we lost a guy some years ago when he rejoined the army after 9/11- he was KIA.

I will never forget how fuming mad my dad was about a week after the attack. He was at the hospital reviewing some records for a case in the break room, sort of hidden by a partition. A group if doctors came in and started making all these comments to each other as to how much the US deserved this attack, there should be more like them, etc. Dad could hear it. Dad is a USMC combat veteran. His response scared the shit out of them and they are lucky he didn't break any jaws arms or legs.

flyingfoxes · September 2014

I hope someday to make it to the memorial. I went while construction was happening about 6 years ago I guess?

JaxInBlue · September 2014

I was a senior in high school on 9/11. All of our classes had the option of turning the news on, and I remember on of the health teachers going around urging people to turn TVs off because it would be psychologically disturbing to us.

I'm a New Yorker, too, but live much further upstate so there was this weird combination of feeling a part of what was happening - my state was attacked, almost everyone around me had a connection to NYC - and a great disconnect that this couldn't be happening because it seemed so absurd. When I first saw news reports, there was still the idea that it was an aviation accident or pilot error. We saw the second hit happen in real time, on the news broadcasts.

It was the next few days that were the most surreal for me; a lot of my classmates and friends had parents who were State Police or National Guard/Reserves and who were called up in the first round of mutual response. They were all scared for their parents to be gone, and no one really knew what came next.

9/11 was also the first time I got to see the political sides of grief and death; prior to the 9/11 attacks, September 11 was commemorated in my home town as local history event associated with the War of 1812. I remember there being a lot of discussions about whether or not the weekend activities meant to commemorate the War of 1812 should go on in light of what happened. I actually don't remember the final decision, but I remember the conversation being really divisive at times.

chibiyui · September 2014

I have no personal connection to 9/11. I remember where I was and everything though. I will try to avoid Facebook today.

mrsmagicgeek · September 2014

I was 32. I worked for a company that had lots of customers in the towers. I didn't know any of them very well, but I was pretty friendly with several of them as I had known them for years. All of them were lost that day.

One of my coworkers was supposed to be there on travel that day, but at the last minute his trip was rescheduled. He still feels lucky to have not been there, and yet guilty because he was not.

I moved to upstate NY shortly afterwards and started working for the government (contractually). I've been with that company ever since.

emmaaa · September 2014

I was 10 years old and in the fifth grade. Our teachers and principals decided it would be best to not show the news coverage. I remember parents coming to get their children and we had no idea what was going on. My parents were both at work and couldn't leave, so my brothers and I were some of the few left in school. My aunt ended up picking us up and taking us home.

Even though I was young, I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember walking into school the next day, seeing teachers' distraught faces, hearing talk of World War III, and talking about how confused we all were.

I don't think this is a NYC thing, or even a USA thing. I think it shook the world, but some, unfortunately, hit closer to home. I feel fortunate that I didn't lose anyone that I knew. The 9/11 attacks are what inspired by brother to join the Army because he felt helpless and that was the only way he felt like he was doing something.

Every year, we lower our flags to half-mass, the town I work for had a memorial service this morning, and I observe the moments of silence. I feel like I am always on the verge of tears every year.

climbingsingle · September 2014

If you guys get a moment, please watch this. I went to high school with Welles, who has become known as The Man in The Red Bandana. There is a special tribute to him at the WTC memorial.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/colleges/post/_/id/5514/bc-honors-911-hero-welles-crowther

and this too

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/05/president-obama-recalls-heroism-of-man-in-the-red-bandana-at-911-memorial/

Inkdancer · September 2014

That morning, I woke up sobbing at 5. My mom was in Germany and I had the sense that something was wrong. I called her and asked her to end her trip and come home immediately. She said no. She ended up being stuck overseas for an extra ten days because no airline would fly her home.
As for memorials, I stay out of it. Nobody who was involved needs to be reminded of their loss on social media.

ElcaB · September 2014

I always take a moment the morning of to quietly reflect, praying for those who lost loved ones and all who were affected. I also reflect on my thankfulness for my country, because I'm so proud to be an American.

I think everyone should recognize the anniversary of 9/11 in whatever way they see fit, but something about the bajillion posts on my news feed rubs me the wrong way, just a tad. I think a big takeaway from this day in history is to never forget, but to also honor the dead and our country by continuing to live freely (if that makes sense --- I'm having trouble articulating my thoughts).

climbingsingle · September 2014

I was in college when 9/11 happened, about 30 minutes from NYC (where I still live). I remember the initial confusion around campus when just one plane had hit. Then the second plane.

I remember driving to have lunch with my mom, and seeing all the smoke coming across the river.

I was living with my ex-husband (then FI) at the time. Our neighbor, who was a NYFD, never came home to his pregnant wife.

This day is always extremely hard for me. The news coverage, the special TV shows, I just can't handle it. Every year I cry my eyes out. It's going to be a tough day.

FutureMrsN3312 · September 2014

I was a senior in HS (17) when 9-11 happened. It was such a scary time. We were old enough to understand what was going on. My brother was a Freshman and I remember not being able to find him for a while. When I finally did, I took him with me to the reservation in my home town that overlooks NYC. He was afraid that he would get in trouble for missing school.

As a cheerleader we wore red, white, and blue ribbons on our uniforms all year. We also had numerous fundraisers with proceeds going to numerous 9-11 charities. Our year book also had to be redone to include this major event.

I personally did not lose anyone in the attack. My cousin was running late for a meeting or he would have been in tower 1. I had many family members help with search and rescue/search and recovery. My uncle passed away in 2005 with what they think might have been cancer due to being exposed to toxins at the site.

As an adult I still visit the reservation every year. They actually put a memorial in that spot. I actually don't live near it anymore but I was thinking of trying to get up there tonight. I also drive past my church on the way home from work. Maybe I'll run in to light a candle. At my office complex we just lowered the flags.

When the 9-11 memorial opened H and I went. It was a nice experience. I know that sounds weird, but I thought they did a beautiful job. (I didn't see many tourists or selfie takers at that time. That would drive me nuts) I drove past the site a few times a week when I'd leave Brooklyn to get back to NJ.

I always find myself extra emotional today. It doesn't help that I have family in the Army/Navy that might be redeployed to Afghanistan in the near future.

One of my coworkers in a retired NYPD officer that was in the towers. He lost a lot of friends. As expected he's having a hard time today.

sarahufl · September 2014

lolo883 said:

JCbride2015 said:

lolo883 said:

afox007 said:

My Facebook already has a few things, including one from FSS who was about. 2 weeks old. Kind of a weirdo on 9/11; it was the first huge memorable anything that happened to me and I was watching spongebob with my 2 best friends before school when nickelodeon interrupted it with the news coverage. My friends mom was traveling to NY on business that morning, but we didn't know the flight (we were 11) we freaked out thinking the worst. Luckily she was on a totally different flight that never departed because of what happened. Every year since I find myself watching old reruns of spongebob. The first few years it was weird kid logic, watching it without a news interruption reassured that everything was ok. After a few years it just became tradition.

I didn't realize you were so much younger than me! I was a freshman in college.

Actually yeah, I guess it's the talk about FSS but I was picturing you more mid-twenties to early-thirties. I was about to turn 14 on 9/11. Freshman in high school.

Also Lolo I don't really think of you as older than me. But come to think of it, most posters on here are just generically "somewhere around my age" until I figure out otherwise.

It's interesting how the age on 9/11 really affected our experience of it. I was old enough to understand what was going on, but young enough that I still had a lot of irrational fears.

So you're telling me it's almost your birthday... noted.

Also... I don't even think of me as being as old as I am. :-/ The last few years kind of got away from me!

And to not totally derail a serious thread but actually answer the question you asked in the first place... my thread tends to blow up with remembrances too. But I think it's more a matter of "keeping up with the Joneses" where one person starts it, a few other people glom on, and then nobody wants to be the asshole not saying anything about it. So I just have my own remembrance of my grandpa and say my own prayer and try to stay out of the FB fray.

lolo883 slight derail- but your grandfather was quite handsome!

Simky906 · September 2014

I was in ninth grade and about to turn fourteen but I wasn't actually in school the day it happened. My family went to my brothers college convocation. I'm from SC so I didn't know anyone who was personally affected but I still remember how unreal that day felt. Before then I think I had this image of the US being unassailable so my entire world view shifted that day.

I see a lot of never forget type things on Facebook and the inevitable youtube link to Alan Jackson's 9/11 song. I don't usually see a lot of 9/11 images though, but maybe that's because many of my friends are recent (5-10 years) transplants to the DMV and obviously that day impacted people in this area much more personally.

ohmrs2014 · September 2014

As someone whose family was directly impacted by 9/11 in more ways than one, we take it each year hard. I am appalled by how commercialized it has become and how people are trying to make a buck off of someone's tragedy. It sickens me to no end.

I was a senior in high school that day, sitting in my homeroom waiting for the day to start. I didn't realize the full ramifications it would have on family until my dad picked my sister and I up from school (she was a freshman). It took us an hour to get home, living in downtown Jersey City, the hub of everything, it was rough. Luckily, since my dad is a diabetic, they let us through all of the blockades to get home. A drive that should have taken 5 minutes took an hour. His commute home from Bayonne to JC to come and get us took 2 hours. My mother, walked from midtown NY to the ferry to get home, a 5 hour walk, then took the ferry to Hoboken, and walked to the border of Hoboken and JC, an hour walk. Then when everyone was home, my sister and I learned the news that shook our family to the core.

arrippa · September 2014

I was 25 and working for a biotech company. I was still living in CA so I was asleep but my roommate woke me up. When I arrived at work, we were in a lock down mode and not much work was done that day. I now live in Boston, and a church around the corner from my work has a blue banner up every 9/11 listing all the people who died that day. It's a nice way of remembering those who died without it being disrespectful.

Peaseblossom55 · September 2014

I was working in NYC when it happened close by too. I saw the second plane hit the tower. I walked so much that day and it took me forever to get home. It was such an emotional day and I still feel real emotional and stressed on this day even 13 years later. My goal is too keep busy at work and hope the day goes by fast. I'd prefer to just be in bed reading or sleep...

Maggie0829 · September 2014

JCbride2015 said:

I also get irrationally bothered by the hordes of European tourists. To me, WTC is not a tourist destination. It's hard to pin down-- it's a place for reflection and paying respects, yes. Not gawking and taking selfies. And at this point, it's also a place for moving on. One World Trade is up and it's beautiful.

I haven't read the entire thread but I am just going to touch on this point. I understand your feelings but many times when tragedies occur the sites become monuments and "attractions" so to speak for people in the world to visit and and learn even more about what happened. Look at the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, or any civil war battle field. You can visit concentration camps in Germany and battle fields from WWI and WWII.

What happened on September 11th is now a part of history and what happened that day and the sites where the attacks took place should be open to the public. Yeah people may take selfies (this is just a part of life now and we need to accept it) but that doesn't mean that they aren't taking in the tragedy of what happened. I mean if we denied entry to these places then the events could easily be forgotten which would be a horrible thing to have happen.

luckya23 · September 2014

lc07 said:

I was 19 and in my second year of college and you guys were barely teenagers. Our age gap seems huge in that context. But it's not now. Life is interesting like that.

Me too!

ashley8918 · September 2014

I am in Chicago, and yes, my Facebook also gets flooded.

I remember the day vividly. I was 11 years old and sitting in my 6th grade history class. An announcement came over the loud speakers for all teachers to turn on their tvs to channel whatever, immediately. We all watched in silence for a few minutes until there was an announcement for everyone to get to the gym as fast as possible. From there we had to go into the basement, and sat there for an hour or 2 until our parents could come. I don't think we all realized it at the time, but there was speculation that because we were in the next major US city, we were next (not the school, per say, but the city). It was absolutely terrifying.

ashley8918 · September 2014

Oh, fuck no. Should not have gone on Facebook.

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