Remembering 9/11 through the words of friends and family.

These were all actual posts that appeared by friends and family on Facebook this morning. This is their stories and comments about how they feel and what they remember about 9/11. EVERYONE has a story and we must listen to these stories so that we can both heal and help our friends and family heal as well. 

"One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all"

Nichole

tonight brings such emotion....tomorrow is such a sad anniversary...9/11/01 Never forgotten! Thank you to all of the service men and women who have fought and those that continue to fight for our freedom. And thank you to all of the police officers, ems personnel, and fire fighters who put their lives at risk every time they go to work...And last but not least, my thoughts and prayers are with those who were most intimately affected by 9/11/01

Nikki

Time Lapse Video Featuring Eight Years of 9/11 Memorial Construction  As available by http://www.911memorial.org/

Denny

just watched flight 93. watching that movie brought back a lot of emotions of 9/11 and just reminded me don't take anything for granted. I'm proud to be an American and I stand behind and support our military, police force, emts, and firefighters.

Kim

I keep hearing the statement "never forget". I don't know how someone who saw all that senseless tragedy could ever forget. Every year on this day I remember how sad and scared we all were. The babies born after 911 are now about to turn ten and will never know there dads. That breaks my heart and for them I could never forget.

Tonia

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew."
- President George W. Bush

Kathy 

I was working in Washington, D.C. a few blocks from the White House. I remember my boss's family calling him and they were frantic and I could hear them crying. At first I thought he was having some kind of family emergency. Then I went outside to smoke and people were running down the street crying. The road was already blocked with cars everywhere. There were sirens all over and then I saw the military truck fly down the street. By the time I was finished smoking, the anti-aircraft launcher was sitting on the corner of 15 & K streets. We were hearing all kinds of rumors and a police officer came up to us and told us we had to evacuate. I was never so scared in my whole life. I kept thinking, this is Washington, DC, the United States of America, it was not the West Bank but it was beginning to resemble that. It took me forever to get home, I hitched a ride in a van with people I didn't know to get to Odenton where my car was parked. I was so grateful to get home that day to see my husband and children. I couldn't watch the news, it was too depressing. It is a day that is burned into my memory -- for as long as I live I will never forget.

Tricia

I remember wondering why so many kids were being called for early dismissal. I remember finding out why when I took my first graders to lunch. I remember being panicked. I remember being terrified for Nick & my mom who were at St. Mary's & so near the Naval Academy (not knowing what was actually going on & what may happen). I remember picking up 4 month old Maggie from daycare & wondering what kind of messed up world did I bring my baby into. What do you remember?

Maureen

Literally the worst day of my life. I remember standing in my bathroom getting dressed and watching the TV out the bathroom door horrified. I remember wondering if I was supposed to keep my appointment with Grace's geneticist at the U of MD hospital knowing that the doctor finally had a diagnosis. I remember being terrified on my way into Baltimore and I remember feeling numb and nauseated and deep, in my soul pain all at the same time when the doctor put his hand on my knee, looked me in the eye and said "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry" after describing what lay ahead for my daughter. I remember being told the hospital going into "lock down" and thinking I couldn't leave and wanted to bust a door down and run out and go home as fast as possible. I specifically remember as if it was yesterday feelings of chaos, vulnerability, confusion, and not knowing what to concentrate on first...the condition of my country, or the condition of my child. The last 10 years have been quite a journey, but so far, it has been a victory and a journey of survival...for my country and my daughter. I'm proud to be an American and proud to be a mommy.

Michelle

IN GOD WE TRUST!! UNITED WE STAND! We Remember and thank you to all the men and women in law enforcement & firefighters that risked their lives that day and everyday. We lift up each family affected by 9/11 that PEACE replaces fear....

Scott

Despite the horrible events that occurred on this day, I choose to remember the solidarity and how this nation came together to support and celebrate our unique way life... A flag on every house, a patriotic pin on every jacket, bumper stickers in Red White and Blue.... For the first time in our lives were all AMERICANS.... I mourn the loss of that national pride....

Gemma

Today is a day to remember those almost 3000 people who perished in the World Trade Centre attacks, at the Pentagon and the crash in Shanksville, PA 10 years ago. We will never forget xx

Ray

as I was 0n 9/11 ten years ago, I am away from my homeland. My thoughts are with everyone around the world who has had their lives forever changed because of that one terrible, terrible day.

Jennifer

‎9/11: Times of impact: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. 2819 dead from 115 different nations. 343 Fireman/paramedics, 23 NYPD, 37 Port Authority officers. **************** REPOST AND SHOW YOU WILL NEVER FORGET 09-11-01

 Laurie

A day of rememberance. Remember those whose lives were taken, their loved ones left behind, the heros that saved lived and ones that died trying, the ones who survived, and the service men and women who gave diligent efforts in helping the trapped and scared. Hug a loved one today.

 Jill

Borrowed from a friend:
Lord I pray for peace in this time of heavy hearted memory. I pray for the families of our troops, police, fire fighters and the countless innocent people who lost their lives during 9/11 and in the years since that terrible day. Lord I pray for healing to those who still hurt and need your mercy. God Bless the USA!

Leslie

Good morning. I hope everyone will bow their head this morning, and have a moment of prayer, for the people lost during 9-11

 Andrea

Proud to be an American as I watch America remember September 11th....

Susan

For the husband who told his wife I love you one last time before his plane went down in a field, for the wife who stopped in the stairs to call her husband to say I will love you forever, for the mothers & fathers who kissed their kids goodbye the morning they died, for the policemen who rushed in with the firemen to help get others out only to die themselves, for the soldiers who fought back and lost their lives. Today, tomorrow, ten years from now, we will remember ♥ God Bless ♥

Susan

✰✰✰✰✰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ If You're Proud To Be An American Wave ✰✰✰✰✰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ This Flag In Honor Of The Fallen Men ✰✰✰✰✰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ And Women Who Served Our Country ✰✰✰✰✰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ For those who have served in the past ☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ For those who are serving & fighting now
☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰
☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ FOR OUR LOVED ONES WHO TRAGICALLY HAD THEIR LIVES RIPPED FROM OURS ON 9/11...YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR MINDS AND WILL NEVER....NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!! REST IN
PEACE! ♥ ♥ ♥



 

More to come... Posts will be added throughout the day.

A Nation Mourns: Tribute to the hero's and victims of 9/11 - We will never forget.

This is an excerpt that comes from my book entitled:
copyright 2011

"Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves"

Written by: Stacey L. Bolin

Chapter Thirty-Five

"A Nation Mourns"

During this horrendous moment, I felt the same irritability and the sense of loss that had come over me daily during the past few weeks.  This was a place that had a special meaning in my heart from a past point in my life.  Now it was at the mercy of nature’s feared fury, fire.

In 1984, my mother and I embarked on a Christmas show and shop bus tour of New York City.  One of the highlights of our trip, going to the Windows of the World indoor observation area to view the City from high a top of the World Trade Center.  I got many pictures so that I could relive the amazement of standing at the top of one of the largest buildings in the world.  It was then my mother and I bonded into friendship, from what was a mother daughter relationship. It was a time that has always kept a special place in my heart.  I had hoped to have enjoyed a moment like this with my own children one day.

I watched, in disbelief, the black smoke billow from the outside of the buildings.

“Put the fire out!  Put the fire out!”  I yelled at the television over and over.

Then a view from the Pentagon appeared.  Slowly it was being reported that these crashes were intentional and were acts of terrorists.  I changed the channel.  Something kept my focus on waiting to see more of what was happening in New York.  Before my eyes, I saw the explosion of the second tower and the endless replay of a second plane crashing into it.

“Both towers of the World Trade Center have been hit by aircraft, both are in flames.  There is black smoke coming from both of the towers.” paused a female reporter, trying to find the words, “Ah…ah…it’s a horrific scene here, debris is flying through the air.  Clearly this is not an accident.  Officially this is an act of a terrorist.  We now have reports of a fire at the pentagon, clearly not an accident.  The F.B.I. is now investigating a report of a plane high-jacking before the crashes at the World Trade Center this morning.  We will keep you posted as more information is provided.”

Not only the events of what was taking place were being televised, nothing had a chance to be edited.  It was all being broadcasted live.  Before the Nations eyes, people were seen jumping to their death.  As I stood there, tears, streamed from my eyes.  Then suddenly, I was breathless.  Again I could see the floor joints, people standing in the stairwell.  Screams of terror engulfed my thoughts as razor sharp chills raced throughout my body.  I knew it then, these towers – they’re going to fall. 

What madness!  A form of torture for those inside!  A LIVING HELL!  WHY!  How long will these buildings remain standing?  God!  Please make these thoughts go away.  PLEASE!  HELP THESE PEOPLE TO SAFETY!  How long would God make them wait, before he would come to take so many innocent lives home with him?  Would the people get out?  People in the elevators, GET THEM OUT!

I was lost in the surrealism of what had been about an hour since I had first turned on the television.

“It wasn’t happening, it was a sick joke!”  I thought as I remembered the special report on the death of Princess Diana.  We were watching Saturday Night Life when a special report aired.  It was just ironic timing that it fell during one of their mock news skits.  Don and I could not believe that SNL would air such a sick joke.  Much to our surprise, the joke was on us as the footage went on for more than then minutes and other stations were also airing the auto accident she was involved in.  Sadly, we realized that what we were seeing had actually happened.

The screams of the news anchors snapped me back to focus on the events taking place.  The south tower was buckling at the point of impact.  At a great rate of speed it crumbled to the ground, taking the lives that may still be inside.

“OH MY GOD! NO, NO!”  I screamed at the top of my lungs.

“A situation that started bad just gets worse and worse.”  Were the words spoken by another reporter just after the south tower had fallen.  “The World Trade Center south tower, which was hit by a plane, followed by an explosion approximately an hour ago, has collapsed.  If you are just joining us this morning, you are in for a horrific surprise…”

On my radio, a similar report, “Just minutes ago the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed to the ground.  One tower is standing at this point.  Although there’s no report on casualties, the loss of life is presumably profound.”

It was not long after, the second tower soon followed suit and it too, took with it mothers, fathers, policemen, firemen, brothers and sisters and so many more.  The news reported that the plane crash in Pennsylvania was also part of a terrorist act to crash into what they believed to be the White House or the Capital building.  All air traffic was being grounded until further notice.  When they began to mention the safety of children located in the near-by childcare center close to the World Trade Center, I yelled out. “MY BOYS!  I NEED TO GET MY BOYS!”

I rushed to the phone to call Don at work to inform him of the events that were taking place.

“That explains the big boom that I heard earlier.” He said, still trying to make sense of what was taking place.

“I thought it odd that everyone I passed on the highway, as I made my delivery, was on a cell phone.”

“Don, I have to get the kids, come home…PLEASE come home!  I love you.”

“I love you to, I’ll get home as fast as I can, don’t worry.  You just worry about keeping yourself and the kids safe.”

Since my cancer diagnosis, I had mastered a new skill.  When faced with a major crisis, I can be as strong as steel, as well as, calm, cool, collected and stress free.  The little things, it’s best to drug me up, put me in a straight jacket in a rubber room and throw away the key.

Without a second thought I had turned everything off in the house, and was out the door.  I immediately rushed down the porch steps, got in my car and made my way to the school.  If something catastrophic was going to happen, I was going to have my babies with me, no matter what!

The school lobby and office was filled with terrified people experiencing mass confusion.  Parents and guardians had the same maternal instinct, wanting to get the children home.  I have to give credit to the faculty and staff of Germantown Elementary School.  They to, handled the situation with ease.  Calmly and effectively, you would have thought they had been training for this day, for years.

Still being some-what connected with the military, we had always been told that in the event of an emergency on a grand scale, we were to report to the base.

My thoughts on that idea, “A military installation was the last place to be.”

My children could sense that there was something terrible wrong as we made our way out of the school. 

“Mommy, why are there so many people at my school today?” Dillan said.  You could see that he was feeling a bit nervous.

“Mommy just wants you both to come home early today.”

“I heard something was on fire.” said Dallas trying to repeat a conversation he had overheard between some parents in the hall near his locker.

On the way home, I tried to explain without scaring either of them, “Something had happened that hurt a lot of people.”  They were accepting of this explanation for the time being.

We got back to the house and I had the kids put a movie into the VCR so that they didn’t have to see first-hand what was happening.  It seems that every television channel was reporting on the events that were taking place.  Don called to establish a plan, that in the event of an evacuation I would meet him at a specific location.  His preference was to head west.  Our rendezvous point would be just a location we know well in West Virginia.

As I hung up the phone, I flashed back to a night that I was awoken from or horrific dream.   In my dream I am walking through the hallway of our home here in Maryland.  I find my way to my bedroom to where my husband is sleeping very peacefully.  I slowly sit down on the edge of my side of the bed.  I look up to see a bright white flash.  “I love you” I say out loud to my kids and husband as things are being blown away.  I felt no pain and the only one sound, my voice saying good-bye.  To this day, I refuse to change my furniture around in my room, in the same way that it was in my dream.  I guess this is my way of thinking that I can harness any future events of mass destruction.

I quickly shrugged the images of the dream.

“No!  This can’t happen!” I said quietly to myself.

My thoughts were filled with so many fears and questions, but nothing spoke out-loud to scare my boys.

I am so angry, just kick ass and take names later.  They had no right to do this to America!  What have we done to deserve this!  Life will no longer be as it once was.  Don please, come home to us.  My Children, what does the future hold for them?  I should call my mother.  Should I pack a bag if we have to evacuate?  Where is a safe place?  Is my grandmother ok?  Is my mother ok?

I was entirely numb with no sense of what my next move should be.  It was the voice of my younger son, Dillan, asking for a cookie, which helped me refocus.  Throughout the day, I listened to reports that came over a low volume radio in the kitchen.  All the information, still the same, it was indeed terrorism and the death totals would be in the thousands.  Don finally walked through the back door at about 4:30pm.  It was only then I let part of my guard down.  The boys did not hear him come through the door.  That was probably a good thing as I desperately needed to just hold him.  His reason for being later than he’d hoped was that the traffic was backed up.  Everyone, I’m sure, was trying to get home to their loved ones.  I went towards him and fell into his arms as the strength within me fell apart.  I finally felt safe as he held me close.  Hearing him say that everything is going to be fine, comforting.  Yet all the strength that I had built up during my cancer treatments and life experiences in the military could have never prepared me for this day.  I feared that it was inevitable that our country would go to war.  Life, as we knew it, was going to change forever.

“But did this mean that Don could be reactivated?” I shuttered to think of the possibility.

While changing their movie, the kids had seen on the television the collapse of the World Trade Center, but were unaware that this was live.  To them it was just another movie with special effects.  When they were finally aware that Don was home from work, they quickly told us of what they had seen.

“Daddy, you know what, we saw a big building fall down in the smoke.” said four year old Dillan.

“It was just a movie.” replied our older son Dallas, nonchalantly.

Don sat down and tried to explain that what they had seen on the television was not a movie.  Some bad people were the ones who had done this to these buildings.  We made it very clear, to both of them, that they never speak to strangers and if something goes on at school they are to listen to the teacher’s instructions.  That we would get to them as soon as we could if something were to go wrong.  They were happy with this explanation and as if nothing ever happened, asked their dad to come and wrestle with them.  They showed no signs of worry, but then again, being as young as they were, I think that is what protected their minds from harm. 

Life for my friend Edward and his family drastically changed on September 11, 2001 and the days to follow.  What were once Police badges that were being sewn onto uniforms of blue were now military badges being sewn on khaki colored shirts, pants and jackets. What he thought were just a few more years in the reserves, were immediately changed to full active duty.  He was called on 9/11 at 11:30pm and told to report to his unit at 5:00am the next morning.  He worked at Andrews Air Force Base as a Security Controller (Dispatcher) on the midnight shift until October 22, 2001.  He was then sent over to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., his new assignment, Assistant Flight Chief.

During these new and additional duties, this disrupted his family life and duties with local law enforcement, was a constant worry on the minds of all.  Would his unit be sent overseas to enforce our homeland security?  On August 19, 2002, fears became reality as he and his unit embarked on their Journey to Saudi Arabia.  I feared that if he going to be sent, then the Seabees could recall Don and Frank to do another tour in Saudi Arabia, even if they had already gone.  That was something I had feared for a very long time, and was relieved as the years passed one by one and the call never came.

While Edward was overseas, Patricia and I got to know each other very well and became great friends.  My prayers were always said for Edward and Patricia, as they walked the journey of his military duty to fight and defend our great nation and to rid the world of terrorism.   My prayer also went out nightly to our military men and woman of our armed forces.

May God bless you and keep you safe from harm.  We will prevail.

***

I am happy to report that Edward came home and he eventually got to enjoy his retirement day from the armed forces. Today he is still employed with the Annapolis Police Department, and lives with his beautiful wife, Patricia, here in Annapolis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=J3eQmzw6n3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdzuY8R3_r4