Where Were You Sept. 11, 2001?

Daniel Woolfolk (Editor) September 11, 2012 at 03:33 pm

I was a 19-year-old soldier in Baumholder Germany. Our scout unit had to pull security for weeks after that and we lived in a building's top story/renovated attic for a while.

Charles September 11, 2012 at 04:03 pm

It was about 6AM or so and I was driving north on Canoga Avenue in Woodland Hills on my way to work at Rocketdyne listening to KNX-1070 when all of a sudden the newscaster mentioned that reports had just come in about a plane striking the WTC.

Christy Howell September 11, 2012 at 04:28 pm

I was in Vancouver, Canada - my hometown. My radio alarm had just gone off and the announcer was crying on air. As panic-mode hit - I jumped out of bed and ran into the living room in front of the TV where I sat numbly for most of the morning until I had to go to work. 5yrs later, when I met the man who would later become my husband; he told me that he had been grounded in Vancouver that same day.

Dina September 11, 2012 at 05:58 pm

Was pregnant with my only child on 9-11. Remember sitting in my living room with tears rolling down my face and hoping the America I loved would be here for my child. We will never forget.

Nancy Wride September 11, 2012 at 06:21 pm

My family was in Yosemite, a place where you go to get away. And odd coincidence, our landlord called us before the 2nd plane landed, because she knew we were from Long Beach, and her daughter worked in OUR World Trade Center, which was evacuated. Our son was about 3. We feared for World War III. And we were in a remote area at a time when, as journalists, we were missing one of the stories of our lifetime. Words seem flat to describe the horror of that first week. We drove for nearly an hour in search of a newspaper, as most were sold out and our employer, the Los Angeles Times, did not circulate anywhere near us. I still have the week's newspapers that we saved for our son. I wish I could find the amazing story about all of the people who chose to jump, an incredible number of the deaths.

Andrea September 11, 2012 at 07:12 pm

I was asleep at my parents house, two weeks before my freshman year of college. I was woken up by my mom shouting something and through my blurry-eyed haze I saw her turn on the TV in my room. A few seconds later, the second plane hit and I remember thinking there was no way it could be real. I was 17 years old, and it felt like the world was changing forever. When college started two weeks later, I was grateful for the safe haven it provided. On campus, it was like a cocoon, and news from the outside rarely penetrated. It wasn't until years later that I began to really see the footage, and it is devastating. I can't get through this day anymore without crying, but I think that's a good thing. I will NEVER forget.

Wendy Bucknum September 11, 2012 at 07:18 pm

I was fixing a birthday breakfast for my son's third birthday and chatting with the kids... our family watched the news in horror as we realized what was happening. I immediately contacted my Dad who was in New York to find out his flight was canceled due to the events that were occuring - he was safe. Our world changed forever that day. Attend Mission Viejo's Patriot Day Ceremony to honor the heroes from September 11 today @ 6pm near the flag poles at City Hall.

Margot Ferron September 11, 2012 at 08:31 pm

It was just before 6 am and I was going to work in the Operating Room at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange. I was driving on the 21 Freeway almost to the Main St. exit when I heard, “We don’t normally report the news, but we have to this morning. A plane has hit the World Trade Center.” That was Danny Bonaduce on 98.7 LA, dismally reporting.
“We never turn the TV on this early, Margot why are you turning on TV,” other employees were surprised. “I have to get in scrubs, but I heard something so unreal I need to see if it is true.” There was a sense of panic and chaos in the air. This morning a friend of mine was somber. In sadness I learned she lost her twin sister in the towers. Later, another friend told me she lost her niece and nephew in the towers. I will always remember that day with an agonizing sense of hopelessness. To the heroes, to our loved ones, to Americans helping each other--God Bless you all.

Nancy Wride September 11, 2012 at 08:38 pm

Here is a place those wanting to celebrate first responders and other 9/11 victims can go later today. The Gaslamp, where a 40-mile motorcycle parade will end. Has anyone seen the parade yet in O.C.? http://patch.com/A-xDN0

Bill September 11, 2012 at 08:48 pm

That day I left the house @ 0505 on my way to a scientific research lab in Duarte, (near the City of Hope). KNX1070 was on & suddenly they announced that a plane had hit WTC. I thought that strange so I called my wife at home. She turned on the TV just in time to see the #2 plane hit while I was still on the line. I was concerned about the plane headed for SF so I tried to call my 2 daughters, @ LMU. By luck, a roommate (a swimmer headed for workout) was the only girl up. She woke up everyone in the room & dorm & they were kept on campus for the day. It was very sad since the THHS alum girl on the plane had competed against Missy. Unfortunately this struggle is far from over & will need to be handled properly in the future. My nephew is now home from Afghanistan & served this cause for all of us.

Donald Snyder September 12, 2012 at 12:16 pm

Don
I was with my wife and mother on a trip to Europe. We were in Ireland. We had just come out of Waterford Crystal and I remember the last piece I saw was a plane over the world. We took a handsome cab ride up to Ross Castle when the cab driver asked if we were American and then said he was sorry about what happened in New York. We got back to the hotel and caught the second plane diving into the building. We didn't know if it was a rerun of the event or not because of the time difference. At first we thought it was the movie Towering Inferno. The event changed the last week and a half of our trip both in where we could go and how we felt. It was strange not seeing any planes in the sky over Shannon Airport. Sad day, indeed.

Cathy Nykiel September 12, 2012 at 12:47 pm

Just days away from putting on my Chiefs anchors and doing Chiefly training. Was just arriving at Naval Base San Diego wetside with a bunch of slugs to do a visit at one of the LHDs and the gate was backed up. Was jamming to rock and roll and not listening to news and then they broke into the song and said that they were receiving news that the WTC was hit by a plane. Tried calling my husband about a ga-zillion times and he never picked up. Thought of my 3 high school boys and wondering if we were going to war, what would happen then. Thought of Camp Pen and how crazy it may get to be like back during Gulf War. Prayed for families and friends.

Susan Frye September 12, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Susan
When the radio came on to wake me that morning I heard something that made me turn to my husband and say "something's happening and we need to turn on the TV." We began to watch the events unfolding, but all along, I'm still thinking I need to get ready for work. I called my boss, who hadn't been able to reach our CE, so she told me to go ahead and drive in. I live 25 miles from the office. Apparently she called the house about 10 minutes later to stop me, but not having a cell phone I didn't get the message. During the drive, the news sounded worse and worse and when I did arrive at my building, the World Trade Center in Long Beach, it was totally shut down so I returned home. I found out later most of the employees had not even considered going in. During the following week it was odd to drive by John Wayne Airport and see all the planes parked there. I remember feeling as though I worked in a building with a target on it, but the feeling eventually faded. My personal memories are only of being inconvenienced but each year I watch the documentaries on the event, feeling it's important for us not to become complacent. It is important we never forget.

IAM September 12, 2012 at 01:35 pm

In the air! Took off from Colombus, Ohio heading back to LA. We were instructed to land in St. Louis. Reached home just as the first tower collapsed. Trying time for our family as a close family member worked im the Trade Center and kmow ome knew for certain whether my flight was involved. God bless the fallen, pray for their families. We must always
always remember, it can happen again.

Susie Hutto September 12, 2012 at 01:53 pm

I was getting ready for work that fateful day and turned on the tv to listen to news. Something caught my eye and I saw the first plane hit the tower and then the second plane hit. I thought it was a commercial for a movie cause surely no one would attack the US. When I came to realize it wasn't a movie I was in shock. I remmy it like it was yesterday. I know I will never forget.

Brad Rudy September 12, 2012 at 01:54 pm

I woke up and was listening to "Mark & Brian" when they suddenly interrupted the broadcast with Peter Jennings announcing the first plane had hit the WTC. I turned on the TV, while brushing my teeth in time to see the 2nd plane hit. Fear & panic turned to concern over whether or not to go to work. I'm a History teacher at Wilson, and history was being made at that moment. I got coffee on the way to school, and the barrista was in tears telling me the first tower had collapsed. By the time I was in my classroom, Tower 2 had also fallen.
Those students who decided to come to school that day sat and we watched as history unfolded before our eyes. One of our principals at the time entered my room and asked me to turn the TV off because it was "upsetting to the students". I told her, "With all due respect Ma'am, this is a WORLD HISTORY CLASS, and History is being made right now. The whole world is upset, and these kids need to see this, and I'm going to try to help them and myself make sense of it." I told her she could write me up, but I wasn't going to turn off the TV. I'll never forget one quiet girl in the back of the room raising her hand and asking "Is this going to be World War 3?" The hardest thing I've ever said to a student was "At this point I don't know...Maybe? I certainly hope not." In this election year, it's important for both sides to remember the lesson of that day, by coming together, rather than being so divisive.

Johnny Utah September 12, 2012 at 01:55 pm

I miss Mark and Brian....
they should do the station a favor and broadcast re-runs

Johnny Utah September 12, 2012 at 01:59 pm

I was on my way to class in LA and turned on Fox news to see that a plane crashed into tower 1. When I got to class people were chatting and mentioned it hit tower 2. Our professor dismissed us and I drove back home to see the horrible news in sadness and disgust.

Charles September 12, 2012 at 02:40 pm

How did you reach home in Los Angeles if you had to land in St. Louis?

John Perchulyn September 12, 2012 at 09:01 pm

I was with my father on 9-10 which had a stroke. I was planning to take the AA flight 77 out of Washington the next morning. My dad passed away that night which kept me from getting on flight 77 that went into the pentagon the next morning.