Honoring and Remembering 9/11 Victims

[NotNow]

My unit's deployment took us to several places after 9/11, including the middle east.  The 2005 trip to NYC was job related and I had the opportunity to spend a week with my counterparts in the NYPD, who have my undying respect for all that they accomplished during this tragedy.  They have all been deeply affected.    

The claims and lawsuits referred to in the article are by and large workers comp claims.  Cities often deny initial claims including those from first responders (fire, ems & police), forcing those employees to rely on vacation time, their medical insurance, and personal savings during what can be a lengthy appeals process.  This occurs in Jax as well and it is a shameful practice.  While I am sure there are some savings from the practice, it is unethical IMHO. The City of New York is responsible for the workers comp claims and if it is beyond the ability of the city to pay (which it certainly is) then the State of New York is responsible.  The USG has established a "precedent" by creating a "victim's fund".  It will be called for again and again.  I am not sure that this is the most prudent way to handle these types of incidents.  But all of this would make good subject matter for another thread.  My thoughts today are with NYC and all of the victims of 9/11.

And thanks JB and the club, for staging the memorial ride.

[lindab]

Flags fly at half staff tomorrow - Patriots Day.

We were in London 9/11 and heard the news broadcast over the radio while shopping in a market. Impossible to take it in. Phone lines were jammed. All flights canceled. Frantic for relatives working in NY. Thank God for internet cafes.

In the following days, many Englishmen and women hearing our American accents approached us to express their sorrow and sympathy for the losses of America. Standing with hundreds of people at the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace where our American National Anthem was played and listened to the choked voices of the watching crowd singing softly softly as tears poured down our faces. Not able to get into St. Paul's Cathedral for the remembrance service, talking with other Americans standing in the streets.

Finally leaving England, returning to NY, flying over the smoking ruins, complete silence on the plane.

[aj_fresh]

I worked in a high rise parallel to the towers in Jersey City. I saw the 2nd plane hit with the naked eye. It was the lowest thud you ever heard but the biggest fireball you ever saw. I also saw the towers crumble with the naked eyes. Sounds of fighter jets in the air; people panicking not knowing if they were friendly and foes; not being able to get a hold of anyone to let them know if you were okay. Sadly, I lost a childhood friend in the attack. Ironic for me, I passed through the towers around 12:30am on Sept 11, 2001, on my way home. Who to think that would be the last time you walked through those buildings??

[CrysG]

I was at my parents house. I was 18 and had just graduated high school and was packing to fly the next day to visit family in DC. I was listening to the radio and my parents were at Home Depot. When the news came over the radio I ran into the living room to turn on CNN. I sat down on the ottoman in the living room and watched with tears streaming down my face.

My parents came home and went about their day like nothing was happening. I remember being so angry at them for not stopping and watching it with me. I was scared about flying in the morning. I was scared for family in DC.

I canceled the next morning flight but flew out later in the week. I've never been so afraid to fly in my life. 

[Sigma]

Wow, the reflections from all of you - compelling. I hope this thread continues.

[subro]

I had just moved to Jax from NY in August 2001. I have three friends that worked in Towers 1 and 2 and luckily all three were okay. Two made it out and one called in sick. He believes that it was his recently deceased Mother looking out for him as he worked for Morgan Stanly on the 72nd floor. It was impossible to get calls through to NY until that night when I was able to start getting updates on everyone. It still seems so surreal today.   

[rvrsdediva]

I had just woken up and was getting ready for work.  Normally I am not a tv watcher in the morning but something compelled me to turn the tv on.  The first plane had just hit the towers and the news was still reporting it as an accident until the 2nd plane hit, after that they knew we were under attack.  I got to work at 11:45 and we were almost immediately sent home so I spent the rest of the day in shock and disbelief at what was unfolding.  I can't believe its been 8 years.  I have not visited ground zero since then but I think I will this year when I head up north to visit family.  God bless the victims and their families and let us salute our fallen heroes.

[civil42806]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcC6bTHosx0

[kramer2k]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcC6bTHosx0

Damn...


I was a sophomore in college.  I was doing my usual morning routine: sitting on the sofa eating my breakfast and watching some news before heading to class.  When the headlines hit the TV, my roomate and wife (girlfriend at the time) sat and watched coverage ALL DAY in awe.  The morning turned into night before we knew it.  What an unforgettable day....

[DavidWilliams]

I remember vividly the sight of soldiers with machine guns on the roof of the Federal Reserve building downtown. Very surreal.

[thelakelander]

I was working at SCMH Architects just outside of downtown Lakeland.  We turned the tv on after hearing a radio report of the first plane crashing into the towers.  I immediately called my wife, who was still at FAMU at the time, and told her to get out of bed and turn the tv on.  The entire firm ended up watching, shocked in silence as the second plane came, both buildings collapsed and the two crashes at the Pentagon and in PA were reported.  After that, our supervisor told us to go back to work.  I had recently taken a trip to NYC and visited the top of the World Trade Center, so I could still vividly make out the faces of the employees in the restaurant, elevators and gift shop in my head.  It was definitely an unforgettable day.

[buckethead]

I've written my story many times, and it pales in comparison to those who were more closely connected.

It was a very emotional day for all of us.

As events unfolded, my anger and sadness grew. Giving blood was my only action taken the on that day. I wanted to drive up and contribute to the rescue effort, but by the next day it was clear that I would get nowhere near the site, and volunteerism was already surpassing the need for it.

I love my country and my fellow Americans, as corny as it might sound.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

I was working in the admin office of River Garden at the time; someone came in saying she heard 'something on the radio about an explosion at the WTC'. So I jumped online and looked on msn for the story - then told the activities director if she would turn the TVs on to see the live broadcast. While there was still speculation on whether or not to turn them on, I was watching on the web and saw the 2nd tower get hit. And I got so sick to my stomach.

When they finally moved the large TV to the dining room, everybody came out to watch it for as long as they could. And then the towers collapsed right in front of us, and every one of us just lost it.
I heard about the crash at the Pentagon and knowing my dad was supposed to be there that day I tried frantically to call him up - all phone lines were down, so I panicked. They ended up sending me home early, and I didn't hear from my dad until 11pm that night. Turns out he called in sick that morning and stayed in Reisterstown.

One of the only GOOD things to come from this (to me, at least) is that I found my husband. He was my HS sweetie, and we lost touch for over 12 years. His name is similar to one of the notable victims of the PA plane crash, and it bothered me enough to try to find him and see if he was still alive. And here we are today, 8 years later with a wonderful little boy.

[buckethead]

That^ is a beautiful 911 story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

The other part I can share with you all about that day - River Garden, for those who don't know, is a very good nursing home here in Jax.
While we were watching events unfold on the TV, there were some residents watching with us. Many of them recalled the Pearl Harbor bombings and were equally sad, like they just couldn't believe this could happen to us again. It truly upset them, for reasons similar to our own but with that added repeating of history.