Where were you on 9/11? How do you feel about today?

2015-09-10T23:29:06-04:00

On September 11, 2001, I was Chief of Security Operations Branch (SOB), Office of the Provost Marshal, United States Army Europe; I was in charge of security (lucky me) for all of the USAREUR. I was at work, in my plans vault, watching CNN as usual, when the first plane struck. I thought WTF? When the second plane struck, I walked downstairs to my boss's office, and told him to turn on the TV. I told him this was no accident.

Today, I still well up when I think about 911, and still wonder why? Why?

Tomorrow, me and my HS students/Cadets will participate in the 911 stair climb in honor of the 343 firefighters who died, as 412 emergency responders rushed in, as everyone else rushed out. There were 2071 steps to top of the World Trade Center. I will do at least that many tomorrow.

What will you be doing slackers?

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 11:29 PM

2015-09-10T23:29:56-04:00

Health class. 7th grade lol.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Sep 10 at 2015 11:54 PM

2015-09-10T23:54:17-04:00

I was in Mannheim, GE...so it was at the end of the duty day.
It really didn't hit me....my boss's daughter came in, looking for her dad, she watched the news, and had tears in her eyes. It just didn't shock me. I never understood why.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it now.

Response by MSgt Niclas Svensson made Sep 10 at 2015 11:59 PM

2015-09-10T23:59:36-04:00

I was stationed at Kunsan AB, ROK at the time, but was up at Osan AB for ALS. We had been in class for 2 days at that point and I was in my room that night doing homework with the TV on in the background. Suddenly, the background noise stopped and the light from the TV changed causing me to look up from my notebook.

As I looked up I saw the first tower with smoke pouring from it with the headline "Plane crashes into World Trade Center" at the bottom of the screen. My first thought was "It's a perfectly clear day, how the hell did a plane hit a building that big?"

As I sat there digesting that question, I saw the second plane hit...

I spent the rest of the night watching the news and remember watching in disbelief as those proud buildings fell.

I remember a feeling of helplessness rushing over me because I was so far from home and I couldn't do anything... I couldnt even get information from friends and family that lived/worked in NYC.

I ran through about every possible emotion over the hours and days to come. Happiness that all my loved ones were safe, sadness that so many had lost their lives, anger at those that had done these horrible things, and finally pride in how people rose to the occasion and came together.

In my opinion, what makes this day so hard for me, now 14 years later, is how far in the opposite direction our country has gone...
Gone is the unity and pride.
Gone is the love we had for our fellow countrymen.
Gone is the respect for first responders & military.

It has all been replaced by hatred and distrust.

I hope I get to see our country return to that former glory again & I pray it doesn't take another tragedy of this magnitude to do it.

God bless the United States of America.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Sep 11 at 2015 12:12 AM

2015-09-11T00:12:46-04:00

I was doing civilian Security Manager duties in Germany. The MP Desk Sergeant told me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I was thinking about a Cessna or some other light plane......Just after I entered the MP station, we saw the second plane hit the 2nd Tower. The entire next week was a rush of images, and security measures, as we feared other attacks in Europe, that left us all drained and exhausted. But, at least we finally got to go home. In NY many people's families never came home. There's not really any big celebrations planned 'way up here', but I'm planning to go up to Ft. Wainwright, and visit with friends.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Sep 11 at 2015 12:36 AM

2015-09-11T00:36:14-04:00

Entrepreneurship class my last semester in high school. I remember it very vividly as if it were yesterday.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 11 at 2015 1:16 AM

2015-09-11T01:16:13-04:00

Just finished the Night Shift as Senior Network Operations Specialist at Sprint Transport Control Center, Overland Park, KS. Spent the next few weeks trying to restore Fiber Optic Communications to that part of the Country. Seems that the Main Switches were all located in that complex.

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Sep 11 at 2015 1:19 AM

2015-09-11T01:19:10-04:00

Never forget; because unlike the refugees. We have nowhere to run to; we will stand our ground, to defend our country and our way of life. Against all Enemies Foreign and Domestic.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:30 AM

2015-09-11T01:30:38-04:00

I remember this day clearly even after 14 years. I was stationed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. One of my patients, who was recovering from surgery, had just had their diet changed from NPO to soft but the kitchen never got the order. So, I went down to the kitchen to get him a tray for dinner. When I got back and delivered the tray, I saw some of my nurses in a room standing around another patients bed watching the tv. I walked up and asked what was going on, and was told that a plane (turned out it was the 1st plane) had just crashed into the towers. We stood there watching in shock and bewilderment. When the second plane hit. In my head, I knew war had just begun.

Response by SFC Joseph James made Sep 11 at 2015 2:22 AM

2015-09-11T02:22:58-04:00

Finished PT at Fort Campbell KY! I was pretty pissed and nervous at the same time. It was a lot going on with out a lot of answers for young Private James. There were many faces I saw that day, some scared because they only joined for the free college and others I saw Anger and focused determination. The later gained my trust as we flew to Afghanistan a few months later. Don't mess with the USA! Rakkasan! Screaming Eagles! Air Assault!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 11 at 2015 6:55 AM

2015-09-11T06:55:49-04:00

I was an the lead Intelligence Systems Instructor at the Battle Staff Training Facility, for the MAGTF Staff Training Program on MCB Quantico. I was walking between my two buildings when one of my contractors told me a plane had hit the World Trade Center.

At this point we thought it was an accident.

I ran back to my main building (Secure) and flipped the news on the big screens. It was right around that point that the second plane hit. Most of my guys weren't in the office that day, but the boss was (LtCol), and when I knocked on his door all I could say was "You're going to want to get everyone back here, sir."

Over the next couple hours, things just kept getting worse. My wife was stationed on Quantico as well, and she was getting frantic phone calls from EVERYONE making sure we were ok.

I started boxing up equipment. We had just gotten back from MARFORRES, on a training run and they didn't have of their Intel Systems yet, so we were going to lend them one of ours to get them running. I ended up flying out there as soon as planes were running again. It was VERY strange being the only person on the plane at that point.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 11 at 2015 7:31 AM

2015-09-11T07:31:54-04:00

When the first plane hit I was actually measuring a garage for vinyl siding. (I had been retired 8 years and was the GM of a home improvement company) I got back into my car and heard the news on the Bob & Tom Radio Show....I headed toward my next appointment when they got serious and reported the second strike. I headed back to the shop....And 2 hours later sent everyone home.... I feel the world change on that morning, and I believe we have to change a little bit with it if we as a free society are to survive.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 11 at 2015 7:55 AM

2015-09-11T07:55:01-04:00

I was nearing the end of the work day cleaning up and getting ready to go home.

There were a couple of reservists assigned to my command who were doing their 2 week active duty stints that came running in the shop saying that the first tower had just been hit. We turned on CNN Desktop to watch the coverage and the tower had just collapsed. It seemed like seconds later the second tower was hit. It was then I knew it was no accident and I had a strong suspicion that it was orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 7:57 AM

2015-09-11T07:57:29-04:00

At work as the safety director at a live-in facility for persons with MR/DD.

The boss called and said turn on the TV, an unusual request. I shall never forget.

AF 1 flew over on the way to Offutt AFB and it was so low I could almost shake the president's hand.

NEVER forget. My H.S. home was also less than 10 miles from where Flight 93 went down.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 7:59 AM

2015-09-11T07:59:15-04:00

I was working in Boston for the New England Organ Bank. SWAT showed up to the Sheraton next door. We had transplants underway and donors in process. Even when the blood products were put on hold, we made some amazing things happen that day. It was amazing to see what teamwork and talent can do.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 11 at 2015 8:15 AM

2015-09-11T08:15:45-04:00

I was assigned to the HHB 6/52 ADA (Patriot) as a member of the Communications Relay Team. A few weeks later, we were on a deployment to Kuwait as part of what was Operation Southern Watch.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Sep 11 at 2015 8:16 AM

2015-09-11T08:16:36-04:00

I was at Fort Campbell Ky.
I remember when it happened because I was at the front gate getting some paperwork straight and the MP came in and told everyone what happened and that the gate was closed and return to your units or your house.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Sep 11 at 2015 8:22 AM

2015-09-11T08:22:11-04:00

I was braving the traffic on I35 with way to little coffee in my system. I took a bit for the reality of what had happened to set in. By the time I made it to work forks were gathering around the small television my boss had in his office. This was the beginning of the path leading me back to the Army.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 11 at 2015 8:53 AM

2015-09-11T08:53:36-04:00

Second grade music class was where we found out. If I remember right we watched the second one hit the second building, can't remember if it was live or not though as ND is an hour behind NYC and I think the times I read on the reports would have put the planes hitting at around the time we were getting to school so it may have been the news replaying the footage. Either way we had the news on all day that day.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 11 at 2015 8:53 AM

2015-09-11T08:53:54-04:00

COL Charles Williams - I was in the Command Center of one of the nuclear weapons complex facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, participating in an exercise, when we got word of the plane hitting the first tower. The exercise quickly transformed into an actual event as we immediately increased the THREATCON, implemented enhanced security measures at all the Oak Ridge sites, pulled out the big guns (typically, at that time, kept within reach but out of sight), and alerted all off-duty personnel to assume a stand-by role.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 9:13 AM

2015-09-11T09:13:10-04:00

On 09/11/2001, I was stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. I lived off base in the small "town" of Oak Grove, KY. I had gone home after doing PT at my unit, and was just finishing up in the shower when the first plane struck. As I got out, my wife came into the bedroom, and told me that a friend of ours down the street had called and said that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. I instantly knew that our nation had just been attacked, and I remember telling my wife "That was no accident - we've been attacked by terrorists." I knew this because I had worked in aviation for the previous 16 years, and knew that no commercial airline pilot would ever allow his plane to be flown into a building I threw on my uniform, while my wife watched the news. As I was leaving the house, the second plane struck and my wife cried out "Oh my GOD! - a second plane just hit the other tower!" I jumped in my truck, and raced in. On the way in, I was listening to the news, and heard that another plane might have struck the pentagon. I got to the back gate, and as I pulled through, I noticed that I was the only vehicle on the road going through that gate at the time (though there might have been a car or two ahead, there were none behind me). The MPs shut the gate just after I pulled through it - I could see them in my rearview mirror closing it. After that, no one got on base except though the main gate. I spent the rest of the day pretty much doing what I could, and watching the news.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 9:14 AM

2015-09-11T09:14:28-04:00

I was in the CO cabin of the USS Falcon when the first plane hit. Like everyone the news was running in the background no sound. My CO called me at asked me what my assessment was, my initial assessment was wrong. I was standing in his office when the second plane struck and he turned to me and said "So much for your idea that this was an aviation mishap" Did not sleep much for the next two weeks had my retirement canceled and spent the next five years embroiled in two wars, lots of IEDs a few mines here and there, lots of PSD mission. But, I was proud to serve and the experience changed my life for unmeasurably and forever.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 9:22 AM

2015-09-11T09:22:54-04:00

I had just gotten out the April prior & had just returned to college. I was sitting in my 0700 Illustration class & was the only one listening to the radio on my headset.

I remember when it happened. The report came over the news. I looked up & everyone else was staring down at their work. Everything just kinda went into slow motion. I broke the silence by telling them that someone just flew planes into the WTC. Everyone stopped. Even our stereotypical hippie instructor (complete w/ the acid flashbacks) had that look of shock on his face. We found a TV & rolled it into the class & before long everyone in the building was in there watching it with us.

I remember walking back to my dorm room waiting - hoping - for my phone to ring telling me to come back to service.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 11 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-09-11T09:52:45-04:00

I was delivering drywall, working for 84 lumber to a remodel. I was with the KY ARNG. While I was turning the truck around to unload the other side of the truck, I heard on the truck radio, the second plane striking the south tower at 9:03. 2 weeks later I was reporting for duty, as one of our sister companies was activated to go to Ft Bragg. Jan 2002 I was sent to Belgium for force protection. Now have two other deployments after that. This we will NEVER forget!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-09-11T10:10:39-04:00

I was at NAS Pensacola attached to the Mishap Investigation Board for TRAWING SIX. Had just made the Commander's coffee and turned on the news...I thought it was a tragic airline accident and kept wondering if the crew had suffered from hypoxia, or if some other catastrophic system failure had put them into the towers. When the second one hit, we all knew it was a different story.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-09-11T10:35:44-04:00

COL Charles Williams, I will never forget. I was a young SPC (P) in PLDC when the attacks happened. The morning of, we had just came back to the barracks to shower after PT, when our SGL’s told us we were allowed to turn on our FM clock radios. We knew something was up because we weren’t allowed to do so up until that morning. We heard what was being reported as it was happening and we couldn’t believe it. So we had to rush and get ready for class and after we entered class, we were allowed to turn on the TV and see what was going on. Hearing the events unfold is one thing, seeing the attacks on TV is a whole different ballgame. The installation was put on lock down, all gates closed except for one, all parking in front of barracks and HQ bldgs were prohibited and my BDE was put on alert to deploy right away. It was a crazy day that I will never forget, especially for all of the lives that were loss that day and for all of the lives that have been lost as a direct results of that day.

Response by TSgt David L. made Sep 11 at 2015 10:37 AM

2015-09-11T10:37:06-04:00

I was at home on my first leave in a year, so I slept in. I got up in the morning and saw the first tower burning and then saw the 2nd plane hit the other tower. My wife had been watching the whole time. I got a call from work in a few hours letting me know we were going on standby and to stay close to the phone. I will never forget where I was or how I felt seeing the second tower take a direct hit.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Sep 11 at 2015 11:56 AM

2015-09-11T11:56:04-04:00

I lived in Jersey City, NJ at the time. It was very close to NYC. Depending on location you can see everything going on, including the tall buildings I was in science class at the time, it freshman year for me in high school. My mother was in the hospital holding on to the final days of her life battling liver cancer. It was a boring topic, we were talking about rocks. I was daydreaming and staring out the window. I saw what looked to me like a missile hitting the World Trade Center. I started panicking and notified my teacher of what I saw. He shut the blinds and told the class to stay seated as he left the class to notify the administration, obviously everyone got up.

After the teacher got back, all students were told to report to the gym. We waited in there for a good number of hours until the principle of the school told us that that both the twin towers are down and there has been an attack on US soil. I immediately started thinking about my family friends that work there and later found out that both have lost their lives during the attack. School was cancelled for the rest of the week due to the tragedy. All phone lines were cut out, and television was not very clear because the World Trade Center was used as a routing tower for communication.

It was then, that I wanted to serve my country for at least one term.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 11 at 2015 12:08 PM

2015-09-11T12:08:55-04:00

I was working telephone triage/appointment booking at Scott AFB Primary Care Clinic. I was on the phone with a patient and she suddenly said, 'oh my... a plane just hit the World Trade Center'. moments later, she said, she didn't need care that day and hung up.... I was thinking Cessna/piper cub or other small personal aircraft. I took a break for a moment and went out to our waiting area just in time to watch the second aircraft hit the second tower...... My world stopped for a moment, then remembered my wife and infant daughter were planning on leaving the base....I ran to a phone and called her, informing her to STAY HOME. Within 15 minutes, we went from ThreatCon Normal (have not seen that one since 9/11/2001) to FPCon Delta..... she freaked out when, within 15 minutes of my call, fully armed armored Security Forces vehicles started patrolling base housing and the base. I went home at lunch and packed a go bag that sat next to the door for 1 month in the event I got called out on short notice. I will never forget those moments....

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-09-11T12:25:37-04:00

COL Charles Williams I don't think anyone who was old enough to remember 9/11 will ever forget what they were doing that day. I was a Junior in high school, sitting in my American Government class and I remember the teacher turning on the TV. I remember feeling numb, my brain was having a hard time wrapping itself around the truth my eyes were telling it. So there I was looking at the chaos surrounding me; some were crying hysterically, others looked as shocked and numb as I felt. The school announced over the intercom that they would not be ending the day early but noted that some families may come to check us out sooner. The shock slowly became anger and in that moment I wanted to hurt those that had hurt us. I wanted all those lost lives to be avenged. Then that anger quickly turned into compassion and sorrow for the families of those lost lives. To some people 9/11 is just a historical event, they were too young to remember or were not born yet. But for those that remember, we will never forget.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 11 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-09-11T12:33:32-04:00

14 years ago I was at home reading the Bible and praying and had planned to go to the Pentagon later that morning for a meeting at my convenience. I got carried away and it was after 1000 when I received a phone call that the Pentagon had been hit and all events were cancelled and no entry would be permitted.
I discussed the situation with my wife and submitted a request to be mobilized - I was on voluntary orders prior to being mobilized.
LTG Timothy J. Maude and his primary staff were watching the aftermath of the attack on NY City on TV in his office. A friend of mine who was present in the office left to go to the bathroom on the inner ring. The plane hit LTG Timothy J. Maude's office and killed everybody inside instantly. My friend was burned severely even though he was at the other end because the flames shot up the hall.
The neighbors of some friends from church were passengers on the plane that hit the pentagon. Many people on Northern Virginia were directly affected by the 9/11 attack as were many in NY City.
I do not expect do ever forget what happened to this nation on 9/11/2011

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 11 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-09-11T12:46:45-04:00

On September 11, 2001 I was enjoying a morning off. I was sleeping in when one of my house mates said there had been a plane crash in New York City. My first reaction was "this better be worth getting up on my day off." When I saw what had happened, then we watched the second plane hit, and it was driven home that we were being attacked. It was surreal. In Colorado Springs, it is not unusual to see f-16s flying overhead. In the days immediately after the attack, they were unusual in that they were loaded with munitions. That is the one image that sticks with me the most. Looking up at a fully armed fighter aircraft actively patrolling over American soil.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-09-11T13:46:09-04:00

When I first heard it, I thought it was a joke. I was at a military college, and had just signed my contracting paperwork (formalizing as an MS3 Cadet) the day before. At the time, a relatively new game that I and several friends enjoyed was Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. In it, the opening scene depicts a massive assault on America that includes the Statue of Liberty being destroyed. It was one of my friends that also played who spread the news down the barracks, and I initially thought he found a hidden video (or perhaps something I missed) in the game showing the trade center destroyed. He came back a few minutes later to ask why I hadn't turned on the TV, and told me it was all over the news. I followed him back to his room just in time for news of the first tower collapsing to happen a minute or so later.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-09-11T14:59:44-04:00

On my to work in St Louis, listing to the radio. By the time I arrived at work that morning the first tower had collapsed. I was a CPT in 318th PSYOP Company - Jefferson Barracks, MO. 2 years to the date we were in Iraq outside Mosul (Q-West Air base) OIF.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-09-11T15:01:27-04:00

Was living in Yreka CA. Sleeping. Got the phone call from my sister-in-law.

We thought it was a bad joke at first, until we were told to turn on the news. Then the seemingly endless bombardment of flashbacks on the news started shortly after the WTC fell.

Still pissed, and remember it as if it were just yesterday!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-09-11T15:25:37-04:00

Just sad

Response by 1SG Jason Fitzpatrick made Sep 11 at 2015 4:28 PM

2015-09-11T16:28:13-04:00

I relenlisted Indefinitely that day. It was already scheduled of course, but how appropriate?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-09-12T15:14:50-04:00

I was in 5th grade. Walked into class and at first thought it was a movie until I noticed the news headlines. Never thought back then that I would join the military and be deploying because of that day.

Response by SSG Jeff Binkiewicz made Sep 13 at 2015 6:23 AM

2015-09-13T06:23:37-04:00

I was working approx. 12 miles from where flight 93 crashed. We heard a loud jet then a big explosion.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-09-14T12:16:24-04:00

I was in my sophomore class in my high school in upstate New York. Instead of the school news, they turned the TV over to CNN, and said a plane had struck the World Trade Center Tower. As soon as I found out it was 747, I knew it was no accident. We watched the coverage, and I remember seeing other students crying in hall, our old hall monitor said he was going to dig a hole so he could hide in it, and I called my father, a Navy Veteran, and he said sit tight, and it was very scary.

The reactions of my teachers covered the gamut as well. Our Biology teacher turned the TV off and said that she was sure that the terrorists wouldn't attack any more today, so we should continue with class. Our Social Studies teacher had the blinds closed and the lights off, and you could see the fury radiating off him. We spent the class discussing what makes America a great nation, and how angry it made him to see it under attack.

The attacks profoundly changed the way this nation behaves and operates. The easiest example comes from daughter, who has never lived in a peace-time United States, who told me when I drew a green humvee, that it couldn't be an Army truck, because all Army trucks are tan. To my daughter's generation, it is just a fact of life. To ours and the ones before it, it was a life changing experience. I joined the military, as did many others, and we swore the oath to keep this nation safe, no matter the cost. To all who have done the same, Thank You!

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Sep 14 at 2015 12:52 PM

2015-09-14T12:52:31-04:00

I was already a civilian with a 3 year old and a newborn. I was working in the basement of an office building and at first thought it was a repeat of 1945 when a B-25 ran into the Empire state building.

When the second plane hit I realized we were under attack, the pentagon, flight '94... but what hit me hardest was when the first tower collapsed... I knew it was only a matter of time before the second tower would and found myself screaming to myself "get them out, get everybody out... get Chinooks on the roof for the people trapped above the fire!!"... Later that evening I came home to a dark empty house and turned on the TV to SEE for the first time, horrified, angry,... words can't describe... I just wept.

I get the same feelings 14 years later... and they're the same feelings I get on Veterans day and Memorial day. Melancholy, maybe even depressed..., I think of the sacrifices people have made for OUR country, and it pisses me off more than a little that "We the People" get caught up in such insignificant crap as who has the right to get a marriage license, or what flag someone is flying.

Response by SPC Bobby Coble made Dec 25 at 2015 1:07 AM

2015-12-25T01:07:57-05:00

I was on my second day on the job as an armed security guard at a Kansas City, MO grocery store. I was already completely out of the military at that point, and had a sinking feeling about where the world was headed. Still feel that way today.

Response by PO3 Patrick Bolger made Jun 5 at 2018 1:54 AM

2018-06-05T01:54:09-04:00

on 9/11 I was working at Newark Intl Airport and watched the entire thing first hand.. spent 3 days in the city afterwards providing any help i could.