19 years ago today . . .

[copper67sat]

I work at a defense contractor with tight security so the few TVs in the office at that time were on rolling stands connected VCRs for meetings and such. When the first tower was struck, someone's wife called in to let them know what had happened. We managed to rig up enough of an antenna on the nearest TV to pick up a local news station and few of us got much work done as we stayed glued to the TV.

I spent most of the day and evening answering calls from everyone who knew my wife had been working in the towers - family, friends and some of her clients from past jobs. Most were in panic until I told them she was safe. Still brings back a lot of memories...

Terrible that it took such a tragedy to bring the people of this nation together and even worse that we have become even more divided since.

 

[Begood03]

I was at work, when a friend called and told me to turn on the TV. I was stunned as I saw the second plane hit the other tower. As long as I live, I will never forget. And to the ******** that celebrate the attacks...FO!!!

 

[beanhead]

Myself and my roomie at the time noticed how silent the outside world had become. And no BS, there wasn't even a single bird chirping. We listened and tried to hear one but the skies were completely silent.

 

[Timmayy]

I was in the break room at work with a bunch of other workers and we were just glued to the TV. We would each go out to do a little work on the floor and then rush back in to see updates.

 

[Ron H]

It is a tragic recollection that should be getting more press than it is today...so yes we take a moment to remember those who lost their lives along with those who responded losing theirs as well then...and who became ill years later. And the stories of loved ones trapped moments before they would die able to contact their family was incredibly tough to hear. The gutless slime that finds killing innocent-defenseless people somehow heroic or worthy defies any logic...much more believing a supreme power entices this...

 

[GrabberOrange69]

I was a Flight Commander and Instructor pilot (IP) at Whiting Field NAS, Pensacola FL at that time. I was flying later in the day, so I was going in to duty later in the morning. Predates smart phones, and the like, and I hadn’t listened to the news. Drove in to work listening to a music CD.

When I got to the gate, there was a huge line backed up, 50+ cars, and I remember muttering under my breath about some yahoo Ensign scheduling a 100% ID check...

When I walked into the squadron building, the duty officer met me and said, “you gotta come see this”. We walked into the office where there were 3 IPs looking at the TV video of the first tower in flames, smoke pouring out, and one of them said it was struck by an airliner. I asked him about the weather in NY and he said they were reporting it as clear. Was the plane emergency; engine out? “No sir”, was the response.

I shook my head in disbelief and went up stair to the scheduling office to start putting together the next days schedule. Shortly thereafter, the phone call came that a second plane had hit the towers. I looked around the room and relayed the message. I remember saying, “gentlemen, our lives are about ready to change in a drastic way, very soon...”

 

[R413]

Thanks to the first responders.

 

[Cranky]

Was working the evening shift at the time and got up a bit late that morning to turn in CNBC to watch the pre-market news and the burning tower was already going on. I knew shortly there after what was going on when the 2nd plane came in. Kinda ironic that a co-worker friend of mine and I had been talking about that very same thing happening only a few days prior.....

 

[Budnicks]

 

[Budnicks]

 

[Budnicks]

 

[Budnicks]

 

[64BEL]

As a volunteer firefighter, my first thought when I saw the first tower collapse on tv was how many firefighters just died? I knew it was a lot.
One of the many documentaries I've watched over the years featured the French film makers who were with FDNY Battalion Chief Joe Pfeifer doing a story and caught on film the first plane hitting the first tower. Later in that story one of the firefighters talked about the jumpers they had to dodge while going into the tower. He said he remembered thinking, how bad is it up there that the better option is to jump? So many entered those building knowing they wouldn't make it out but they wanted to save people anyway. Countless heroes that day over shadow the evil by a large margin.

 

[MOPOWER871]

It was a sunny morning with a slight chill in the air. My girl friend at the time was a stenographer and was in Manhattan for a deposition when she called to let me know that a plane had hit one of the towers, I turned on the tube to watch as it all unfolded.the other tower, Pentagon, and the United flight working way towards the white house. the cell tower on top of the trade center went down and cell service was limited I never spoke to my girl until late that evening she had to walk across the Williamsboro Bridge grab a taxi home it was a nightmare.
that evening every house on my block had candles burning on their stoop,there was silence nothing was flying, trains, cars weren't running. quiet
I had a close friend he worked for the MTA at a sub station at the corner of Church & Barclay st. I had not herd from him in a week, figured he was dead then I drove passed his hose again and this time his truck was there and he was out side . I was so glad he was OK, turns out he stayed in the city to help out with the recovery. two years later he died of esophageal cancer most definitely from all the **** in the air..RIP Cactus

 

[f569]

It was only after several months when the documentaries began airing that I found out I knew someone who perished on that day. Until then, other than being a New Yorker who was born, raised, worked and played in the shadow of those amazing structures, I had no personal connection to the tragedy.
FDNY Chief Orio Palmer, rest in peace, died in the collapse of tower #2. As it was told he and a co-firefighter ascended to the 78th floor, by way of the stairwell, fully laden with gear. I heard his voice and immediately recognized it before his name and radio transmission were printed on the TV screen. In that moment my heart sank. We grew up in the Bronx 2 blocks apart. He was several years older than me but always treated me and my friends as equals, unlike the other guys his age who never gave us the time of day. We were never really friends, just from families that knew and saw each other all the time. Last time I saw him was probably 40 years ago when he moved on from the old neighborhood.
Fast forward to 2003 when I moved to Long Island after meeting my wife. I detour through the neighborhood next to mine to avoid a traffic jam and where do I wind up????
ORIO PALMER WAY! I suppose his neighbors fittingly petitioned to have his street renamed in his honor less than a 1/4 mile from my house!
It made me smile wide as I thought of him and cry the rest of the way home. What a wonderful surprise that was.
God Bless Orio, his family and all who sacrificed everything that day. I am in awe of people like them.

 

[chargervert]

My brother in laws older brother was on the second plane that hit the towers. Everytime they show the planes hit the towers,he watches him die again! I went to his funeral,there was no body to pay respects to or bury! Very sad to see.

 

[f569]

I posted Chief Palmers picture because I believe him to be a true American hero. It is a publicly available photo.
Reflecting on the post, I wonder if it was appropriate to do so?
If not, mods please edit or I will try if asked to do so.

 

[khryslerkid]

I posted Chief Palmers picture because I believe him to be a true American hero. It is a publicly available photo.
Reflecting on the post, I wonder if it was appropriate to do so?
If not, mods please edit or I with try if asked to do so.

I'd say it's ok to Honor him with his picture. There would be many statues erected to Honor them all.

Thanks for your story and thanks to Chief Palmer and all of the fallen Heros.

 

[f569]

Thanks kid, Delta.
God Bless.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I was working at an Audio/Video and home theater store. Had several channels on the big TVs, and that still couldn't convey the feelings of what I knew had happened when the 2nd plane hit.
Prayers to all who died and those who knew them, and to those on Flight 93 who refused to surrender and gave their lives to save others, and to ALL the responders who went into those buildings to save others although it could and did mean their own deaths, YOU are the embodiment of TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOTS, and YOU are in Heaven, singing praises to God and bathed His Glory for all eternity!