I think it’s safe to assume that most Americans experienced 9-11 through their television. I experienced a part of it in person and then later watched it on TV.
On September 11, 2001, I was working for a staffing firm in downtown DC, right in the heart of the city. Getting to work each day was a four step adventure that started with a drive to the park-n-ride, then onto a bus, followed by the metro and the rest of the journey was made on foot. It took over an hour to get from my door to work. On that sunny Tuesday morning, I went on my four step adventure just like any other day. I settled in at my desk, put on my headset and started making my calls.
I worked in a “bullpen” environment, so there was no surfing the net or checking my personal e-mail. It was fast-paced, numbers-oriented, high-stress, and go-go-go the entire day. So, I was doing my thing when one of my co-workers peeked over her desk.
“A plane hit a building in New York.”
“Really? Like a little private plane? Hm. Must’ve been a rookie pilot or something.” I just shrugged and went back to work. Then more whispers of a commercial plane hitting a building in New York started to circulate.
“A commercial plane? I wonder how that could’ve happened. That’s really strange.” We were trying to get onto a news site, but they were so flooded with traffic that we couldn’t get anywhere with it. People started calling relatives to find out what was going on. News of a second plane hitting a second building came in through the phone calls. Then, we received word that the pentagon had blown up. It just seemed too far fetched. It seemed like people were just getting carried away or something.
“Well, if the Pentagon is on fire, we’ll be able to see it from the roof deck.” So, we all raced up to the steps to roof deck.
A sinking feeling came over me as I saw black smoke billowing over the skyline from the direction of the Pentagon. “Oh. My. Gosh.” Something really had happened.
“We’re under attack.”, one of my coworkers said.
We all went back downstairs to the office, not sure what to do. One of my other coworkers was on the phone with her mother. Her face went pale and she slowly pulled the phone down from her ear. “My mom said one of the World Trade towers just crumbled.”
“What?! How did that happen?” Again, it just seemed like people might be exaggerating. It was just too much to comprehend
“…also the National Mall is on fire.” (It wasn’t, but that’s what we were being told at the time.)
OK. That was enough for me. I needed to get out of there. “I’m going home.” I wasn’t the only one with that idea. Everyone in the office started packing up and management finally agreed to close the office.
“The metro service is suspended.”
“Well, can anyone give me a ride?” A guy I hardly knew was going in my direction and offered a ride. “Just let me call my husband, first. He’s in the city, too.” I called him. He was able to escape his office and see a TV in a local bar with coverage of the day’s events. “I’m going to try to catch a cab with a coworker. If you have a ride out of here, take it and we’ll meet up at home.” It was tough to just leave it at that, but he was right. Trying to get to each other in that madness would’ve been almost impossible and very dangerous, for all we knew. “OK, I’ll see you at home.”
A few people were calling their family to let them know they were OK and were leaving for home. The thought then occurred to me that I should call my mom. I gave her a quick call and let her know I was leaving the city.
I got in the car with the driver and one other coworker, who was being dropped off in Arlington. The streets of DC were crazy. People were walking everywhere, traffic was worse than the normal gridlock. We had the radio on to try to get an idea of what was happening. As we neared Arlington, we heard an explosion and I jumped in my seat. “What was THAT?” We were scared. We heard on the radio a few minutes later that the State Department was hit with a bomb. (It wasn’t, but that is what was being reported. What we heard was a secondary explosion from the Pentagon.)
We dropped off the guy who lived in Arlington and headed out to the suburbs. The guy driving the car…I can’t remember his name…he was from New York and had family working in that city. He couldn’t get through to them on his cell phone and started to panic. “I just need to go to my buddy’s house in Arlington, so I can see what’s going on. I’ll leave you my car and we’ll sort it out later.” “What?! Look, I don’t know you very well and I’m so sorry that you can’t get in touch with your family, but please don’t leave me here alone.” I didn’t know my way around the area and the traffic was terrible. He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a sigh. “Okay…okay.” The ride to my car was tense. We just listened to the radio and watched the road.
We reached my car at the park-n-ride. I first walked around the lot to see if my husband’s car was still there. It was. I tried calling him on his cell phone, but all circuits were busy. I pulled out a piece of paper from my briefcase and wrote him a note.
“I made it to the car and am going to drive home. I’ll see you there soon. I love you.”
I set it on his car seat and got in my car to drive home. I listened to the radio some more, gripping the steering wheel. I pulled into our apartment complex, parked, raced up to our third floor apartment and turned on the TV. I think I sat there for about an hour, mouth gaping in disbelief.
My husband arrived home later and shared his story of walking out of the city, bridge closings, seeing a makeshift nursery in the trees next to the Pentagon and being asked to help direct traffic at one point. He had a particularly terrifying moment when another plane appeared to be flying towards the Pentagon. A Navy officer jumped out of a black SUV and told everyone to take cover. My husband ran towards the Potomac, resolved he would jump in, if needed. It then became clear the plane was landing at Reagan National and was not a threat.
I don’t remember the rest of that day. I remember staying home from work the next day. I remember cable channels didn’t show their usual programming and the skies, which were usually filled with planes taking off and landing from Dulles International were dark and quiet. I remember feeling scared and didn’t want to go in the city again. I remember the days and months after, where suspicious people were tackled by ordinary citizens on the metro and the entire vibe of the city was on edge and alert. Our candidates were scared to work in administrative positions where they had to open mail because of the anthrax attacks. I later worked in a position where I placed people to work on the Pentagon renovation project and contractors to support the war in Iraq. I feel like I experienced a part of history.
I know my experiences are so small in light of everything that happened that day. My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones and friends, to those who have struggled with injuries and nightmares, to those who worked tirelessly after the event in the cleanup and to those who fought and are still fighting in the subsequent wars. May God comfort, encourage and lift you up.
52 Responses
Thanks for sharing your story. It is always interesting to hear different view points of that day, and how it has affected others. Glad that you and your husband were both safe that day after being so close to the pentagon. I will never forget 9-11-01.
Rachel
Your story is not small at all. Someone does not have to die in order for your life to be changed forever.
I could barely breathe while reading this. The vivid description is so strong.
Let me assure you and everyone else that Canada does not and will not forget either.
Thanks for sharing your story. I will also never forget – my brother was working on the 78th floor of the North Tower – he managed to walk down the stairwell and out to safety before the building collapsed. And I will never forget all of the firefighters who bravely walked UP those stairs to do their job. What an amazing group of people. God bless America.
Another Canadian checking in to say that I remember that day all too vividly. My Dad and his sister were in the US and scheduled to fly home that morning. Not knowing what was going on, they got up early and went straight to the airport only to find they were locked out. It took a 28 hour bus ride to get them back across the border. They could only make one brief phone call home to say they were on their way. I was so glad to have them home again and remember feeling that everything that was once safe, wasn't any more. Thank you for posting your story. Each of us remember the day differently, but our collective memories draw us together in spirit.
Oh Marian,
What a Story…I wish I could give you a big hug right now! You & your husband were so brave! It will never be forgotten.
Take Care,
Christine
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It's a amazing to read all of these 9-11 accounts from different people in different parts of the country. Your story is not small, but rather a piece in a huge puzzle of our countries history.
I don't think your experiences are small at all… to have been so close to that part of the tragedy as you and your husband were would have been frightening to say the least. Thank you for sharing your story… it's a time in our lives and part of history we should never forget – no matter how large or how small the experiences were.
This was wonderful MMS !! Thank you for alway having such beautiful posts – you are so talented, and all around fabulous! 🙂
I was home schooling my youngest son, the other 5 were grown or nearly grown. My husband called us and said turn on the tv. We watched in shock, glued to the tv for hours.
My second youngest son was a senior in high school. This son, Ryan, had always talked of joining the Marines. After 9/11, he signed up to join right away on the delayed entry program. He may not have signed up so soon if not for 9/11. That clinched it for him.
Ryan did 3 tours in Iraq and thankfully came home safe and sound. Though he still has nightmares and flashbacks. He was in the head humvee of the convoys, always in danger of the ieds. He watched a buddy get hit and burn from one. 🙁
I lived about an hour outside the city then and remember the false reports and the feeling of being under attack. Mom's raced to pick their kids up from schools and stories from people who worked at the Pentagon and commuted from our community started to filter in. Never felt such shock and sickness in my life. My oldest son was doing an internship at Ft. Detrick in Frederick and the anthrax scare was in full bloom at the time. Then the DC snipers were caught about 7 minutes from my house at the time. That fall gave me serious anxiety.
Lisa
Oh the world is so small! I too was working in DC. I was a senior aide to a US Senator. My daughter was visiting me from our home in Las Vegas and I was going into work later that morning because we were going to take "family photos" with the Senator. As such, just as I was turning off the TV to drive the couple of miles to work we saw the news bulletin…I didn't go into work until the next morning. The City had changed overnight – the Pentagon still burning; armored vehicles surrounded the Washington Monument, streets barricaded everywhere; armed military guards with dogs and mirrors to check my car and ID as I entered my parking area under the senate building; the confirmation days later that Flight 93 had been headed for the Capitol Building. I have since returned home to Nevada, but my thoughts on this day are first with the families of those awesome passengers of Flight 93 and then with those whose lives where lost in DC and NYC. Thank you for sharing your story!
Marian, thank you for sharing your experiences. Normal is new now isn't it.
I experienced the events of 9-11 in real time on tv via Fox News while rocking my 7 1/2 mo old baby boy. He was our first baby and now he is 10 1/2.
Our family was forever affected as my 2 brothers were both deployed subsequently. God protected them through their deployments (total of 4) and now they have wives and children of their own.
We are blessed. Will remember. Always.
Thank you, Marian, for sharing your story with us. Like you said, so many of us just experienced it thru the tv. you were one of millions of people that just went to work one day and then their lives were changed forever. My main remembrance is the hours I spent in prayer for our country and those who were affected. Blessings to you and your family who were close by, xo Debra
Thank you for sharing that with us, I can't imagine how scared you were. It still seems like it happened yesterday. I'm glad you and your husband made it home safe. My heart breaks for anyone that lost someone close to them.
Thank you so much for sharing. You've inspired me to perhaps blog my memory of that day.
thanks Marian. We often forget about the Pentagon and Flight 93. I had forgotten about the anthrax scares. My husband was across the street in his office and saw the second plane hit the South Tower. My daughter's dorm was three blocks away. Luckily, she was on campus in the village when the planes hit, but couldn't get any of her things for three weeks. She never slept in that dorm again. My husband led a group of people north on West Street amidst the debris and falling bodies. He never talked about it until today. He never sat down around the house for over a year. Much of our life had revolved around the World Trade Center. His family firm's building was the first to be demolished on Dey St. To make way for the new construction. I went to the first luncheon at the Windows on the World. We used to go over there for drinks after work. We came back at night when they were filming King Kong. My daughter's twenty first birthday party was going to be at Windows on the World. His old firm was directly hit by Flight 175. We are fortunate.
WOW! What a day that was for you!
m ^..^
It is good to hear a story of survival. How scary that must have been. There was such uncertainy that day. We didn't know if it was going to continue. Glad you were safe.
Eventhough I've never been in US back then and I can bearly remember what happened, eventough I was 15 days old when we had invasion and we stayed on the beach for 21 days and my mom borrowed a unsterelized bottle of milk from a 3 years old boy to feed me,eventhough I was born in a country where we have war every 5 or 6 years…you just brought tears to my eyes.I tought that I'm used to these cruel things, i tought that even if I will read you words I will not get emotional but they were so true and you just brought back memories from my childhood adolescence adulthood…
Glad you were safe.
Your story was so interesting. Every story is a part of the history that is 9-11-01. I also did a 9-11 post. It just seemed cathartic.
Never Forget. God Speed.
Pam
God Bless America! What a wonderful country we living in where so few are doing so much to protect us! Never forget!
And please never stop praying for the leaders, troops and citizens of this great Nation!
That day changed my family forever. Not even an hour after the 1st plane hit my son in law was on the phone volunteering to return to the Active Duty as a Navy Corpsman. Not that he hadn't already experienced war more than once; but he as well as many others felt compelled to become involved. He was gone a month later leaving a wife(my daughter) and 2 very young children, Alex(now 18-yrs old)& Bailee(now 12-yrs old). Gone for a total of 2-yrs, they lost everything, home etc..& they are still trying to recover. My youngest son also enlisted in the Marines 4.5yrs ago. I am very proud of my family's military service & their call to duty. God Bless those who are still fighting the fight & keeping us here in America free.
Thank you for sharing your story. I was far away in Georgia but remember vividly being at my children's elementary school and hearing the news about a plane crashing into the Trade Center. Because of that horrible day, my cousin, Trey Bartlett, joined the Army. Five years ago, Trey was killed in Iraq serving the country that he loved so much. Because of that act of terrorism, families continue to be affected. Let's never forget those who have given so much for us to live freely! God Bless America!!!
Marian, I wrote about what I was doing that day on my blog today too. It's something I'll never forget.
I used to travel the world, and always loved to fly. I have never stepped on an airplane since 9/11/01.
But, I would not break my only child's (daughter) heart when she wanted to France on a school trip in 2009, but it's something I couldn't do with her (though I was invited). In fact, I let her car pool with a friend to Chicago O'Hara airport to depart– I knew I wouldn't be able to hold my composure at the gate.
Thanks you for sharing what it was like in/around DC at the time.
Tearfully, after all of these years,
Suzanne in NW Illinois
We were celebrating my hubby's 40th birthday that day. He called me from work that morning and said, "Turn on the TV. I think a plane just hit one of the towers of the WTC in NY." He then came home from work and we spent many hours in front of the TV. While watching the horror we stopped and prayed for our sister Country. Our airport, in Nova Scotia, welcomed 43 planes that day as airlines hurried to land their planes. Today as we celebrated hubby's 50th birthday, we remembered…we will never forget!!
Wow, thanks for sharing. My experiences were also so small compared to others. I was at home…. and saw it all on TV as it happened. But, two months later, I did get to go to NYC (from TX) and do what I could… I posted photos from that today. Though they are not good photos by any standards, they are a piece of history that I have that reminds me of all of the heroes of that day.
Thank you for sharing that story with us. Even though you were never in danger, you never knew it and you were just as scared, and thats an overwhelming feeling I'm sure. I love that on this solemn day, we are all Americans again – united! Blessings, Barb
You shared your moments on a very scary day in history and it puts another perspective that I can't imagine myself, being on the opposite part of the country. Thank you for sharing. My memories seem miniscule next to yours, but they are what each of us have…a moment now that is part of history. I wrote about my experience on my blog too.
Blessings,
Cindy
So glad you and your family were safe! The events of that day were horrendous. My thoughts for today were about hope, healing, and strength.
I remember that day.my story is much like everyone else's, not much to say but surprise and shock. I remember feeling quite numb about the while thing, and then on Sept. 14, I woke up and just cried for 4 hours straight while watching people on the new put up photos on a wall, trying to find missing loved ones. Just kind of hit me all at once.
To bring a bit of lightness to it, that was also the last itme I ever got flowers. My boyfriend at the time (who is now my husband) had sent me a spur of the moment bouquet of roses that had arrived to me at work that morning. To this day, he won't buy me flowers because he believes it'll trigger another national incident!
Thank you for sharing your story. I was living in Arlington and was on the 14 th floor of our building in our apartment. My husband worked at the Reagan building and my kids were at their middle school when the plane hit the Pentagon. It was a surreal experience that changed our lives; one we don't like to remember, but will never forget. God bless America!
We will never forget…thank you for your story.
I had gone to Goodwill when it first opened that morning. I was checking out and the girl who was ringing me up was talking to her co-worker saying something about how her mother called to tell her a plane had hit a building. I don't remember if she said in New York or not. I then went to Value Village, my favorite second hand store, and saw on the televisions that were on display the live shots of both of the towers on fire. I listened to the coverage for a few minutes and watched as the first tower collapsed. I decided it was time to get home. Listening to the radio as I was driving, I heard the report of the plane hitting the Pentagon. My blood went cold. My husband works in a federal building in DC so I was concerned, but mostly frightened at the realization that America was under attack. I headed right to my children's school and got them to take them home where I felt we would be safer waiting for word from my husband and his return home.
I live near BWI airport and I still remember the feeling when I heard the first planes in the air several days later.
I have spent the last two days in Shanksville, Pennsylvania at the Flight 93 site as the new memorial was dedicated yesterday and today for the commemoration service. Last night I went back to the site for the Luminaria Lights. Almost 3,000 luminarias lit, one for each person who lost their life on 9/11. Really pretty and very graphic to let you know just how many lives were taken that day. I am so glad that the 40 lives that were lost in Shanksville became the heroes we needed to give us hope in spite of the horror the nation had faced. I was honored to be there for the activities this weekend.
Thank you for your post on this sad, sad day. I was wondering what you would write today – and, as always…you always say the right thing as you give your personal side of the story. I remember that I was practicing some faux finishes in my basement (pre going pro!)and I was listening to the radio when the planes hit the Trade Center. I called my husband who was working for a defense contractor at the time…I was worried that his company could become a target. Luckily no. He came home early that day and we were both glued to the news coverage on CNN I knew two people who perished that day. I think of them so often – even during the year as the time has passed.
Thanks for the wonderful image as well.
That's so interesting. Those of us who watched on TV really only have seen one side. What a scary experience!
That was very touching. Thanks for sharing. Each story is moving.
My husband was in the city that day too. I remember being scared to death that I couldn't get a hold of him because the phone lines were overwhelmed. So glad you and your husband were both safe!
Kat
Thank you for sharing your story and your thoughts. It was a very scary day and I hope we remember those we lost as well as the strength we found that day and those afterwards..
Oh my! We too will never forget! Thanks for sharing your story! How stressful that must have been for you!
Hugs
SueAnn
Thank you for sharing.. it is through words shared that we find comfort and the strength to move forward.
maddie
Thanks for the moving post, Marian. I too was living outside DC in September 2001, and the morning of the 11th I was on a plane coming home from a trip to San Francisco with my young daughter and landed at Dulles a little more than an hour and a half before the first plane hit. Although I traveled extensively for work, since my daughter was born I developed horrible anxiety issues when flying and I'd worked with biofeedback and breathing to keep myself calm – on the morning of September 11th I had been so tired on my red eye into Dulles that I congratulated myself for not feeling my usual extreme anxiety. When we arrived home, the news was broadcasting footage of the single tower that had been hit, the smoke… the news helicopters captured the second plane hitting and all I could do was imagine myself on that plane, my young daughter seated next to me as she had been just 2 hours before, both of us scared and helpless…what would I have said to her as we crashed, how would I have held her? I had a full blown panic attack and I can't tell you how many xanax it takes to get me on a plane to this day. My daughter is now a teenager and does her own fair share of flying alone, and I actually pretend she is 'special needs' so they will give me a pass to accompany her to the gate so I can kiss her goodbye and look her in the eye and tell her I love her before each flight. I still cry when the plane door closes and probably always will. I later moved to a small town outside Boston that coincidentally was the home of so many of those who perished on the flights. There are memorials in so many places around town. Each time I see one I feel it in my gut again.
Peace to all of us.
Oops, sorry about the above comment, Will try again. That was a wonderful post, Marian. Briefly, I was on my way to Japan that day and was at Chicago O'Hare airport waiting for my connection. Long story short, I had my son drive to Chicago and bring me, and a new friend I had just met that day, back home. We arrived around 9:30 pm that night. Long ride back. I did a posting on this day of remembrance, too. We must NEVER forget.
I can just imagine the feeling of disbelief and chaos that must have been going through you that day. I can't imagine being THAT close to one of the situations.
I was sitting with my husband in my MIL's living room waiting on a call from her Dr. to take her to the hospital (she passed on 9-13) when we witnessed live the 2nd plane hitting the other tower. I had noticed that 2nd plane flying so close when they were reporting about the first plane. No one seemed to notice it though. They must have been so absorbed with the 1st plane, they weren't paying attention to 2nd.
my thoughts were with all americans yesterday… thank you for sharing your story Marian.
We lived in AZ at the time and my brother and family in NY. I remember getting a call that morning from my husband after he got to work. I was just finishing breakfast before starting homeschooling my 8 year old daughter. I had not turned on the TV. After my husband told me the shocking news, I remember the first thought I had was, "Where was my brother?" He was and still is in the FDNY. It was a feeling of such panic as I watched and listened. Hearing that the towers were not only hit but had collapsed with so many inside including firefighters was unthinkable. I cried out to God for his life. I tried calling and calling time and time again, 20 maybe 30 times, but the phone just kept coming up with a busy signal. I had to turn off the TV as I didn't want my young daughter to see the horror of people dying right before our eyes. My heart kept pounding and my mind racing trying to process the magnitude of what had just happened and the unknown whereabouts of my brother. I begged God to please let me know if he was alive. And just then after placing another call the phone rang. I can still hear the anguish in my sister-in-law's voice. I don't think I even said hello to her, but my first words were, "Where is Brian?" She said that he was standing right there. He was off duty that morning. Relief doesn't even scratch the surface of what I felt. God had answered my prayer. I spoke with him briefly as he was making his way in to do a job he had committed his life to doing…saving lives. He lost many friends that day.
No words can describe the depth of sorrow of heart. No words…..
For me, however, this day has a glimmer of thankfulness as I remember. I thanked the Lord again yesterday that my brother's life was spared. I thank God that He has not only protected him on 9/11, but over the entire course of his 31+ years in the department.
I am so very proud of my brother and how in my eyes he is and always will be a hero.
I'm so happy your story had a happy ending. I can barely watch news coverage without wanting to cry. It's uplifting to hear positive outcomes. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your story — I moved to DC in 2004 and still live here — I can't even imagine the chaos you experienced. I didn't realize you lived in DC back then! We actually have dreams of moving from DC up to the Gettysburg area too at some point 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing. That time is still so raw and I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. If we could all just remember how close we felt to each other and our instinct to draw our family close, we would have learned so much from that day.
Marion your story is not a small part, it's just as huge as others. Thank you for sharing, it was a gripping read of a reminder of a day none of us will ever forget. It changed the course of our nation. Not long after that day happened when the news came out who the mastermind of that day was, my eldest son was aboard his ship in departure for home port from the Middle East. They were ordered to turn around and we later found out his ship was the one that sent the first missile in to Afghanistan. The war on Terrorism began. My son was newly married with his wife still in her home country and we then began phone calls with her to comfort her through this terrifying time.
Thanks again for sharing your story. Lord Bless.
I tear up each time I hear another American's fear that day,and remember the massive loss our country shared that day. I am so proud of the way our country pulled together during that time. And rejoice in the heroic stories that are still told. It reminds me of how fortunate we are to live in America. I am so thankful for all who serve to keep our country safe – the military, police officers fire fighters. May God bless each of you !!!
I was in Rolla, Missouri when it happened. I had just started a new job; my second day. I watched the tragedy in the board room of the bank I worked for on a projector sized screen. It made it very real for all of us. I prayed, cried, and prayed some more. I couldn't reach my Uncle, who worked in New York in the area of the twin towers. It took several days to contact him – thankfully he was okay.
My father served 23 years in the Navy, but sadly passed away before this happened. I miss him terribly, but I am glad he didn't have to witness the attack on our country – it would have broken his heart. He loved America and taught us to do the same.
Remember we had the sniper a few months later? i took a bus, then metro, then walked too and boy was that time freaky-deaky. DC had a rough year in 2001.
Thank you for sharing your 9/11 story. I hadn't thought about what it must have been like for people like you who worked in that area. I would have been scared silly.