9/11
There’s just a handful of world events that are so ingrained into our memories that we remember where we were and who we were with for those fateful moments. I recall where I was when JFK was assasinated, on the soccer field during recess during my 5th grade year. The teacher making her way out to inform us while wiping the tears away as she walked. And, on this horrendous day, receiving an early morning call from my father to inform me of the events.I’m not usually that late of a sleeper but that day my wife and I were both asleep when the phone rang and awakened us to the days unforgettable news. After saying “Hello?” he simply asked “Are you watching your TV?”. Still in a bit of a haze, I asked “What channel?”. His reply, “It doesn’t matter.” After turning on the TV I immediately saw his point as the news coverage was already intense even though we had tuned in just prior to the second plane hitting. The reports were varied at that point where they weren’t sure if it was an airliner or just a small plane. How quickly things changed.
Obviously we were glued to the newscasts throughout the day. The images of the buildings before and after are still vivid in my mind. The ghostly dust-covered figures emerging from the clouds of flying debris. The impossible collapse of both buildings. And, the unbelievable bravery of hundreds of ordinary people trying to make the best of it.
It wasn’t until later that we were able to see first hand via video footage just how scary the ordeal was for those people in the buildings and those who chose to go into the buildings. My wife and I remember. Please, never forget.