Have we forgotten? What were you doing the morning of September 11, 2001 when you found out? Are we safer today?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 18:04:42 -0500

2 part question:
1.What were you doing the of September 11, 2001 when you found out? Please type your response.
2.Are we safer? Please answer survey.
Please vote this up and contribute your stories to keep it going.
Also read other's stories below and vote the best stories up as well.
Thank you for your service.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/159454993/

September 11, 2001

The view on 9-11 from Jersey City. The September 11, 2001 attacks consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly targeting civilians. That morning, 19 terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767-223, wide-body aircraft crashed into the north side of the North Tower of the World Trade Center (WTC) at 8:46:30...

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Feb 9 at 2015 7:19 PM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:19:46 -0500

I was in bed. I had my wisdom teeth pulled the day before.

This is an outstanding question to ask your younger troops. Listen to their responses, get them to explain their emotions. You will see a very real change to them as they talk. It is a great comparison to have those who were in the military and those who were not at the time both answer this. This is a great way to learn about the people you work with and get people to listen to one another.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 9 at 2015 7:25 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:25:22 -0500

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, I was in the office of one my best clients and closest friends, in Brentwood, TN. His secretary burst in to his office and told him to turn on the TV. After we realized what we were watching was real, I didn't leave his office for another two hours.
I think we are less safe now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 7:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:26:42 -0500

I was working I'm the motorpool

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 9 at 2015 7:27 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:27:48 -0500

I was working at HQ FORSCOM in the message center when I found out. I will tell you my soldier had never seen that much message traffic that quickly.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 9 at 2015 7:51 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:51:29 -0500

I was with the MAGTF Staff Training Program at the time. We trained General Officer Staffs on MAGTF operations....

I was traveling between my two buildings when I found out the the first building got hit. One of my contractors told me.

I hightailed it back to my office and we had the bigscreens up. I saw the second tower get hit. We heard about the Pentagon.

About a month prior we had been doing a training exercise out at MARFORRES in New Orleans.

That week, as soon as birds were back in the air, I was flying back to MARFORRES, helping them get spun up. We were anticipating full blown activation.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 8:31 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 20:31:55 -0500

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member I was still sleeping when a colleague called me at my hotel to turn on television. At first from what appeared to be a lot of dust and collapsing buildings . . . I thought a major earthquake had hit NY. When I saw a large civilian airliner crashing into a skyscraper . . . I thought back to computer simulations we had run to model the effect of a fully fueled airliner crashing into the containment building of a live nuclear reactor. Whether or not hit with enough force to breach containment . . . the resulting debris and fire would incapacitate and/or destroy the backup generators and the power lines to the coolant circulation pumps . . . leading to melting of the core . . . with unfortunate followon consequences for everyone concerned. While there was huge loss of life in NY . . . things would have been much worse if these airliners were crashed into an active nuclear reactor facility. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Feb 9 at 2015 9:31 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 21:31:44 -0500

I was in college taking mid-term exams. I had just completed my first exam and was going to the second when rumors of an attack in NYC began circulating. We took the second exam, since it was just rumors and then I went to the Student Center where there were televisions, all of which were tuned to News Stations, local and national covering the stories from NYC, DC, and later PA. All exams were canceled by 10:30 am that day and classes rescheduled or dismissed for the next day also.

As for the second part, I believe we are much less safe today. Terrorists learned a lot during the time since 9/11/2001 and have become more sophisticated in their ways of dealing. They have also recruited large numbers of very gullible young idealists from countries all over the world to their cause and sent them back to their homelands to spread terror.

Response by SPC Joshua Williams made Feb 9 at 2015 9:36 PM

SPC Joshua Williams — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 21:36:49 -0500

I was at the Fierre Fire station at Norfolk Va Naval Base. With my high school NJROTC. When a Naval Luietnant walked in and told us to drop our firefighter gear and get back on the bus to go back to our barracks and pack up our stuff and go home.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 9:39 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 21:39:38 -0500

I was working in my office in Mannheim, Germany. My wife called from the States to tell me that they thought a small plane had flown into the Twin Towers, but they were not sure. We turned the TV on and watched it play out.

I was impressed by the way the Germans set up a kind of memorial (candles, flowers, notes of support) at the American Kasernes. We were all Americans (famous quote by someone) for a little while there.

I think we are safer today because the intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies all over the USA have stepped up their game and are onto these guys before they can get started.

Even though I think we are safer and I'm impressed by the work being done - and the way the good guys are catching the bad guys before they can get going - despite that, it's almost inevitable that one or more will slip through. With the freedom in our society, it's almost impossible to catch every bad guy (i.e., terrorist).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 9:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 21:51:10 -0500

I was getting ready for my day at middle school (7th or 8th grade). I decided to turn on the TV in my bedroom and saw the images of the towers burning. My mother wasn't sure what was happening and took me to school. I get to school and everyone is freaking out and going home. I ended up staying the whole day as neither I or my mother knew the weight of the situation.

More interesting to me, was that earlier in the year, my world geography teacher pointed to the middle east region and said, "In the next 10 years, there will be a war here. It won't be world war 3, but it will set off the events leading to world war 3."

As far as I am concerned, that was a prophetic statement. I am just waiting for the events to unfold ***knock on wood*** I don't hope for it, but it sure looks like he was right.

Response by PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) made Feb 9 at 2015 9:59 PM

PO2 Stephen Brinkley (Scott) — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 21:59:24 -0500

I was the COW at ComSubGru Nine. My job was to inform Ops and the Admiral of all the TS messages that came across

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Feb 9 at 2015 10:15 PM

SPC Lukas Jones — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:15:55 -0500

I woke up to my mom calling me from work. It was a school day and she told me to turn on the tv and as I was processing what was going on, I watched the second plane hit. I was floored. The entire day at school, we didn't have lessons, we just watched CNN on TV as it all unraveled. There was a somber mood to the whole school. Kids just sitting at tables. No one talking. At the end of the day, we all went home. I don't think I will ever forget that.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 10:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:21:24 -0500

I was in the 5th grade sitting in class. No one told us, we were too young. But then lots of students were being checked out early by their parents to be taken home. I was not one of them. I found out later that night at a baseball game what happened and I could not fully wrap my head around it.

Today I feel like we are less safe. We have become more and more politically correct, we have become fearful, we give up more and more freedoms. At some point, the land of the free and home of the brave will be home to government slaves and the land of the fearful. I for one will not be one of them but it is in the future if we do not stand against it.

Response by SSG Daniel Miller made Feb 9 at 2015 11:01 PM

SSG Daniel Miller — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 23:01:56 -0500

On my way to an ROTC BBQ two days before my first class at college. Thought it was a radio prank until everyone started talking about it.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 1:29 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 01:29:00 -0500

I was at school before first class when I found out. My buddy came and told me and I did not believe him. I had to hear several other people say it was true before I believed it. And then we had an assembly in the afternoon where they talked about what had happened. It was September 12, 2001. Because I lived in Papua New Guinea and 9/11 happened at midnight(ish) for me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 1:39 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 01:39:09 -0500

I was working on a boiler room in downtown Jacksonville, FL.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 1:52 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 01:52:53 -0500

PART 1- Here's what I was doing when I found out:
I was working as a marine electronics technician down at the former MOTB (Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne (NJ) installing a new dredge control system on a barge. The former MOTB was about 4.5 miles from the Towers.

I remember the drive into work: it was a very beautiful morning; watching the sun rise up above the Twin Towers.

Around 8:50 that morning, I was working inside the dredge when I was told that one of the towers was on fire. When I walked out of the dredge and onto the dock, I just couldn't believe my eyes. Unfortunately the worse was yet to come.

Approximately 12 minutes, I saw a passenger airplane flying low and fast right above me. I
knew that was not good. somehow, I knew that it was the second plane, but I didn't know where it was heading to until I saw the bright flash when United flight 175 hit the South Tower. 20 seconds later was when I heard the explosion.

You stand there helpless while both towers are on fire. One could only feel for the lives that were lost at that moment, still not knowing that more would perish. Less than an hour later was when I saw the first tower come down. It collapsed in silence, but only to hear the sound of the collapsing tower about 20 seconds later. I could not comprehend what that sound was until I saw the second tower collapse. It sounded like a runaway train erupting from
Hell.

After that second tower collapsed, I was in pure and utter disbelief. After the Pentagon was hit, the barge crew members got into their rental cars and just drove back home to be with their families down South. I drove back to my place a couple of hours later, just in
complete shock.

Several weeks earlier, I had just signed up as a volunteer firefighter. That afternoon on 9/11, I was sitting in the fire house watching the news with the other volunteer fire fighters. Our
department was not called for the recovery efforts.

I will always remember 9/11. My heart still goes out to those innocent souls who had perished and to their families.

NEVER FORGET!

PART2- I think that we are safer, but the government needs to find balance in our security versus how much privacy and freedom we really have nowadays. Therefore, I feel that our freedom has been sacrificed for our security. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 2:24 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 02:24:32 -0500

I was drawing my weapon from the arms room preparing to deploy to Bosnia for SFOR 10. Half the battalion had flown out earlier that morning and we got delayed four days because of the air traffic grounding. I couldn't believe what was happening as we watched the T.V in the dayroom as the planes crash into the World Trade center.

It wasn't a normal Bosnia deployment for us. The threatcon level was maxed out and we patrolled in full kit with weapons in an amber status. We also conducted some missions to capture suspected terrorists and terrorist training facilities.

I believe we are safer than we were prior to 9/11 but I am worried that our growing lack of presence in Afghanistan and Iraq will lead to the country being exposed for another big attack.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 3:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 03:16:11 -0500

This is going to make some of you feel old, and some feel young. I was sitting in my U.S. History class in 7th grade. We always had the TV turned on for the first portion of the class so that we could view the news and learn about the history that happened every single day in our country. Little did we know as 7th graders, kids, that we would be witness to the single largest attack carried out against the United States, on our own soil.

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Feb 10 at 2015 5:23 AM

SGT Rik Thibodeau — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 05:23:43 -0500

I was working in the SETAF Operations Center in Vicenza, Italy. It was about 3pm there, the AChops casually strolled into our office and announced that a plane had hit the WTC so we ran to the TV and saw the second one hit and it was on after that. We didn't get home until about midnight that night and I'll never forget, when I got home, my Italian neighbors were standing at my door with tears streaming down their faces.

Response by SSG LaKeshia Edghill made Feb 10 at 2015 6:22 AM

SSG LaKeshia Edghill — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 06:22:18 -0500

I was driving to work at Ft Campbell when I heard it on the radio.

Response by SPC Christopher Shanahan made Feb 10 at 2015 6:28 AM

SPC Christopher Shanahan — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 06:28:57 -0500

It's weird that I remember it so distinctly, but I was in 5th grade and another teacher came in our room to tell my teacher to turn on the television. In hindsight it probably wasn't a great idea to have a bunch of 11 year olds watching the second plane hit the towers, but it changed me and was one of the reasons I joined the military. I do believe that we are more safe today merely because our eyes are open and our pseudo bubble of "safety" was shattered. We are more prepared and more ready for the the insanity that can be brought to our doorstep in a single morning.

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Feb 10 at 2015 6:45 AM

SFC Walt Littleton — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 06:45:00 -0500

I was in the middle of a jb interview and had just been given my acceptance letter. I was unemployed before that moment. I was very happy, relieved and pumped up. As we came out of the office together they had the TV on and everyone was glued to it. People yelled at us to come see this. It's the first time in my life where I went through such a high and then a low in about 15 seconds.

Response by SFC Ian Lumgair made Feb 10 at 2015 7:08 AM

SFC Ian Lumgair — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 07:08:51 -0500

I was attending BNOC at Ft Eustic. Va. Prior to that day I was working on getting out. Making connections to get a good job in the civilian sector. 9/11 kept me Army to this day I wish I could have done more more tours worked harder ext. Oddly the previous year I had written a paper on the threat of terrorism to the United States, and I was Pooh Pooh by the professor. We are in a significantly more vulnerable position than we where even prior to 9/11 we have more state sponsored enemies than in our entire history. We have fewer and less reliable allies than we ever have. we lack a real alternative vision for those who would be our enemy. Most of all when we employ our military might. we do so with a measured response. Well that only will get use a measured solution not a clear resolution.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 7:34 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 07:34:00 -0500

It was my senior year of high school....I was in a history class (around 9am), every tv in the school had the news on. I don't remember doing any work that day, we all just watched the tv.

I don't think America is any safer. If we aren't getting attacked by air we are still getting flooded with illegal immigrants. We have threats on the inside - people that are willing to 'sell out' to another country or religion and attack America. Terrorist aside, we've had an increase in school shootings and kidnappings....if my kid can't walk a few blocks to school without being in danger then no America is not safe.

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Feb 10 at 2015 7:37 AM

MSgt Jim Pollock — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 07:37:16 -0500

I was the NCOIC on a C-5 load training mission to MCAS Miramar, CA. We were billeted off base, and scheduled for an early morning alert to fly the aircraft back to Travis AFB. On a typical mission the command post alerts the aircraft commander and then he or she calls the NCOIC to alert the rest of the crew. Not that morning. The AC called me at our expected alert time, but rather than the usual alert speech, he asked if my TV was on. I told him no. He said not to turn it on, gather the enlisted crew with their bags and meet in the lobby...our mission has changed and we need to move on base immediately.

The lobby was full of guests gaping at the TV. Our crew knew we were going to get really busy, really fast.

We raced back to Miramar, fueled the aircraft to make any destination in CONUS, hot cocked it for an alert start and sat tight in billeting. No one knew if or where another attack would occur, so there was heavy debate regarding where to send us. We were eventually alerted to an undisclosed destination well after the national airspace stand down. It was surreal. We took off and ATC cleared us direct to our destination--that NEVER happens under ordinary circumstances. The only chatter on the radio was police/fire helicopters and other military aircraft. Strangest experience of my life.

On most missions, once the aircraft gets to cruising altitude, there's usually some banter or small talk among the crew. Not on that mission. I don't think a non-checklist word was spoken the entire flight. Like everyone else in the country, we knew our lives just changed in dramatic fashion.

As far as the second part, I'm not sure we're safer, but we're certainly more aware. Thinking back to what air travel was like pre-9/11, its amazing to me how complacent (and blissfully naive) we were. Unfortunately, I don't feel much safer just because TSA gives me a cavity search every time I visit grandma. Homeland Security can make it tougher on the bad guys, but it's futile to think they can lock down our entire country. I can think of numerous ways to attack our country that would be just as impactful as 9/11 using some other means than aircraft. 9/11 exposed our vulnerability to unconventional attack, and so I suspect some crafty terrorist will eventually find another soft spot to exploit. It's analogous to earthquakes or tornadoes in my mind. I don't lose sleep over them, but I know that eventually they'll inject tragedy into someone's life. Its just an unfortunate part of modern life.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 8:38 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:38:26 -0500

Was a Sophomore in high school walking into English class. I found it odd that the radio was on via the computer/speaker system and at the time there was a lot of confusion as to what happened. This would have been right after the second plane hit as we were central time. Then came the stream of reports of a bomb at the Pentagon, bomb at the state department etc etc. After it became apparent that this was not an accident everyone just walked out the classroom and gathered in the AV rooms to watch TV. Memories of people trying to figure out "what those things were falling from the building" tends to stick in my brain.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Feb 10 at 2015 9:29 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 09:29:01 -0500

I was enjoying the last day of a "cycle break" as a PLDC SGL (Instructor) at Ft. Stewart. I had just poured my first cup of coffee that morning and turned on Fox as I did on all my days off to catch up on events. The first jet had already hit and no one was exactly sure of what had happened until I watched as the second jet hit, then I and everyone else knew what had taken place. The next day we picked up a new class and for the first 2 weeks of the cycle the students manned a checkpoint at night on the road leading to PLDC as we were close to 17 miles from the main post of Ft. Stewart, during the day it was manned by the MPs.
I felt we were safer for about the first 10 years or so after the event happened, because we were at war against the terrorists around the world and everyone knew it; today I feel we are less safe due to the actions of the current administration in their inability to even utter the words Islamic Extremists/Islamic Terrorists and the manner in which we as a nation have apparently ceded our position as the world's lone superpower because the administration feels that WE are the cause of the situation we are in and refuse to accept that we are EXCEPTIONAL and that we are still at WAR with terrorists the world over. Until WE acknowledge this fact and act appropriately, we allow ourselves to be weakened in the eyes of our allies and there will continue to be distrust amongst our allies as to whether they can count on us when/if they need our assistance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 9:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 09:47:39 -0500

I was skipping school and I was busted when my mom came to pick me up... I was a Freshmen in High School

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 12:40 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:40:36 -0500

I was an MM2 on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) doing work ups in the JAX OPAREA. We steamed as fast as we could all night to be in sight of New York by the next morning. Personally, I had just stopped by the TV in berthing in time to watch the second plane hit on my way 1MMR to take the watch.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 12:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:46:29 -0500

I was at basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO during 9-11. Us privates were conducting barracks maitenance. All of the DS cadre were downstairs in the day room watching the events happen on TV. Strangely, we didn't hear any overhead planes flying and no cadences being called.

A private yelled down the hall what happended that the pentagon was hit. We had our doubts until we plugged the cable into the TV in our area. That was a day that really hit home for me how dangerous the world is, and how important it is to protect this country.

Response by PO2 Todd Voge made Feb 10 at 2015 3:33 PM

PO2 Todd Voge — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 15:33:44 -0500

We had spent that previous weekend moving our company from downtown Minneapolis to Mendota Heights (about 15 miles away). Monday the 10th we spent getting all set up. Just an aside, the new office is right on the flight path to MSP airport. We had planes flying over constantly.

Tuesday the 11th, the first day of business in our new office, I was on the way there (I live about 40 minutes south) and I was listening to the radio and heard about the first tower being hit. Didn't think much of it as it didn't sound that bad. Got to the office and turned on the television. All hell was breaking loose. We heard about the ground stop and the grounding of all flights. We watched for about an hour as plane after plane landed at MSP. And then, nothing. It was the most eerie feeling I've ever had. We had coworkers from CA that were supposed to leave on Wednesday the 12th to head back. They ended up renting a car later in the week and driving back home.

Watching those towers come down, was the most surreal feeling. Seeing the heroism of the people in NYC and Washington that day was awe-inspiring. And the sacrifice made by those on the flight in Shanksville, giving their lives to save countless others, really says a lot.

We were right to head into Afghanistan in 2001 and bomb the snot out of them. The rest, well, history will be the judge.

I can say, though, that I'm glad we had G.W. Bush in charge instead of our current President. I'm not sure the response would have been adequate.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Feb 10 at 2015 10:44 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:44:05 -0500

I believe we are safer because we are more alert. Our alertness, though seems at times to falter. Not by our military, but by the politicians and bureaucrats who make policy.

As to what I was doing on that day: I was at work with the Southfield, MI Fire department. we had just lit (a soon to be torn down) high rise hotel on fire to train on effective means of extinguishing it. We heard about the first plane 3rd hand and just assumed it was a small general aviation plane. Just as the training fire took hold, we received a call for a REAL high rise fire in an apartment building at the opposite end of the city. Once we extinguished the apartment fire, one of the Fire inspectors told us a second plane had hit the other tower.... I knew right then we were dealing with terrorism. After putting our selves, our trucks and our gear back in service we returned to our Station to see the replay of the towers falling. I knew much of our world, and our worldview would change because of this terrible act, and only a few years later my National Guard LRS unit was activated and served a tour in Iraq (OIF II)

Response by SGT Tim Crawford made Feb 10 at 2015 11:48 PM

SGT Tim Crawford — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:48:05 -0500

I was in class at work. I saw the breaking news and said we were under attack. My class believed that i was over reacting. but as the day rolled on the truth was all over the air waives.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 12:09 AM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:09:43 -0500

I was in 1st grade and be lying if I said I could remember much of it. All i know is from what my family tells me.

As for how we are now, I am shipping out for 11b OSUT in a few days and since enlisting I am constantly getting warnings from my family about what to watch out for (all of them military). Before 9/11 they were more in the shadows compared to now, it wasn't that they weren't there it was that they weren't in the open where now they are all over the media. They don't care about life and want us to see it so they will do anything to get that spotlight. By putting their actions in the spotlight in our news we fuel their actions which puts us in a more dangerous position and they push further and further to continue getting the recognition they seek

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 12:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 12:59:02 -0500

I was in 8th grade science class. History teacher came in and turned our news on, and I watched the second plane impact with tower 2. Still to this day, one of the craziest things I've seen.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Feb 11 at 2015 1:07 PM

CSM Michael Lynch — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 13:07:29 -0500

I was in SLC, UT and just getting my boots as I had my left one on and saw the news of the first plane I though OMG that didn't just happen and listened to the rest of the news cast as I put on my other boot and saw when the second one struck. I knew then and there this was no accident. I headed over to one of my recruiting stations as the calls came in from our command to lock down our stations and recruiters. We hooked up a TV and listened as the news came in from across the nation.

I don't think there was any Soldier in our company that were so proud to be serving and wearing a uniform that day. Of course we were all dealing with calls to/from family and friends back and forth checking on everyone and our fellow brothers and sisters in arms nationwide.

We knew we heading to war and everyone was gearing to go and do their part. It is a day I know I will never forget where I was and who I was with the whole day

Response by CPL Hayward Johnson made Feb 11 at 2015 5:23 PM

CPL Hayward Johnson — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:23:59 -0500

I was on a flight from Korea back stateside and landed in Alaska. Was there for 3days and thought to myself...should I go to Fort wainwright and reprt for duty

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 5:26 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:26:22 -0500

Someone please vote this post up or add a story to keep it going.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 7:32 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 07:32:13 -0500

I was on my way to my first class my freshman year at college. I saw 50 or so guys watching the small tv at the end of the hall. Didn't know what was going on so I went downstairs and there were 100--150 in the lobby watching tv. I asked what was going on. I stayed for a few then went to my class. I still remember looking up to the sky everytime I heard a plane when all air traffic was grounded.

Response by Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP made Feb 12 at 2015 8:19 AM

Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 08:19:58 -0500

I was at my desk in the Pentagon, Room 5C279.

Ya, pretty crazy day. We had heard about the first plane and were surfing news sites trying to find one that would respond. We didn't have live TV in that office, so we didn't see the second plane hit, but saw it pop up on the news alerts. I don't recall clearly how much time elapsed, but shortly thereafter we all felt the building shudder. I remember saying out loud, "On a day people are driving airplanes into buildings - that was not a good feeling." The alarms started maybe 20 seconds later.

We evacuated via corridor 3 with the smell of JP-8 very clear in the air. Once outside, the smoke was billowing and the smell of fuel was significantly more intense. We rallied up in our designated area and, after verifying accountability and being told by LE that they didn't need any help/volunteers, looked around at 15K people milling about the parking lot next to an interstate and told our folks to disperse and stay in contact to the best of their ability. All cell service was down at this point - or, at least was so busy I never got a dial tone. I went to the office of a contractor we were working with and tried to call my then-wife. No circuits. Tried for 20 minutes to no avail. Then tried my parents in MI and was able to get through. It was only then I realized people were worried about me as they both were emotional wondering if I was safe. I told them the lines were all busy here and for them to call around and let people know I was OK. Later, I learned this was how my then-wife found out I was OK...

I lived in Woodbridge, VA at the time - about 18 miles south of the Pentagon. It took a group of us about 6 hours to get back to our cars at the commuter lot through a combination of hitching rides, metro, and one guy driving 3 of us once he picked up his car. My keys were in my gym bag back at my desk, so the bud dropped me at my house - which was locked as my then-wife was at work. He drove me to the school where she worked and I was able to connect with her, get keys, etc.

Throughout the evening, I had perhaps 20 phone roster notifications go through (I didn't count, but it was a bunch). "Report for duty." "Do not report to the Pentagon." "Report for duty." Etc.... In the end, I reported for duty on the 12th. Really miserable day. The building was still on fire and the smell of fuel and smoke was overwhelming. Everybody I came into contact with complained of headaches and irritated/watery eyes.

I have no doubts that we are in the in-between period: the time between the last attack and the next attack. The more complacent we get, the more lives they are going to take.

Response by SFC Stephen Smithers made Feb 12 at 2015 8:31 AM

SFC Stephen Smithers — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 08:31:24 -0500

I was getting ready for a TDY trip to Hawaii. Turned on the TV and watched the 2nd plane hit the tower. Didn't make my trip and took 4 hours to get on Ft. Lewis.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 11:21 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 11:21:15 -0500

In July 2001 I PCS'd to Boise, ID to work with the 2-116 CAV BN as an Active Duty Advisor.
On September 11, 2001 I was on Temporary Duty in Post Falls, ID with the rest of my Battalion of Advisors (we worked with the 116th CAV Brigade out of Boise, ID with detachments spread across ID, MT, and OR) as we were having our semi-annual conference.
Being in the Pacific Time Zone, we were enjoying organized, team sport PT in a park starting at 0600. Driving to the park we all heard about the first plane hitting the WTC, and after 0700, driving back to our hotel, we heard about the second.
At the hotel, I turned on the TV to see what was happening. I quickly called my wife who was home in Boise (Mountain Time), pregnant with our first child. Her first words to me were, "Happy Anniversary!" (We were married on September 11, 1999.)
After I remembered to say the same to her, I told her about what was going on in NYC and DC. One of our most memorable anniversaries.
We cut short our off-site conference and all drove back to our detachment headquarters and quickly linked up with our IDARNG counterparts to determine their missions and how we could help them. Of course Noble Eagle was quickly started and we jumped right in.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 11:21 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 11:21:45 -0500

I was at KMart (yes, KMart). I found out as I was walking by the wall of TVs.

As for being safer: decidedly not. The actions we've taken have only made the situation worse. Taking away a stable (albeit brutal) dictatorship in Iraq, and replacing it with a mushy, sort-of elected government created the power vacuum that allowed ISIS to rise to prominence.

Similarly, Qaddaffi expressed an interest in giving up his WMD program and normalizing US-Libya relations...our response was air strikes in support of a group of rebels, removing another stable dictatorship and replacing it with a civil war...allowing ISIS yet another foothold.

Egypt, once a fairly dependable ally of the US, was subject to the same treatment, where the US turned on the government that had supported us against the will of the people in order to bring about a democracy...a democracy that immediately elected an anti-US group to power.

The US over the last 10 years or so seems to have been blinded to the reality by our idealism. We have forgotten that sometimes, a dictator friendly to your country is a better option than a democratically elected leader who hates your country. We've gutted the very secular dictatorships that once held organization like ISIS in check...granted, with brutal means, and often with human rights violations, but then, ISIS isn't exactly the poster child for human rights protection.

Further, we have created a bloated security theater system that makes a great show of security, but offers no real increased security to the populace.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 11:37 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 11:37:06 -0500

I like to ask this question when I want to make NCO's feel old, or whenever the topic comes up.

I was in 2nd grade at the time. I remember being excited that day as it was my younger cousins birthday. At first it started with an announcement for all the teachers to look at their email ASAP. After a few moments, the class was called to the rug we had in the room to sit on the floor with. That was when our teacher broke the news. I seem to recall the teacher asked if any of us had family that worked in the Towers or in NYC. Living just outside NYC in Yonkers their was a high chance of that. My class seemed lucky and I don't recall anyone losing any family.

I don't think many of us truly knew what had happened at that point. Classes were more or less cancelled as each one of us was picked up by our parents. Getting home my mother tried to the kids in the house away from the news stations, but we kept walking into the living room. Most of the cable stations and a few radio stations went out when the towers fell. The transmitters were mostly on top of the WTC.

It was an odd and surreal day for me as a young child. I still can't view 9/11 pictures, movies or documentaries without a lump in my throat.

That day changed a lot, for better or for worst I don't truly know. I was to young to know how secure things used to be.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 12 at 2015 11:53 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 11:53:02 -0500

When I found out what had happened, I had just arrived at the hangar where I worked at Campbell Army Airfield.
Are we safer? No. We're more paranoid.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 3:29 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:29:29 -0500

I was heading to work at Jamba Juice. I was in my 3rd year of college.

My story tends to be a little different, in terms of my reaction and thought processes at the time. My mom had died 9 months prior, when she was 51 and I was 20. I was very desensitized as a result, having just lost one of the most important people in my life. It seemed very "welcome to the club" at the time, in terms of grief and the senseless loss of a loved one.

Response by Pvt Richard Hy made Feb 12 at 2015 7:53 PM

Pvt Richard Hy — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 19:53:56 -0500

I was working on a remodeling job of the Fredonia ,NY school district. Heard thru the grapevine from radio interruptions. At lunch time I went to a church down the street where several area residents had gathered to pray...... My daughter was currently in the midst of Army basic training.....

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 10:42 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 22:42:54 -0500

I was eating cereal on my parents' couch. I watched the whole thing on the news. I had enlisted in the Navy 3 weeks prior. That was an eye opener.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 4:36 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:36:54 -0500

Have the majority of people forgotten? Should footage be replayed unedited next anniversary to remind us? So far the history channel is the only one to come close.

Warning actual footage of people choosing to jump rather than be burn alive.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePN5ugXhwVw

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 4:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:46:19 -0500

I will try to keep this 9-11 all under the same post.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 4:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:47:43 -0500

Concern that we are begining to forget or are we just moving on?
http://www.dailydot.com/opinion/why-the-internet-forgot-september-11/

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 10:50 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 22:50:28 -0500

I had just gotten home from school and was watching it on the television clieless as to what was going on at thw time and it breaks my heart everytime I hear,see or think about it. You will never be forgotten

Response by SGT Jason Rockhold made Feb 13 at 2015 10:57 PM

SGT Jason Rockhold — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 22:57:24 -0500

I was a freshman at Georgia perimeter college in Atlanta before I went to Georgia tech and was 1 month out of active duty as an 11b2v ranger team leader. I saw a middle eastern man clapping at the tv when the towers were hit. I subdued him and he was arrested. I then got a page saying "raging bull" which meant I was activated back to my LRRP unit in the 121st national guard. I will never forget the feeling!

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Feb 13 at 2015 11:07 PM

SGT Francis Wright — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 23:07:22 -0500

I was working Administration Segregation for TDCJ in Kenedy TX. The way I found out about it was by the Offenders; I thought those guys were feeding me a line of bull.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 12:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:11:27 -0500

I was finding out that I was facing a layoff from my civilian job.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Feb 14 at 2015 12:29 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:29:09 -0500

I was driving to work when the announced it over the radio. They only said plane. Not how big, what plane or the damage initially. I recalled the image of the private plane the flew into the Empire State Building by accident. I said to my self "stupid private pilots". Some people shouldn't be allowed to fly.

When I got to work they announced it again (not saying it was a different plane or any details). I thought "old news, already know". Finally my boss walks back and pulls up the internet with video and crap it hit me.

We then get called to an all hands meeting. And it was announced to everybody who didn't hear, which was most. The word war came up and all heads looked at me. "Don't look at me, my discharge was finalized 10 days ago". It almost made me go back and try to rejoin.

They then sent us all home for the day.

Response by SGT Alan Simmons made Feb 14 at 2015 12:48 AM

SGT Alan Simmons — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:48:20 -0500

I was there on the 82nd floor of 1WTC. I will never forget.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 12:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 00:56:17 -0500

I was in a 5th grade history class when the teacher came in. I remember not seeing my mother because she is a Dispatcher and was at the police station all night. If you ever here about the man who rode the stairs down while the towers came down, that man was from the town she dispatched in. At that age I told my mother I wanted to join. And now here I am.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 1:09 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 01:09:43 -0500

I was 5 and at an airport in Michigan getting ready to fly to Minnesota on vacation, when they canceled it idk what was going on. My mom later told me what we were doing that day when it happened.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 8:20 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 20:20:27 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 9:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 21:13:42 -0500

I was at BNCOC in Huachucha. We'd just finished CC and split into group training. We were staging for an INSCOM COC ceremony that morning and didn't know the extent of what happened but during the ceremony the number of empty chairs for visiting flag officers grew with each minute as they were pulled for emergency briefings. Every speaker kept it short, prefacing their remarks with 'in light of today's events'...(the outgoing cdr just HAD to read his entire speech), till finally it was pass and review. We marched off and were put on lockdown in Wilson barracks watching it unfold the rest of the day on tv. My best friend was at the Pentagon. It took three of the longest days to find out that she and her hubby were accounted for and safe. I'd reupped for the last time in 2000 and planned to get out at the end of that tour but that day changed everything. I gave 11 more years and most of myself before retiringin 2012. We are less safe because our country became very reactionary afterwards. We overreact after events and it gives us a false sense of security. Years have passed and the country's attention span has shortened to the point where scant attention is paid to those of us still dowrange or lip service given to the ones whose fight is finally over. Instead, coverage of a mass shooting is supplanted the next day by the latest hollywood scandal or divorce, little wonder why we, as a country, think that every measure enacted after a security failure can fully protect us again.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 11:10 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 23:10:54 -0500

Is another attack pending?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2017 11:13 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:13:33 -0400

1. Not to make anyone feel old, but I was sitting in reading class in 8th grade when the P.E. teacher came in and the reading teacher at first thought he was being set up for a joke. I was sent to the Library and told to report back with what was going on. Many trips back and fourth that day.
2. No we are not safer, people post too much stuff on social media and need to get their panties out of the wad.

Response by SFC Ed C. made Aug 17 at 2017 11:55 AM

SFC Ed C. — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:55:56 -0400

I was working as a Readiness NCO (AGR tour) for the PA Army National Guard. I was in my office when one of my soldiers called me and told me to turn on the TV. When I did , I saw the second plane hit the tower. Horrifying to say the least. Couldn't believe what I was seeing at first. Then the call came in from higher HQ. Lock down and await further orders.

Response by SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood made Aug 17 at 2017 12:25 PM

SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:25:13 -0400

i was on my way to work when the first plane hit and when i got to work the second plane hit,work was very somber that day,a lot of our patients cancelled that day and for some time i felt numb,i called my specialty branch in D.C. and requested to be placed back on active duty if there was a need for my MOS. to this day it still tears me apart to remember what happened that day.

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Aug 17 at 2017 12:38 PM

AA Joseph Moody — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:38:11 -0400

I was living in the sticks in Pa helping my parents out after my mother had a stroke. My dad was a road driver at the time and was up in the city when that happened with the run rout he was on, and aside from that I did not do much that day, at the time about half of my income came from doing odd jobs, landscaping and stuff like that, and...it was not the time to go knocking on doors.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Sep 12 at 2019 1:39 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 01:39:57 -0400

I will NEVER forget 9/11! I pay tribute every year by watching the History Channel all day! (That’s why I haven’t been very interactive on RP on 9/11).
On that beautiful morning 18 years ago, I was teaching Special Needs pre-K on bade at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville NC. I was into our morning routine when another teacher informed me of what had happened. I was in shock; however I HAD to remain calm and proceed as normally as possible. The kids in my special needs class varied with physical conditions requiring nurse checks every hour to moderate autism and everything else in between. These kids are extremely sensitive and I HAD to maintain my composure even though I was frightened, worried, extremely sad, confused, angry, and definitely upset. I was born in upstate NY and lived on Long Island for two years. I went into the ‘city’ almost every Saturday with my mother when we didn’t go to TOBAY beach. I was there when the Towers were being planned and being constructed. They were as much a part of NYC as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty and they were now gone... My brother (a business man) was entourage to JFK from Greensboro. He was going from NYC to LAX. I managed to make it through the morning class remaining calm and acting ‘normal’ . My students depend upon routine and a calm and caring teacher. I had to stay strong. When the morning class ended at noon I took my lunch break. I walked them out to their buses and rides and went to my car. I turned on the radio and called my mom to make sure my brother was okay. Luckily his plane had been ground d in Virginia and he was okay. I cried for my thirty minute lunch break, chain-smoked cigarettes in my car; then I composed myself for the afternoon class. I was numb! But I carried on our regular routine. I managed to complete the day and took the kids to their buses and rides home-all with a smile and normal routines. When school was dismissed, I started my ten minute drive home. Driving through Base to the front gate was surreal! ALL units on Base were armed and ready to ‘rock & roll’! The front gates were armed with tanks, howlitzets, and at least thirty MP’s and two to three squads. 2nd Force Recon we’re loading up and getting ready to deploy if necessary. I felt like I was having a nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. It took me an hour to get home and I only live 5 miles from Base. NRAS and Cherry Point were scrambled and ready to go. I got home and my 15 year old daughter was in a trance watching the horrific event on TV. She was REALLY scared! She kept asking me if the Base was going to be attacked. I had no answers. We lived five miles east of Camp LeJeune, fifteen miles from NRAS, and about thirty minutes from Cherry Point. I tried to reassure her we were safe, but I really didn’t know if we were safe. I prayed and cried the rest of the afternoon and until I finally fell asleep from total emotional exhaustion. I have NEVER been that afraid. That scared me more than the ‘Cold War’ air Raids that terrified me when I was 5,6,7 years old. I cried for days to come and my ten minute drive to school on Base took me and everyone else over an hour because the MP’s at the main gate were thoroughly checking cars. They had the bomb dogs inspecting cars. I think my Dad lost some friends who worked in the Trade Towers, but he never discussed it with me. I WILL NEVER forget 9/11 and ALL those innocent people and First Responders who were killed by ruthless terrorists! THAT day will remain with me forever! I honor those who died that day every year and spend the day watching all the events that transpired on 9/11. I cry every year and whenever I’m thinking about 9/11! I went to NYC in 2003 and saw Ground Zero. I went to Fire Station 10 and paid my respects to all those whose lives were taken by radical terrorists! I WILL NEVER FORGET!!! God bless the survivors, the families who lost their loved ones, and our heroic First Responders!!! God Bless America!!! Nancy

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 12 at 2019 3:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 15:05:45 -0400

I think we have to define are "we" safer today? Isis is starting to go global by piggy backing on Muslim insurgencies around the world.