Where were you during 9/11? What has changed in 20 years?

I was in the courthouse getting my marriage license. They had a tv playing and No one knew what was going on. So we left and caught the second plane hitting the building

(Old retired guy's perspective) I was working for an international management consulting firm after I retired and on 9/11 I was sitting on a plane waiting to take off to Memphis Tennessee to visit a client. Just before take off the pilot announced we had to return to the gate. We were directed to deplane and we would be given more information later. I went to the airline's club to sit and do some work when I saw the TV screen. It was chilling to say the least.

I was stationed at Pope AFB, NC assigned to the 18 Air Support Operations Group. It was my 3rd week being assigned there. I turned on the TV in the Office, just to see the second plane hit the tower. After that it was "game on" for preparation for deployments.

I was in Basic Training in Ft. Knox at the range.

I was at work in my home office and I had the TV off.
I got a call from a friend who told me about it.
I then turned on the TV.....for the rest of the day.

I was at Camp Red Cloud,Korea,it was early in the morning(1:00-1:30am) I went to bathroom and afterwards turned on TV,I thought it was a movie at first,then they flashed the breaking news banner across the screen,that's when I knew this is for real.And of course the sirens on post went off and we were on lockdown and pulling guard duty.

I was at Hill AFB, UT processing supply requests when an airman from another office ran by and told us. Next thing we knew we were watching the TV for updates.

I was in Kuwait , out at the Kubal

I was in Baumholder Germany working on my "Hum-V" changing it from a 2 door to a 4 door and we were just about to hold COB. They put us on lock down and we were "lucky" to watch all the idiot reporters back home blowing smoke out their butts having no clue what they were talking about,nor have they ever since. My favorite was the dummy who said, "All U.S. forces in Europe are standing guard with full gear and weapons". While I was standing there in my barracks room in pajamas and slippers sippin on some chocolate... smh.

I was in 5th grade computer class. A teacher came in, and asked if anyone had relatives working in the towers, a few of is raised our hands, and a few minutes later we were taken from class and our parents came to get us. In the mean time we asked why she was wondering, and our teacher said "maybe they're planning a field trip" which looking back is kind of funny. My dad was working on the 103rd floor of the north tower as an electrician at the time with local union #3. By the time I got home both towers had fallen, and I couldn't get in touch with him. Turns out he was off that day getting knee surgery in NJ that's the main reason I joined the Army. Thank god for my dad's bad knees haha.