9/11: where were you when you first heard the initial reports?

[thinkingdog]

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 is just around the corner and it made me think of where I was on that infamous day...

I usually listened to news radio on the way into work, but this day I had a medical appointment first thing. I didn't have an inkling of what happened that morning until I went in to see my doctor who basically said, "That's some crazy stuff happening in New York this morning" and just giving me the preliminary reports of an airplane crashing into the WTC.

I went into work after that and started seeing some of the video on the CNN website. That day was just surreal...watching the news reports on TV that night, seeing those planes disappear into those buildings, the towers collapsing, all of those lost lives...

I'll never forget that day.

Where were you when you first heard?

[smooth53_98]

I was at work. We were all busy, but my plumbing guy had a radio on low and actually had one of those old like 4" tv screens and we watched the second tower get hit on that. Both him and myself were active volunteer firefighters at the time in different towns, but my town was called in for mutal aid to cover firehouses up in Rutherford. Despite being on the medical inactive list, I reported in for duty anyway... I ended up spending about three days straight in the FD kitchen making meals to send to guys rotating out of NYC and finally got cleared to go and cover a couple of tours where we were covering. Getting to talk with the guys rotating out of NYC was heart wrenching.

I lost a couple of college classmates/friends that were on FDNY that day and generally still have an eerie feeling when I have to go into NYC for meetings for work.

I have seen a lot of shit in my 10 years as a firefighter on two departments - burn victims, accident victims at extrications, etc.; but nothing mentally prepares you for the losing your 'brothers' like that.

[tjntaco]

Everyone that was alive when Kennedy was shot remembers where they were when they heard about it. Our generation has 9/11. I know I'll never forget it. I was remodelling a school in Glendale, AZ. My girlfriend called me and said we were going to war or something. I went to the school office and the school administration people were all watching the plane burning inside the first tower. Just then the second plane hit the other tower. I'll never forget that. Definitely surreal.
I still believe with all my heart that there should have been an anti terrorist tv commercial. It would show the towers burning, then say "Later that day" then it would show a mushroom cloud over Afghanistan. But I'm not the president, so that didn't happen. I'm afraid in 20 years we're gonna look back and say, "That was where we screwed up. That was the beginning of the decline of America. Pass me the rice and a chopstick, would ya?"

[revnecro1273]

asleep...my mom comes in saying we are being attacked...was like wtf...went back to sleep

[The Nac]

I was alseep. My friend called me and said they all left school after they heard and half of them were out drinking because we figured if anyone was stupid enough to attack the States, it must be World War 3!

Needless to say, that got me up.

[Victor]

Was driving to my mother and father in laws home on highway 385. 9-11 is my wife's birthday and we were going to surprise them with a visit. We almost turned back when we heard of the tragedy, but kept on driving. The mood was very somber when we arrived.

[walk066]

I was in the shower listening to the radio, but was tired and didn't realize it for a while. Then I watched the second plane hit and left for school. Got through like a half of period and then everyone went out to the lobby to watch what was going on. At that point, they sent everyone home.

[Chris46139]

was driving to work, Stern broke the news to me

[secondbase]

we also had a TV at work and saw the second one hit, the buildings collapse, etc.

Since I live in Omaha, George W was sent here and AF ! actually flew right over our building on his way back to DC. Many of us happened to be outside and gave the " Go get em George " verbage.

I had a golf outing the next day about 120 miles away and they were not sure if it was still going to be played, but I headed out and drove that 120 miles anyway, around 7 pm that night .

I met ONE car between Omaha and my hometown ...120 miles and one car.. Of course I was keeping up with the radio.

[WildKat]

First day of substitute teaching 3rd grade.....The assistant called me to the door and said there had been a plane crash in NY...I figured it was a small plane, and wished she would quit bothering me as I couldnt think straight anyway....When she came in the second time, I knew something was wrong......and it was killing me to sit there and not watch the coverage as it happened....shortly afterwards, the office started calling for kids to be sent to the office because their parents were there to pick them up.

[Boris Karloff]

asleep as well...my mother called me and said to watch cnn and call back to let her know what i think.

I was sleepy so I came up with 60% terrorist attack theory. The moment the second plane hit that changed to 100%.

Didn't work for the next three days...I was glued on cnn.

[jbrent95]

I was watching fox news after a jog.

[Patriots Game]

At work when my cousin from England emailed me. We worked in the financial district in respective countries. She was told to go home. O broke the news to our deparent while watching CNN online when the 2nd plane hit. I will never forget those images of people jumping out. Rest their souls. Shortly after, our building was told to evacuate.

[ParrotHead]

8th Grade Gym class, pretty much leaving the class heard it announced. Went to the next class and it was plastered all over the TV. Had no idea the significance of what was going on besides planes smashing in to buildings. Every one had CNN on that day and you could never forget them just continuing to show every thing.

Had a buddy that was enlisted in the Navy a few months before that happened and he was getting ready to leave.

An unreal day, even being younger will always remember it

[snapdad]

I was asleep, my mom came home and woke me up saying we were under attack.