Everybody has their own story for September 11, 2001. Certain events burn into the collective consciousness. I remember relatives talking about where they were when Kennedy was shot; others about John Lennon or Ronald Reagan.
My first experience of that kind was the space shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. Was nothing like what happened on a Tuesday morning in September, in the year 2001.
Started out as a normal Tuesday. Nice clear day. I was working shift operations at the time, so was off until Thursday. Was getting ready to go do some errands – run to the grocery store; and planning on stopping at the flower shop at some point.
On my way out or maybe in the car, I remember hearing on the radio news about a plane flying into the World Trade Center. The announcers sounded like it was a small plane, maybe a private or commuter plane. I remember them speculating maybe it was an accident, and talking about planes hitting the Empire State Building before.
I went on my way not thinking too much about it. A little while later I stopped at the flower shop. Was buying some flowers to have delivered to my recently ex-girlfriend (it was a complicated relationship), who had just had her tonsils removed.
The ladies in the shop had on the radio and were talking about how a second plane had just flew into the World Trade Center. That’s when I knew for sure it was no accident. Everyone in the store talking, wondering what was going on. I decided to get home immediately.
Turned on the TV, where I sat for the next 30 or more hours, well into Wednesday afternoon, barely sleeping that night, fearing I would miss something, some piece of evidence, or Breaking News as to what was happening.
Not long after I got home I saw the first tower fall, then the second. For some reason I thought I should call my brother. He doesn’t watch much TV, and doesn’t keep up with current events, but I felt this was something he should know. By this time the world knew this was a major terrorist act. America was under attack now, and at the time we all had no idea what was going on, or what may So I called.
Unusual for him to answer, but he did. I told him to turn on his TV.
“Why?” he said.
“Because. You know the World Trade Center? In New York?” I asked, barely keeping it together.
“Yes, why?”
“It’s gone.” my voice cracking.
“Huh? What do you mean it’s gone?” his voice sounded both fearful and in disbelief.
“Turn on the TV” now sobbing, “I have to go.”
