[CTSLICK]

I simply ask that you never forget, never quit demanding answers, never quit trying to make things better.

[CTSLICK]

I simply ask that you never forget, never quit demanding answers, never quit trying to make things better.

[Jason Dunn]

They say every generation has an event that they'll always remember, and unfortunately it's usually a tragic one. 9/11 is it for me. I can still remember waking to the news on the radio, not believing what I was hearing, and rushing into my living room to turn on the TV. I called Ashley and told her to turn on the TV, and we both sat on the phone in shocked silence. There were really no words to describe what we were seeing.

I have vague memories of other tragic events that happened when I was much younger (Space shuttle exploding, Princess Diana's accident) but this one is deeply burned into my mind because of the level of destruction, and simply how brutal it was.

The world is in sorry shape right now, I think in many ways much worse than it was in 2001. It's rather depressing when you think about it...I wonder when things will get better?

[CTSLICK]

Working at an airline it was a very personal experience. Maybe its because its been 5 years but this year in particular I just felt the need to play it all through it my head again. To try and remember it...to make sure I remember it. Its odd how clearly I remember that morning and that day, how fresh some of that pain is. It took several hours to gather it up. I decided to put something on my airline blog...strangely cathartic. "Pausing to Reflect on 9/11" if you care to read it.

I tend to share Jason's view...in some ways the world seems to have digressed since 9/11. But I try to hold on to the brights spots that came out of the tragedy...mostly the stunning outpouring of human spirit and cooperation that went into the recover effort. Sad that it takes a tragedy to evoke it...awesome that people can still make it happen.

[Brad Adrian]

CTSLICK, my heart goes out to you and everyone who has been very personally affected by the events of that horrible day.

I'm watching the real-time replays on TV, and it shows that the second tower collapsed around 10:23am, and by 11:00am MSNBC had an anti-terrorist expert on the phone, and he immediately said:

"This is Osama Bin Laden."

I can't help but be stunned by how immediately that conclusion was drawn.

This is very painful to watch, but for some reason I feel compelled to relive that day. I think it's because I want to remember it with as much clarity as possible; that's how I can keep those feelings of concern, compassion and vigilance alive.

[karen]

I also agree that the best we can do is not let the terrorist terroize us. That's what they want - billions of people around the world to live their lives in unreasonable fear.

I leave tomorrow morning for NYC, where I will be staying just off the WTC block. Three years ago I went on the 10th and stayed at the Hilton right on WTC, overlooking the rememberance activities. Next week I am off to Washington DC. I returned from the Middle East a few months ago and will be back there in January. All of this is business travel.

On 9-11 I was packing to go to NY when the first plane it - I was leaving home in the next hour, I thought. After the borders closed, I had to cancel my trip. But I knew I would be back to both DC and NYC on a regular basis.

I believe strongly that Zapata had it right when he said:

I would rather die on my feet than spend a lifetime on my knees.

Sure, travelling is risky, but I refuse to let these evil people, any evil people, cause me to skip living my life just so that I can breathe. My life is only valuable if I am actually living it.

My warmest thoughts go to all those who are still suffering from any terrorist attacks.

Karen

[Mitch D]

I remember waking up that morning to hear one of the DJ's on radio in tears, at first I thought some music artist had passed away. I went up stairs and turned on the TV just in time to watch the horror on the second plane strike. I can remember how quiet things where at work that day, how everyone was walking around in a total daze.

To me it will always be one of those "where were you when it happened?" moments.

My heart still goes out to all those who lost love ones that day, and many thanks to the men and woman in uniform in both Canada & the USA whom are now still fighting the good fight in Afganistan...

I will end this before I get off on one of my rants... :evil: :cry:

[Clinton Fitch]

As one who lost two friends in WTC 1 and one who was suppose to be in that building with them (I changed my schedule at the last minute and was in Orlando, not New York on 9/11/01), this day is especially hard personally. It was gut wrenching to watch then and seeing all of the coverage today is difficult to watch once again.

We often focus on those lost but imagine how many would have been lost if the FDNY did not do the amazing job they did that day? They saved a tremendous number of lives while losing many of their own.

Say hi to a firefighter today - and thank them for the job they do.

[Clinton Fitch]

Just to add to my previous post... Do all of you remember how disturbingly quiet it was by mid afternoon on 9/11/01 with no aircraft overhead?

That's another thing I never will forget.

[jickbahtech]

Man what a day.
I was working at a bagel shop in Albuquerque at the time. My Dad was supposed to be at the Pentagon, and my Uncle in the south tower. Neither were, but it took almost 3 days to get word. My joy and relief of course tempered by the fact that 3000 other people weren't so lucky.

I also probably wouldn't have met my wife. We were both grieving the same way, so we started talking after a candle light vigil. We spent the next 2 days skipping classes, getting kicked out of bars and village inn's, and we've been talking ever since.

Such a conflicting day...

[CTSLICK]

Originally Posted by clintonfitchdotcom

Just to add to my previous post...Do all of you remember how disturbingly quiet it was by mid afternoon on 9/11/01 with no aircraft overhead?...

Distinctly my friend...distinctly