In the late 90s I spent a lot of time in New York State as an adviser to the Environment and Conservation Services as an adviser on exchange from the UK government working on a Lake Ontario Project, my time divided between NYC and the Project office in Watertown up on Lake Ontario.
NY State became my adopted home for a while and NYC was just by USA standards a short 4 hour drive away I became very fond of that city and my friends I made there on our weekends off.
In September 11 2001 I was on Vacation in Spain in a little town called Nerjsa on the Mediterranean. When I got up that day and turned on Sky news the world had changed forever. I initially thought I was watching a disaster Movie, then with a cold chill I released this was the real deal.
My buddies and I like most people I know sat engrossed and unbelieving for the rest of the day as the terrible events unfolded. A day I will never forget for the rest of my life.
When I got back to England the first thing I did was order a ticket to fly to New Youk the following March determined to give my own little 2 fingers up to the terrorists who had perpetrated thsi foul deed.
In fact I Made a pilgrimage to NY for several years after and was lucky enough to be in NY when the Globe From outside the World Trade Center was set up in Battery Park as a temporary Memorial to the Fallen, I watched Rudy Giuliani and many other people make speeched and dedicate the Memorial. It became a very special place for me and I try and remember it every year at this time.
I am sorry this was a little long winded here is my Picture and a Video I made way back when "Where were you?
I'll never forget this day or the emotions that swept through me. I was at work....the whole world stood still...there was an eerie silence as the tears fell.
ReplyDeleteI have plans for shots today. Calling on some friends to help me out. At least thats the plan. Wonderful post Baz.
Thanks Linda xx;)Have a wonderful day thanks for the visit;)
Deletepowerful post, very timely...I don't know why can only reply by replying to one of your comments *sigh*
DeleteThats good enough for me thanks D;)
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ReplyDeleteWe will never forget it. Your time there will live in your memory as well. Ty :)
ReplyDeleteIt does sweetheart it does;) xxxx
DeleteI was at work when my boss came into my office and told me a plane crashed into the Twin Towers. We had no idea then that it was anything other than an accident. We had a TV in the board room, so we all went in to watch the news. When we saw the second plane hit the Towers, and then heard of the hijacking over Pennsylvania and the crash at the Pentagon, we knew we were under attack. A few of my friends called me and asked me to pray for their children, sister, brother, son-in-law, all of whom worked at the towers. The day was a nightmare. I came home and walked to the beach and just stood there watching the towers burn. All boats were out of the marina, ferrying people back to NJ from NY. The only way off Manhattan Island was by boat. The private boat owners and captains of the fishing boats and ferries are unsung heroes. When it was all over, 32 people from my town were killed that day. Now who's long-winded? Sorry, Baz
DeleteJoanne, I would be happy if you used twice as many words to tell that story, in fact the boat owners story did get told here in the UK, I remember a BBC film crew were in Jersey at the time and did a short documentary on the evacuation, its very moving to hear your first hand experience, thanks for contributing to the post;)
DeleteThanks, Baz. One correction to my comment - there were 37 from my town killed that day, not 32. And for my friends that called, none of their family members made it out. The most heart-wrenching one was my friend Susan, who called me a few days later and told me that in her mind, she had put her son Jason across the street from the towers and that he was safe. Sadly, that wasn't reality.
DeleteOn this day, 2011 I was a mental wreck, had been all summer. By orders of a Texas Ranger I was headed to therapy because of the mental stress caused by the death of my late husband who was a deputy sheriff killed in the line of duty on father's day that year. I was just passing Pantex Plant, A USA nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility near Amarillo, Texas when the news came on the radio. Not exactly the place to be in a national emergency, especially in my state of mind at that time. Hind site says I shouldn't have even been alone, much less driving a vehicle.
ReplyDeleteI made that first therapy session. Wal-Mart and other stores were doing a shut down and so was the Mall that I went to after the session. I was to meet a store owner friend (and daughter's employer) who wished to purchase some of my late husband's guns. I went to their home and we watched things on TV still in shock about what had happened that day; then I made the 2 1/2 hour trip back home.
This morning those memories kept coming back as I sat in a court house as I had a jury summons. Ceremonies on TV in the room before the proceedings stated. The judge excused me from jury duty after a short private conversation (he had asked if anyone needed to speak to him about things other than the normal excuses from duty; I appreciated the privacy he allowed). I think it would have been hard to concentrate on the trial with flash backs from 9-11 in my mind.
Your post is a very good one. Thanks for posting this. Joanne, I'm being long winded too. I think we all have a story from that day. Sometimes we just need to tell it, more for our self than for others to hear or read. I'd better his publish before I change my mind and delete this comment.
I am, glad you decided to keep the contribution Lynda a very moving story thanks
DeleteI was at home watching the news, in shock. Thank you for this blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment
DeleteI remember I was at work that day. The radio was on, as usual, and news reports started coming in of the first aircraft hitting the North Tower. Like many people, we thought it was an accident of some kind. Then reports of the second hit came through, we all went down to the lunchroom and put on the TV and watched the rest of the events unfolding. No work was done that day. I remember the silence more than anything. The only sound came from the TV. We were all too shocked to say much. Those images are seared into our memories forever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mitch for your memories
DeleteNobody can ever forget that tragic 9/11. I remember it very well. I was in office when my Boss called me to watch on tv what was happening. Hardly could I believe those images... like a movie of terror..
ReplyDeleteThanks Belita
Deletea fitting tribute my brother and this is one event that stamps our heart with a timeline..thank you
ReplyDeleteAmen Brother Amen
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