I got into a discussion today with someone who lost a cousin in the South Tower. He didn't find out about his cousin for about a week afterwards. Anyway we spent some time discussing where we were at and what we were doing 5 years ago today.
I do find it remarkable that I actually remember. You see.. I have a horrible memory. I'm not kidding. I take notes with almost everything. Since google desktop was released I now make electronic notes and use it to search my various computers for my old notes.
I'm sure previous generations remember JFK, Pearl Harbor, the USS Maine, Custers Last Stand, Emancipation Proclamation, Fort Sumter (sp??),, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, etc...
So... Here was my 09/11/2001
I went into work unusually early that day. I recently rebuilt a major file server for work and had to finish up a few things before it went live later that afternoon. At about 08:50 I walk out of the server room and overhear some people talking about a plane hitting the WTC North Tower. I remember remarking that a B29 Liberator hit the Empire State Building in the late 40's or 50's due to fog. A co-worker noted that I know too much about lots of useless facts. I agreed and decided to step out for a smoke.
I go out for a smoke and get into the exact same discussion with someone in the smoking area. Finish up and head back up stairs and get a call from my wife. She's gives me the low-down on what was going on and we hang up.
It was 09:00.
We didn't have any radios or tv's in the office and the net news pages were already slow to load so I stand in my office door and tell a few people what was going down. By the time I finish, the phone rings. Michelle is calling me back to tell me she was watching it when another plane ran into the South Tower. I think I said something like, "What in the fuck are you talking about."
Some one at work brings in a radio they had in their car. About this time all sorts of crap starts getting reported. A whole bunch of planes, one near Pittsburgh. The city begins an evacuation of the taller buildings around the city. I work across the river from the city and see traffic starting to get heavy.
Shortly after the 3rd plane hits the Pentagon my wife calls and tells me. I think I said, "Holy shit! It's friggin go time. We're going to war."
It's reported on the radio that Westmoreland County 911 received phone calls from a plane in Western PA that was highjacked. People around the area are freaking out.
Michelle calls and stated the same thing about the 911 calls. I think she said, "You need to get home, I don't want you out in this crap." We weren't cleared to leave at the time.
Right about 10 AM we get cleared to leave work. As I get in my car and turn on the radio the dj says, "Oh my GOD, one of the towers just collapsed."
My car is almost out of gas and I stop about 1/2 mile from work and fill up. As I go into the store the TV reports a plane just crashed in Somerset County.
As I'm driving down through the southside all bridges into the city are closed to vehicle traffic except buses. The lanes are filled up with foot traffic. People are leaving the city on foot.
It took me about 35 minutes to get home. By that time the North Tower Collapses. Initial reports of casualties report up to 25,000 people could've died in the collapses. Man... thanks to the NYFD and NYPD for their work in getting people the hell out. Also, people like Rick Rescorla http://www.politicalmusings.net/archives/2005/09/11/remembering-9-11
I spent the entire day in awe and unable to stop watching the TV. I think there was one point where I may have actually cried. Which for me is a big deal. I don't cry often.
Man... what a day. I don't think I slept until the next day.
GOD bless all those that were directly impacted by that day and the ensuing trials our nation has faced since that time. Your all in my prayers on a daily basis.
Maybe tomorrow I'll post some of the nitty gritty on how this day affected me since that time. | 
