11 year anniversary of 9/11

[ToffeeDan]

I was on a plane, heading to Mexico - the way they fly to Mexico, is to fly over New York, then down the coast. We were about 1 hour outside of New York when it happened, we got turned around, and sent to Nova Scotia, Canada. We had no idea what had gone on, neither did the Captain, originally told it was a bomb in the world trade centre.
It was only after we'd landed that we became aware of what had actually happened.

Spent about 7 hours on the ground, in the plane, whilst the checked out who was on ours and about 100 other flights (we were lucky, we landed 4th. off the plane, taken to a university in a smallsih place called Halifax, Nova Scotia. We finally managed to ring home to let our folks know we were ok about 12 hours after the tragedy, spent the next few days watching news reports in shock.

We spent 3 days in Canada, and I'll never forget how amazing the people there are.

A colleague of mine was heading for NY & spent about 5 days in Canada in a gym somewhere. I was on the road with someone in the British Army. We heard the news on the radio of the first plane and his instant reaction was terrorist attack. Went home to watch the rest of the tradegy unfold.

 

[nigelcoyb]

At home in Worcestershire preparing for a meeting and SKY news was on.

The regular news was gradually interrupted with initial reports consisting of breaking up footage from beneath one of the towers - smoke pluming out and no recognisable commentary.

In the absence of clear info the SKY presentation was all very low key a slightly sniffy "wtf are the yanks up to now?" sorta way pervaded, so much so I changed me suit got the car out and pished off.

Staggered when I found out later that the smoke I'd seen was from a plane and another one had piled in later.

 

[gheesom]

A colleague of mine was heading for NY & spent about 5 days in Canada in a gym somewhere. I was on the road with someone in the British Army. We heard the news on the radio of the first plane and his instant reaction was terrorist attack. Went home to watch the rest of the tradegy unfold.

probably same place, gym in the Mount Saint Vincent Uni, in Halifax.
Asda supplied clean underwear/shaving kits/tooth brushes and toothpaste for everyone, McDonalds supplied breakfast.

They couldn't have been any better. Made me officially LOVE Canada forever.

 

[canuckblue]

Quite a contoversial thought, but how long is long enough? At what point do we stop? Also, what do we spend time thinking of, is it the people killed, or the act committed?

It really is a horrific thing, I was as appalled as the next person, but we dont see minutes of silence for the Tsunami, or the New Orleans hurricane (Katrina?) were I dont really see the difference, and the numbers lost were probably similar. We have rememberance Sunday as these people put their life in place of ours, they actually died/die for our futures.

Is there a point where we let the families grieve on their own and give them the space to do it in their own time.

To be just as controversial, the same questions can, for those of us not from Liverpool, be asked of Hillsborough. Both were horrific incidents, yet why every year is it relived to the extent they are while others aren't to anywhere near the same levels? They read out all the names again at Ground Zero today; I doubt there have been any additions since it happened, so was that really necessary? I don't think the families and friends of those who died have forgotten them.
As for why the Americans son't observe 7/7 the same way, I think the answer lies in the scale of the two. Nearly 3,000 died on 9/11, with tons of live footage making it even more grotesque. Far fewer died on 7/7, with none of it unfolding on live TV. And the victims on 9/11 came from all over the world, making it a far more global event. Remember, around 250 people died in the Madrid train station bombing, but quick, can anyone tell me the date without Googling it?

 

[toffeemax]

must of been 10 or so at the time, can't really remember it, parents telling me how big it was when it popped up on newsround.

 

[Del]

I was 21 and in Ayia Napa with 4 of my mates

I remember waking up at around 3pm and seeing a massive crowd around the pool watching the t.v at the bar, Went down to take a look and just stood there for hours in shock

Flew home about 3 days later and was put on 24 hour stand by to fly out to Afghanistan, Thankfully I never went

 

[Cena]

Nice 1 to the Americans on here sharing their stories.

Gripping reads on what was a horrific day

 

[Divver]

Second day on site at BP Hull for a 3 month job. Still there

 

[petebeard]

Sat at home aged 19. On the phone to my mate and he said are you watching this film? Turned the TV on and realised it was real. The news reporter said it was an accident. I said to my mate it wasn't an accident and about a 30 seconds later the second plane went in. just disgusting how little regard powerful people have for innocent lives.

 

[TX Bill]

Paranoia reigned that day. After a few hours had elapsed post Twin Towers falling the world just held its breath wondering when and where the retaliation was going to take place. I honestly thought the Yanks wouldn't hold back from launching a nuclear strike on a region they'd suspected was behind it. If a plane had got through and hit Capitol Hill I think the planet might look like a different place today.

Contrary to what many in the world might think or believe, I honestly believe that the last time my country used nuclear weapons to end a war was the last time you'll ever see them used by us. Just too much collateral damage to warrant their usage.

Great deterrence against the old Soviet Union and the Cold War but don't know if their necessary for that now. I mean how do you deter a terrorist organization that has vague bases of operations. You really can't. Conventional weapons are fine (i.e. hitting the Taliban, etc...) but I've never thought that the nuclear option was ever on the table for the USA, even after the towers fell. Thank goodness too.

 

[Phyllis Stein]

For those that died a prayer.
For those that seek to line their pockets using their memory, disgust.
An abhorrent loss of life, in the towers, on the ground and in the planes.

The cost of freedom is eternal vigilance. That vigilance has to work both ways - looking in as well as outward.

(Edit: And the subsequent wars and the millions killed on the back of that powder keg moment ought to be remembered as well. Millions!)