Remembering September 11, 2001
by Donna Cooper, Jr. Copywriter
Six years ago today, also on a Tuesday, I was sitting in the Dentists office having a troublesome tooth extracted. As the dentist and his assistant were running about the office, letting the Novocain kick in a bit before starting work on my tooth, I lay in the reclined chair listening to the piped in radio. It was Magic 107.7, playing their light contemporary music when they broke in to announce that a plane that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City.
Not much information was known at that point. I remember sitting there, thinking how strange it was that a plane hadn’t been able to see the tower and maneuver out of its way. That’s when the second newsbreak interrupted the soothing music. A second plane had collided with the second of the World Trade Center towers. That is no coincidence, I thought.
I listened as much as I could before the dentist returned to yank my tooth out. Slightly distracted, I only noticed the pressure of him pulling out the molar, and hearing the cracking of the tooth, as he had to break it apart to get it out. I felt no pain, thankfully, and when he was finished, he packed the tooth and sent me on my way.
All the way back to the office, (yes, I went back to work) I was listening as the coverage of the plane crashes consumed the airwaves. Not sure what to think, I ran over the many possibilities that could have lead to such a tragic accident. I don’t remember it ever occurring to me in those first few hours that it was a terrorist attack. Then the first building came down, followed shortly by the second. Sending plumes of smoke and debris through out the city, injuring the people who were still out on the street.
Not long afterwards, the world learned that a plane had also crashed into the impenetrable Pentagon, and a fourth plane had crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania, apparently failing to accomplish it’s mission. It was only later that we learned that the truly brave men and women on that plane overpowered the terrorists and brought the plane down, before it could hit its intended target, The White House. And then we heard those now famous, and soul stirring words, “Let’s Roll.”
The atmosphere at the government office where I was working at the time was tense. People had there radios tuned in, TV’s turned on. Many went home for lunch, as did I, and watched anxiously as the rescue efforts ensued. It was so surreal. I couldn’t believe this was happening. The gravity of the situation, two seemingly indestructible buildings crumbling to the ground, part of the pentagon reduced to rubble, and a failed attempt on the White House. It seemed too much to handle. All I could do was pray for those people who had lost their lives, for those who survived and the families of all those brave men and women who ran into a burning building while everyone else was running out.
Six years later, it is still very clear in my mind. It’s something that a person doesn’t easily forget, even if they were (as I was) a thousand miles away. To say that I was completely unaffected would be in accurate. How anyone could claim that it didn’t affect them would seem ludicrous. The world hasn’t been he same since…and I doubt it ever will be again.
Like those who experienced the events of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 those memories will forever be imprinted in the story that is each and every American’s life. We will never forget. I will never forget.
What do you remember from that day? Where were you on September 11, 2001?
September 11th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
On September 11, 2001 at 8am I was just getting to 1st period Advanced Algebra. It was my Senior year of high school. I distinctly remember one of my fellow classmates coming into my classroom late and being reprimanded by the teacher. After taking his seat, he mentioned something about a plane hitting the world trade center in New York City. Thinking this was strange I asked him “was it a single engine Cessna?’ He replied that he thought so, and we continued on with class. About 10 minutes later the principal of our school came into our classroom and whispered something to our teacher who immediately rushed over to the classroom TV and turned it on. What happened over the next few hours seemed to me like a horrible dream, something straight out of a disaster movie.
At first no one really knew what was going on. I remember looking at the TV and seeing the commentator talking with his back to the twin towers (one was on fire, with thick clouds of smoke billowing from all sides of the building near the top) When all of a sudden an explosion ripped through the second tower. We watched intently and in complete horrified silence until the bell rang for second period and we all filtered into the hallway.
The hallway was a mix between pallid fear and confusion. All around me kids were on cell phones to their parents. Was the United States under attack? Were these bombs? Who was doing this? No one knew. As I entered second period everyone gathered around the TV and just watched, No one said a word. The Pentagon had been hit and reports had come out that high-jackers had taken over planes and were preparing to strike more targets. It was at this point that our principal came on over the loud speaker and dismissed us all from school.
Even six years later I can still remember these events like they occurred yesterday. I remember the fear and sadness I felt as I watched the towers smoke, burn, and crumble to the ground. I still remember the horror I felt when I watched the news casters describe how people were jumping 50 stories to their deaths, screaming the entire way down.
I think what affected me most about this tragedy is the fact that for the first time I realized how quickly life can change. How in a heartbeat a mere formality of a day can be transformed into our countries single most tragic day. It was a humbling experience and one that I will never forget.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
That morning, I was getting ready for work and had the TV on and was listening to Good Morning America when they announced a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. At first, I did not believe what I was hearing. I stopped what I was doing and ran to the TV to see what was going on. For me, I need to see it to believe it.
Then the panic set in…
The night before, my Husband had complained that he had to leave early because he had to go into New York City.
…I had no idea where he was going but that it was in the City.
I of course tried to reach him, but could not get him on his cell. I also tried to reach his scheduler, who was located in Chicago, to find out where he was going, but she was not in the office yet.
I then called my boss. I explained the situation and that I was not able to reach my Husband. My boss told me to stay home because no one was sure what was happening only that out of our front office window, they could see the smoke from the World Trade Center.
Well, I did remain at home. I did get my Husband’s scheduler on the phone first. She told me his plans had changed and my Husband was headed to Pennsylvania instead. What a relief! I finally also spoke to my Husband who confirmed he was safe and was happy that I was at home safe as well. Needless to say, I was glued to the TV the entire day praying for friends and family who might of been headed into New York City that day.
I did not lose anyone close to me, Thank the Lord, but will forever be deeply affected by the tragic events of that day.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Like most people on that day we were all going about our routine life, I too was watching the news when they first reported that a small plane had crashed into the WTC. At first they assumed that Air Traffic Control had misrouted the plane.
The building, as any one could see, was not struck by a small plane but a commercial airliner, the damage was far to extensive. As the smoke and debris billowed upwards the cameraman was viewing both towers when you caught the second plane veer then dive into the South tower and the massive explosion that ensued, my heart jumped, i was in complete disbelief of what I just witnessed.
I was riveted to the tv for the next few hours as I watched this tragic event unfold, and watched in disbelief as the towers crumbled to the earth. Knowing aviation and having flown the northeast corrider often, I knew this to be something more than what the media was relaying.
Then again I did not want to believe that a paticular race of people could or would ever use our planes as weapons against us and destroy thousands of lives in a single blow and the rippling affect it would have on us as a nation, it was unfathomable.
I did not loose anyone on that day, however the after affects will be with me always as I did loose my sister and her k-9 Adam, they had both been dispatched with her State Police k-9 unit, along with many other agencies that had cadaver dogs,they all worked at ground zero and at the pentagon, searching for both victims and for recovery of any human remains. Unfortunatly both came down with severe cancer as a result of exposure to the airborne debris, as have many rescue workers and victims livng around the site. She passed just over a year ago.
As time has passed since that fateful day, americans seem to have slipped into a lull about how or why we were so viciously attacked. The importance that it has imprinted upon us not only as individuals but as a nation. We should never forget why we were so brutally assaulted on our own soil. We shouold never disconnect ourselves from that feeling of subjection and vulnarability. I for one never want to feel again what I experianced on 9/11 and I along with many shall never forget.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I did not loose anyone on that day, however the after affects will be with me always as I did loose my sister and her k-9 Adam, they had both been dispatched with her State Police k-9 unit, along with many other agencies that had cadaver dog’s all worked at ground zero and at the pentagon, searching for both victims and for recovery of any human remains. Unfortunately both came down with severe cancer as a result of exposure to the airborne debris, as have many rescue workers and victims living around the site. She passed just over a year ago.
Trooper Sgt. Kathleen Margaret Barrett
March 23, 2006 - Middleboro, MA- Age 53
Massachusetts State Trooper, Sgt. Kathleen M. Barrett, died March 23, 2006 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 53 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Kathleen Barrett joined the Massachusetts State Police in 1980 and became one of the top canine officers in the region. Kathleen was a Master Trainer in Utility and Cadaver with the North American Police Work Dog Association. She traveled along the East Coast over the years with her specially trained dogs to work with other officers in a wide range of law enforcement searches and considered a nationally renowned trainer of cadaver dog teams. Sgt. Kathleen Barrett was involved in many high profile cases which involved searching for serial killer victims, combing the rubble of the World Trade Center for bodies after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and worked the devastated neighborhoods of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and also helped the Royal Canadian Mounted Police only to mention a few. She had countless searches that involved 22 states. Despite her illness, she was out on a search the same month she passed away. In 1997 Sgt. Barrett. started traveling the country, training and certifying canine teams and giving seminars on cadaver work. Her K-9 partners were “Dan” & “Adam”. In January, Barrett was given a bravery award named for Mark Charbonnier, who was killed in the line of duty in 1994 and received standing ovation for over 3 minutes from over 400 state troopers. Sergeant Barrett received a final accolade a week before her death for her 26 years of service as a Massachusetts State trooper. She received the Colonel’s Award of Excellence, which has been granted to only seven previous troopers. Her K-9 partner, Adam, was with her to the end and was not able to adapt to another person since they were side by side for 9 years and was euthanized, cremated, and buried with Trooper Barrett. Kathy’s other K9 partner Dan was also buried with her per her wishes. A total of 115 K-9 teams attended the funeral. Barrett is survived by a son, Sean, Brother Charles Foley of Ormond Beach,Fl. sisters, Madeline Wahlberg of Whitman, Ma. and Linda Halimore of Easton, Ma.