Where were you 17 years ago today?

4x4_Angel · Sep 11, 2018

papasmurf said: ↑

Here is my 9-11 story I post every year on facebook...

Good morning Facebook friends and family... its the 17th Anniversary of 9/11 and as always, I post my 9/11 story for you all to read and reflect on. This year has been a challenging one for me. I started and finished my Master's degree, and working on my master's thesis as I type this. However, my personal challenges have no comparison to the struggle many go through on this one day each year and all the days that follow. I for one will never forget today. I ask for your prayers for all those who lost someone this fateful day 17 years ago. To include some of my family and friends. Please reflect on the loss and change to our country and the heroic efforts of first responders and military 17 years ago today. Also, pray for the service members who have lost their lives or sacrificed their bodies and minds for your safety on that day and every day since to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.

17 years ago today, is a day I will never forget! Many of you may have read my story before, for those who haven't take a moment read and share my story so others can gain understanding on what some went through.

This is my 9/11 story, and I feel a need to share it for healing & growth as well as a reminder of what we have gone through as a country and what I have gone through in my life.

On the morning of September 11th, 2001 the day started or for me should have ended like most others. I was stationed in Washington DC with NAVCOMTELSTA Washington DC. I was currently on nights and working out of our building on the Washington Navy Yard. Our command was split also covering the Navy communications in the Pentagon as well. I had just come off my mid watch going onto a 48. After struggling to stay awake on my commute home from DC to Columbia Maryland where I was staying with my Mom. I made it home around 7:30 on the morning of the 11th. After changing out of my uniform and a shower I settle into my routine of making breakfast, with the intention to settle down and eat some food watch a movie and go to bed.

I finish my breakfast and sit on the couch to watch a movie. Around 9:45 my mother calls me in a panic. She says frantically "where are you", I immediately say "I'm at home eating breakfast sitting on the couch watching a movie where else would I be?". She then follows on with "A plane just flew into your building and two flew into the twin towers..." My heart sinks, my brain stops. I'm frozen unable to process and understand what she is telling me. After a few seconds of a lack of words, reality starts to sink in. First and foremost, my co-workers and friends who work at the Pentagon... are they OK? What do I do? I then realize my cousin and uncle work in the towers. I tell my mother I have to go, I have to go help. She tells me to be careful, I say I will.

I immediately hang up the phone, ran upstairs and throw on my Camouflage Uniform and race to the car. As I speed in excess of 100 mph to get to work to help my friends and fellow service members a State Trooper pulls up next to me signaling me to pull over. I flashed my military ID, he sees my uniform and waves me to keep going... I wish I could thank him for that simple moment of understanding and compassion. When I finally make it to DC traffic is a nightmare. There is no easy way to the Pentagon even on a good day. At this point it's 10:45 am and everyone is trying to leave DC... and here I am trying to get in. I wind my way through downtown passing the national monuments and right down Penn Ave. Moving past the white house, I make it over the river onto the 110. The 110 is the highway that runs along the river from the airport past the Pentagon.

Weaving my way down the 110 I can see the smoke billowing from the Pentagon, I see a man in uniform walking along the roadside pulling a suitcase. I proceed to pull over and ask him if he needs a ride. As I approach him rolling down my windows I take notice that its an Airforce Officer, he turns and looks and it was a two-star Airforce General. "Sir, can I offer you a ride?" I ask him, he says " yeah what the fuck is going on? I just flew in this morning and hopped on the metro at the airport and only made it one stop before this shit happened." I responded, "Sir I'm not sure but it appears we are being attacked". He opens the back door tossing his suitcase in the back seat, and jumping in the front seat he turns and says thank you.

Back on the road weaving through traffic, we get to the North Parking Lot Entrance. As expected there is security posted with rifles and they stop us and ask for ID and credentials. We both produce our ID's and Pentagon credentials. Security Salutes and tells us to park on the south side of the building. Always helps to have a two-star general in the car. I proceed to drop him off on the far side of the east parking lot. I drive around and park on the South side of the building and make my way to the triage area that had already been set up. I first approach the chaos with no idea how I could help..

The first tent I approached a doctor was exiting and I asked him what I could do. He pointed inside the tent and directs me to help with triage and first aid. I spend the next 3 hours assisting with basic first aid, wound care, shock and dehydration to those who were injured in the blast. At this point, even the first responders were starting to become fatigued. I exited the tent to find out how else I could help. A few senior military persons asked for a group of people to go retrieve supplies. We mounted up in the back of a truck and headed to the Gas station. We backed up to the store at the gas station and pulled the doors off the front and emptied the contents of the store into the trucks, returning with drinks and food for everyone.

After some rest and food and drinks, a group government and military reps came asking for volunteers. I of course familiar with volunteering raise my hand with some 30-40 other military persons. They told us to go with them. We gathered our things and followed them through the basement and into the courtyard. Walking out to see boxes with black bags starting to be laid out on the ground. A man says "Body bags... you guys are on body bag detail". In preparation for an unknown number of dead, we began laying out hundreds of bags on the ground.

At this point, it was unknown how many were dead. We then gathered with the firefighters worked up into groups and started the next 6 hours of going in team by team searching for survivors or the dead. I will leave the details out from here, it was the most emotional, and physically exhausting thing I may have ever done. I will never forget the sights and smells, I will always remember the looks on each other faces when we would find someone and realize the devastation sinking deep in our hearts and minds for our fellow Americans who had perished that day in the towers, the Pentagon and flight 93...

So after being on site for 8 or 9 hours, I was sent home in sheer exhaustion. But I didn't want to go home. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I called my best friend Jessica and said I'm coming over and she didn't hesitate to tell me OK. I showed up at her apt, I remember faces but no names. There we many people there all in the living room sitting around glued to the TV. I walked in said nothing and sat down next to her on the couch and she gave me the biggest hug. This was something I needed more than anything else that day. Love and support! I almost immediately passed out, the rest was a blur.

This is my 9-11 story, I will never forget my 13 co-workers who perished that day or my Family who lost their lives in the towers. The emotion, heartbreak, anger, fear, and love from everyone who rose up and worked together in a time of great national crisis. To my fallen Service men and women. You will be missed and never forgotten. Please Never Forget!!!
Click to expand...

Where is the hug emoji? You need one! I felt so useless that day. I was so angry waiting for a call from my unit after I called them and was told to just standby.

I will never forgot that day....ever. I teach my girls about that day and tell them that they need to remember that day too.

papasmurf · Sep 11, 2018

4x4_Angel said: ↑

Where is the hug emoji? You need one! I felt so useless that day. I was so angry waiting for a call from my unit after I called them and was told to just standby.

I will never forgot that day....ever. I teach my girls about that day and tell them that they need to remember that day too.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Its been 17 years and it's still feels like yesterday.

4x4_Angel · Sep 11, 2018

papasmurf said: ↑

Thanks, Its been 17 years and it's still feels like yesterday.
Click to expand...

Yes it does

Cajuntex · Sep 11, 2018

On a plane from Houston to Atlanta early that morning. We were told that the plane had to do an emergency landing in New Orleans. Prior to landing the pilot told us nothing was wrong with the plane but US airspace was being cleared due to a terrorist incident. We landed and were escorted through an empty terminal. Could see the towers burning on CNN news at every other gate.

tenntundra · Sep 11, 2018

I was working for Clayton manufacturing building double wide houses.we just came back from break when we heard about it.my fire dept.was put on stand by to possibly go to New York to help with finding people and extracation.we weren't sent but ,I talked to some firefighters later that went and they said it was unimaginable!

equin · Sep 11, 2018

papasmurf said: ↑

Here is my 9-11 story I post every year on facebook...

Good morning Facebook friends and family... its the 17th Anniversary of 9/11 and as always, I post my 9/11 story for you all to read and reflect on. This year has been a challenging one for me. I started and finished my Master's degree, and working on my master's thesis as I type this. However, my personal challenges have no comparison to the struggle many go through on this one day each year and all the days that follow. I for one will never forget today. I ask for your prayers for all those who lost someone this fateful day 17 years ago. To include some of my family and friends. Please reflect on the loss and change to our country and the heroic efforts of first responders and military 17 years ago today. Also, pray for the service members who have lost their lives or sacrificed their bodies and minds for your safety on that day and every day since to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.

17 years ago today, is a day I will never forget! Many of you may have read my story before, for those who haven't take a moment read and share my story so others can gain understanding on what some went through.

This is my 9/11 story, and I feel a need to share it for healing & growth as well as a reminder of what we have gone through as a country and what I have gone through in my life.

On the morning of September 11th, 2001 the day started or for me should have ended like most others. I was stationed in Washington DC with NAVCOMTELSTA Washington DC. I was currently on nights and working out of our building on the Washington Navy Yard. Our command was split also covering the Navy communications in the Pentagon as well. I had just come off my mid watch going onto a 48. After struggling to stay awake on my commute home from DC to Columbia Maryland where I was staying with my Mom. I made it home around 7:30 on the morning of the 11th. After changing out of my uniform and a shower I settle into my routine of making breakfast, with the intention to settle down and eat some food watch a movie and go to bed.

I finish my breakfast and sit on the couch to watch a movie. Around 9:45 my mother calls me in a panic. She says frantically "where are you", I immediately say "I'm at home eating breakfast sitting on the couch watching a movie where else would I be?". She then follows on with "A plane just flew into your building and two flew into the twin towers..." My heart sinks, my brain stops. I'm frozen unable to process and understand what she is telling me. After a few seconds of a lack of words, reality starts to sink in. First and foremost, my co-workers and friends who work at the Pentagon... are they OK? What do I do? I then realize my cousin and uncle work in the towers. I tell my mother I have to go, I have to go help. She tells me to be careful, I say I will.

I immediately hang up the phone, ran upstairs and throw on my Camouflage Uniform and race to the car. As I speed in excess of 100 mph to get to work to help my friends and fellow service members a State Trooper pulls up next to me signaling me to pull over. I flashed my military ID, he sees my uniform and waves me to keep going... I wish I could thank him for that simple moment of understanding and compassion. When I finally make it to DC traffic is a nightmare. There is no easy way to the Pentagon even on a good day. At this point it's 10:45 am and everyone is trying to leave DC... and here I am trying to get in. I wind my way through downtown passing the national monuments and right down Penn Ave. Moving past the white house, I make it over the river onto the 110. The 110 is the highway that runs along the river from the airport past the Pentagon.

Weaving my way down the 110 I can see the smoke billowing from the Pentagon, I see a man in uniform walking along the roadside pulling a suitcase. I proceed to pull over and ask him if he needs a ride. As I approach him rolling down my windows I take notice that its an Airforce Officer, he turns and looks and it was a two-star Airforce General. "Sir, can I offer you a ride?" I ask him, he says " yeah what the fuck is going on? I just flew in this morning and hopped on the metro at the airport and only made it one stop before this shit happened." I responded, "Sir I'm not sure but it appears we are being attacked". He opens the back door tossing his suitcase in the back seat, and jumping in the front seat he turns and says thank you.

Back on the road weaving through traffic, we get to the North Parking Lot Entrance. As expected there is security posted with rifles and they stop us and ask for ID and credentials. We both produce our ID's and Pentagon credentials. Security Salutes and tells us to park on the south side of the building. Always helps to have a two-star general in the car. I proceed to drop him off on the far side of the east parking lot. I drive around and park on the South side of the building and make my way to the triage area that had already been set up. I first approach the chaos with no idea how I could help..

The first tent I approached a doctor was exiting and I asked him what I could do. He pointed inside the tent and directs me to help with triage and first aid. I spend the next 3 hours assisting with basic first aid, wound care, shock and dehydration to those who were injured in the blast. At this point, even the first responders were starting to become fatigued. I exited the tent to find out how else I could help. A few senior military persons asked for a group of people to go retrieve supplies. We mounted up in the back of a truck and headed to the Gas station. We backed up to the store at the gas station and pulled the doors off the front and emptied the contents of the store into the trucks, returning with drinks and food for everyone.

After some rest and food and drinks, a group government and military reps came asking for volunteers. I of course familiar with volunteering raise my hand with some 30-40 other military persons. They told us to go with them. We gathered our things and followed them through the basement and into the courtyard. Walking out to see boxes with black bags starting to be laid out on the ground. A man says "Body bags... you guys are on body bag detail". In preparation for an unknown number of dead, we began laying out hundreds of bags on the ground.

At this point, it was unknown how many were dead. We then gathered with the firefighters worked up into groups and started the next 6 hours of going in team by team searching for survivors or the dead. I will leave the details out from here, it was the most emotional, and physically exhausting thing I may have ever done. I will never forget the sights and smells, I will always remember the looks on each other faces when we would find someone and realize the devastation sinking deep in our hearts and minds for our fellow Americans who had perished that day in the towers, the Pentagon and flight 93...

So after being on site for 8 or 9 hours, I was sent home in sheer exhaustion. But I didn't want to go home. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I called my best friend Jessica and said I'm coming over and she didn't hesitate to tell me OK. I showed up at her apt, I remember faces but no names. There we many people there all in the living room sitting around glued to the TV. I walked in said nothing and sat down next to her on the couch and she gave me the biggest hug. This was something I needed more than anything else that day. Love and support! I almost immediately passed out, the rest was a blur.

This is my 9-11 story, I will never forget my 13 co-workers who perished that day or my Family who lost their lives in the towers. The emotion, heartbreak, anger, fear, and love from everyone who rose up and worked together in a time of great national crisis. To my fallen Service men and women. You will be missed and never forgotten. Please Never Forget!!!
Click to expand...

Wow! Thanks for sharing!

RustyPNW · Sep 11, 2018

I was 19 stationed in Portland, Oregon on the USCGC Bluebell. I recall listening to Howard Stern report that a plane may have crashed into one of the twin towers while I was arriving to my unit. Second plane hit live on TV just as I sat down on the mess deck for morning muster. Normal operations were halted that day as myself and the crew received security duties and increased watches. The small boat station conducted increased river and bridge patrol on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

zlaneb · Sep 11, 2018

I was setting on Capitol of Texas Highway when the rock radio station DJ said 'I'm not kidding folks, a plane just hit one of the towers". Our lives changed that day. My LE support teams was immediately activated as we didn't know at that time how big of a coordinated attack we were dealing with. I long for the days of innocence before 9/11.

DalTee · Sep 11, 2018

4x4_Angel said: ↑

I would have throat punched him
Click to expand...

I looked him up on Linked In a little while ago...

I nearly connected just to curse him out....

And I don’t swear

SMK Shoe · Sep 12, 2018

Was in the Motorpool preping a Battery of 105mm Howitzers to assume mission cycle with the 82nd ABN. Went home that night expecting to go to war the next day.

ShreveportTSS · Sep 12, 2018

Sitting in Dallas traffic on Hwy 80 West at 635. You could see the faces change as soon as the second plane hit. Lot of teary eyes too.

lionix · Sep 12, 2018

papasmurf said: ↑

Here is my 9-11 story I post every year on facebook...

Good morning Facebook friends and family... its the 17th Anniversary of 9/11 and as always, I post my 9/11 story for you all to read and reflect on. This year has been a challenging one for me. I started and finished my Master's degree, and working on my master's thesis as I type this. However, my personal challenges have no comparison to the struggle many go through on this one day each year and all the days that follow. I for one will never forget today. I ask for your prayers for all those who lost someone this fateful day 17 years ago. To include some of my family and friends. Please reflect on the loss and change to our country and the heroic efforts of first responders and military 17 years ago today. Also, pray for the service members who have lost their lives or sacrificed their bodies and minds for your safety on that day and every day since to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.

17 years ago today, is a day I will never forget! Many of you may have read my story before, for those who haven't take a moment read and share my story so others can gain understanding on what some went through.

This is my 9/11 story, and I feel a need to share it for healing & growth as well as a reminder of what we have gone through as a country and what I have gone through in my life.

On the morning of September 11th, 2001 the day started or for me should have ended like most others. I was stationed in Washington DC with NAVCOMTELSTA Washington DC. I was currently on nights and working out of our building on the Washington Navy Yard. Our command was split also covering the Navy communications in the Pentagon as well. I had just come off my mid watch going onto a 48. After struggling to stay awake on my commute home from DC to Columbia Maryland where I was staying with my Mom. I made it home around 7:30 on the morning of the 11th. After changing out of my uniform and a shower I settle into my routine of making breakfast, with the intention to settle down and eat some food watch a movie and go to bed.

I finish my breakfast and sit on the couch to watch a movie. Around 9:45 my mother calls me in a panic. She says frantically "where are you", I immediately say "I'm at home eating breakfast sitting on the couch watching a movie where else would I be?". She then follows on with "A plane just flew into your building and two flew into the twin towers..." My heart sinks, my brain stops. I'm frozen unable to process and understand what she is telling me. After a few seconds of a lack of words, reality starts to sink in. First and foremost, my co-workers and friends who work at the Pentagon... are they OK? What do I do? I then realize my cousin and uncle work in the towers. I tell my mother I have to go, I have to go help. She tells me to be careful, I say I will.

I immediately hang up the phone, ran upstairs and throw on my Camouflage Uniform and race to the car. As I speed in excess of 100 mph to get to work to help my friends and fellow service members a State Trooper pulls up next to me signaling me to pull over. I flashed my military ID, he sees my uniform and waves me to keep going... I wish I could thank him for that simple moment of understanding and compassion. When I finally make it to DC traffic is a nightmare. There is no easy way to the Pentagon even on a good day. At this point it's 10:45 am and everyone is trying to leave DC... and here I am trying to get in. I wind my way through downtown passing the national monuments and right down Penn Ave. Moving past the white house, I make it over the river onto the 110. The 110 is the highway that runs along the river from the airport past the Pentagon.

Weaving my way down the 110 I can see the smoke billowing from the Pentagon, I see a man in uniform walking along the roadside pulling a suitcase. I proceed to pull over and ask him if he needs a ride. As I approach him rolling down my windows I take notice that its an Airforce Officer, he turns and looks and it was a two-star Airforce General. "Sir, can I offer you a ride?" I ask him, he says " yeah what the fuck is going on? I just flew in this morning and hopped on the metro at the airport and only made it one stop before this shit happened." I responded, "Sir I'm not sure but it appears we are being attacked". He opens the back door tossing his suitcase in the back seat, and jumping in the front seat he turns and says thank you.

Back on the road weaving through traffic, we get to the North Parking Lot Entrance. As expected there is security posted with rifles and they stop us and ask for ID and credentials. We both produce our ID's and Pentagon credentials. Security Salutes and tells us to park on the south side of the building. Always helps to have a two-star general in the car. I proceed to drop him off on the far side of the east parking lot. I drive around and park on the South side of the building and make my way to the triage area that had already been set up. I first approach the chaos with no idea how I could help..

The first tent I approached a doctor was exiting and I asked him what I could do. He pointed inside the tent and directs me to help with triage and first aid. I spend the next 3 hours assisting with basic first aid, wound care, shock and dehydration to those who were injured in the blast. At this point, even the first responders were starting to become fatigued. I exited the tent to find out how else I could help. A few senior military persons asked for a group of people to go retrieve supplies. We mounted up in the back of a truck and headed to the Gas station. We backed up to the store at the gas station and pulled the doors off the front and emptied the contents of the store into the trucks, returning with drinks and food for everyone.

After some rest and food and drinks, a group government and military reps came asking for volunteers. I of course familiar with volunteering raise my hand with some 30-40 other military persons. They told us to go with them. We gathered our things and followed them through the basement and into the courtyard. Walking out to see boxes with black bags starting to be laid out on the ground. A man says "Body bags... you guys are on body bag detail". In preparation for an unknown number of dead, we began laying out hundreds of bags on the ground.

At this point, it was unknown how many were dead. We then gathered with the firefighters worked up into groups and started the next 6 hours of going in team by team searching for survivors or the dead. I will leave the details out from here, it was the most emotional, and physically exhausting thing I may have ever done. I will never forget the sights and smells, I will always remember the looks on each other faces when we would find someone and realize the devastation sinking deep in our hearts and minds for our fellow Americans who had perished that day in the towers, the Pentagon and flight 93...

So after being on site for 8 or 9 hours, I was sent home in sheer exhaustion. But I didn't want to go home. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I called my best friend Jessica and said I'm coming over and she didn't hesitate to tell me OK. I showed up at her apt, I remember faces but no names. There we many people there all in the living room sitting around glued to the TV. I walked in said nothing and sat down next to her on the couch and she gave me the biggest hug. This was something I needed more than anything else that day. Love and support! I almost immediately passed out, the rest was a blur.

This is my 9-11 story, I will never forget my 13 co-workers who perished that day or my Family who lost their lives in the towers. The emotion, heartbreak, anger, fear, and love from everyone who rose up and worked together in a time of great national crisis. To my fallen Service men and women. You will be missed and never forgotten. Please Never Forget!!!
Click to expand...

Bruce, I just read that and had chills. Can't imagine the mental scars from that. x2 for the hug emoji.

Red Dragon · Sep 13, 2018

I was taking my youngest son to school and then heading to work.

papasmurf · Sep 13, 2018

lionix said: ↑

Bruce, I just read that and had chills. Can't imagine the mental scars from that. x2 for the hug emoji.
Click to expand...

Thanks! yeah it sucked, i try not to think about it most days, some days are harder than others

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