Today, September 11, 2011 marks the ten year anniversary of one of the most tragic days in America’s history and Brownwood News invited our readers to take part in a special tribute article. We asked them to share their memories and thoughts or reflections of that day and how it affected them or changed their lives. Submissions received by BrownwoodNews.com are featured in this article.
The day the “twin towers” of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City, the Pentagon and Flight 93 were attacked by highjackers who caused the deaths of nearly 3,000 people in less than 2 hours. It was a tragedy none of us could comprehend that day and still struggle with, wondering “Just how it could have happened in the United States of America?”
A summary timeline of the day:
8:45am: Flight 11 hit the North tower of the WTC
9:03am: Flight 175 crashed into the South tower of the WTC
9:05am: President Bush learns of the attacks on the twin towers while he and Mrs. Bush were visiting an elementary school in Florida.
9:40am: Flight 77 crashed into the west side of the Pentagon
9:59am: South tower collapses
10:07am: Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers overtook highjackers
10:28am: The North WTC tower collapses
5:20pm: World Trade Center 7 collapses
Below are memories from area residents from that day:
I was working in Dallas at the time. We were living in Grapevine, and I had about a 40 minute commute to work. I was listening to a local sports radio station when they began to report that an airplane struck the World Trade Center in New York. Of course, at the time, everyone believed it was an accident, and there was some discussion on the radio about other historic events where planes had crashed into buildings.
The hosts of the radio show I was listening to were watching live coverage of the event. I remember there was a moment of shear chaos in the broadcast booth. One of the hosts said, “Did that really just happen?” There were other similar comments of confusion and disbelief. Finally, after several seconds of dead air, one of the hosts was able to gather his thoughts and said, “Another plane just hit the World Trade Center. It appears we are under attack. This was not an accident.”
My office at the time was on the 47th floor of Renaissance tower, one of the tallest buildings in downtown Dallas. I was near the office when the second plane hit. So, I decided to go into work anyway. It is a decision that seems ridiculous now, but I simply did not know what else to do. As I made my way into the office building, it was clear that everyone had not heard the news. Some people in the lobby were getting their morning coffee with a smile and laugher, while others were running about in panic and fear.
Upon arriving at work, I found almost everyone watching the coverage of the events in the conference room. The mood was solemn and there was little discussion. Some of us were pretending to work by doing various meaningless tasks with intermittent trips to the conference room to watch the coverage. Others stayed glued to the television.
Within thirty minutes of my arrival at the office, news broadcasters begin to speculate that other cities may be under attack. They thought any tall building was a target. Because we were in a skyscraper near D/FW airport, many people became fearful and left. I stayed for a while choosing to watch the coverage with my coworkers that remained.
I do not think the gravity of the situation really hit me until the first tower collapsed. I can still remember the feeling I had watching that large magnificent building crumble with everyone still inside. It was grief and terror all at once. I immediately got my things and left the office for home.
My oldest child, Austin, was only 7 months old at the time. My wife and I were still brand new parents. As we sat together watching the day’s coverage of the events, we held him. I do not think we put him down all day. I remember thinking, “What kind of world will you grow up in and how will this affect your life.”
In the days following 9/11, I was constantly reminded how much our world had changed because my work required me to fly regularly. I remember going to the airport and being met by armed guardsman and security lines that stretched outside the doors. In those first few months, security lines often took an hour or more to clear.
In hindsight, I recognize that the events of that day have indeed changed the world. We have now been engaged in a global war on terror for more than a decade, and we all have had to sacrifice some personal freedoms to ensure the safety of our nation. The greatest change I have seen since 9/11, however, is a renewed since of patriotism and pride in the American people.
Three years prior to the 9/11 attack, I was discussing our nation with a group of young people. We discussed Pearl Harbor and how valiantly our grandparent’s generation fought to save our nation. While everyone in the group was relatively patriotic, some questioned whether our generation and the current population had the same conviction and resolve. Clearly, our nation’s response to that tragic day removed all doubt. While we may not all agree on every action or inaction of our government, the commitment of our nation and its current population to the principles of freedom, liberty and democracy can no longer be questioned.
In the years that have followed 9/11, thousands of young men and women have died defending our freedoms. There has been no draft. In fact, our active military forces currently have more applicants than they can accept. Those brave men and women are also proudly supported by many civilian groups. Churches and civic groups pray for their safety and schools send gifts and care packages to our troops. There is work that remains to be done to ensure that our country will remain the greatest nation on earth. However, in light of our country’s response to the tragic events of 9/11, I am firmly convinced that the people of our nation have the conviction and fortitude to endure all tests. May God bless us in that pursuit!
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes
I was born in New York City and lived there for over 30 years before I found my home in Texas. We lived in a section of Brooklyn and you could see the lower end of Manhattan from our apartment window. I remember watching the towers grow bigger every day as I rode the subway to and from school. My father, a plumber, installed many bathrooms in those buildings.
The day they fell, I was at work at Brownwood Regional Medical Center. I had an event occur that morning that to this day I can’t explain. At the time the first plane hit, without any reason, I suddenly felt weak and almost fainted. Someone in the office asked if I was OK. The feeling passed in an instant, and I replied everything was fine. Being of good health and hardy stock, I made nothing of it and went about my business.
Within a few minutes, folks were running about telling of the horror they had just seen on the television. I was beside myself at this point and knew exactly what was going on. When we watched the 2nd tower fall it was too much to bear and I couldn’t watch it any longer.
Later that day I found out that my sister-in-law Gayle, for some reason, did not go to work that day in the towers, and was spared. My childhood friend, Eddie, a fireman, was in the towers on the 50th floor when one of his crew appeared to have had a heart attack. In getting the fallen man out, Eddie’s life was saved.
While I didn’t lose any of my family that live in the area, many of my friends did. It’s something I can never forget and the ones lost will always be near and dear to my heart. I just pray to the Lord that he hold them close and protect them through all eternity.
Martin Belli, MD, Bangs
It’s amazing how I can so vividly remember the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. At the time I was working at the Brownwood Regional Medical Center. I remember as I was walking through the lobby that morning the television was on the news. The first tower had been hit and was burning; I remember the news anchors talking about all the confusion; what a terrible accident this was. I remember staring at the TV and in the blink of an eye the 2nd airplane flew into the other tower. It was such a surreal experience watching it happen; almost I was watching a movie. But the instant silence from the anchors was deafening, and then the shock and disbelief in their voices as they tried to report told me that it was very real. The lobby began to fill with people; stopping and just staring like I was. Then I went and I called my family and my husband. I still think about that day every time I step on an airplane.
Jennifer Williams, Brownwood
I remember that day well. I was working at Brown County RV and my husband was at home checking for my mother-in-law. He works with the Texas Department of Public Safety and had to be ready to be deployed to help wherever and however, anywhere to guard anything.
Fern Snow, Zephyr
I was living at Bellview, Nebraska at Affa Airforce Base and had just taken my son to kindergarten when it happened. I was taking a nap and knew that all planes had been grounded, when I heard a plane overhead. Talk about coming unglued! I later learned that Affa was possibly where President Bush was taken.
Chandra Means, Brownwood
I was working at Verizon when we heard the news. I thought, “Oh my God, are we starting a world war?” The office hooked up a television and we all watched as it happened.
Pat Wilson, Brownwood
I was in a bank in Goldthwaite discussing the City of Goldthwaite’s CD rates. The Bank President and I walked in the break room to get coffee; the TV was on showing the first crash. The second crash took place and he and I were speechless. We thought the first crash was an accident, but after the second crash, we knew it was planned. It was a confusing day wondering how and why it happened. Everyone I came in contact with was stunned – it was a dark day for all.
Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree
The wife and I got up at 6 and were out the door at 6:15. It was about a 45 minute ride to Dell HQ in Round Rock from our home out in the country. I was working 7:30-6:30 and usually got in an hour early to get coffee made and surf the web. I was on the phone with a customer just talking about the weather while waiting for her computer to restart when every cell phone around her started going off and people were yelling that something had just happened across the street. She was in building 5 with Deloitte & Touche. She said, “Holy s*** the building is shaking and there’s smoke…” and hung up. I tried to call back but before I finished dialing other people in our area stood up and started yelling that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. All lines were busy when I tried to reach her again. I’ll never forget that call.
We all stood and watched the monitors showing CNN silently beside our call volume stats. Most of the people in Central/Mountain/Pacific weren’t up yet so we figured people who didn’t know would start calling with issues in an hour or so, so we stayed at work and waited. Nobody called. It was like the country took a day off. It was the day the phones stopped ringing. They let us go home at noon. We watched the news all day and even made up an emergency plan just in case something happened in Austin and we couldn’t reach each other. Wednesday-Friday was almost totally quiet too.
Aaron, Brownwood
I can still remember the tragedy of 9-11. It was a normal day for me. I went to a local gym for my morning workout. I was on the treadmill watching the news like everyday, when they interrupted the show, and showed the first plane hitting the trade center. At first I thought it was an accident, I knew this would cause lots of lives. Later on, the other plane hit the tower and I knew this was not an accident. I decided it would be better to go home as I thought my own place would be a safer haven for whatever else would come. As I sat home and saw the terrific pictures on the television, I knew the world as we knew it would not be the same. I was angry, better say, I am still angry. Why would these demons do something this horrific to so many innocent people, not only did Americans die but other nationalities were victims also. How many children died?
I have been able to visit New York City pre 9-11, and after this I was thinking how the landscape has changed. Seeing those towers in movies and shows prior to this incident makes me sad and angry. After this I must say I have a greater sense of observance at everything that happens around me. Now when I fly and see a young man of Arab decent I am very nervous, I know I should not stereotype, but I guess it is just human instincts. I know I will offend someone by this comment, if I did so sorry. Last year, the wife and I were able to fly to England for a small vacation. At that time the Pope was visiting, and even though I would of liked to gotten closer to maybe see this man, I did not like being around so many people. This incident has changed many things, for the good or bad I do not know.
One thing I saw that was good was all the patriotism after 9-11. I wish we could have kept this as strong now as when this happened. We all must support each other and keep supporting our troops and keep them on our prayers and minds. Let’s not forget all the first responders; they lost many brothers and sisters during 9-11. America and the world will never be the same, but we all need to do our part in making it as good as it will be.
One last thing, let’s not only remember the victims once a year on 9-11, but always keep them in your mind. God bless the USA.
Robert Harman, Brownwood
