Amen.  I can't imagine what it must have been like as a New Yorker.  But we
all have our stories.  May I share mine?  It's rather long.  A day in a
life, so to speak.

I was at the office when one of our business analysts, Jarrod, who had just
arrived at work and had been listening to the radio on his way in, came up
and asked me if I'd heard about the plane hitting the WTC.  Well, no, how
could I?  I've been at work for an hour.  We were commenting on how very
*odd* it was when one of the programmers came striding by on the way to his
wife's office (yes, nepotism abounds in that place, odd for a large
company).  He said as he rushed by, "A plane just hit the other tower.
Looks like we're at war."  Jarrod and I just looked at each other,
dumbfounded.  Then he said to me, slowly, "Jill, isn't Marsh [our parent
company] located in the World Trade Center?"  Oh, crap!  Yes, it is.

I rushed to my desk and turned on the radio on my clock.  I announced to the
others who had arrived for work in my department what was going on.  Pretty
soon everyone in IT was rushing around as the news spread.

Marsh & McClennan occupied the 99th to the 101st floor of the North Tower.
We had a number of colleagues who had either transferred to work for Marsh
in the WTC.  We also had a number of them up there on temporary, 6 month,
assignments to help them set up a new infrastructure.  Now some of our IT
colleages were receiving text messages from our people trapped in the North
Tower.  Neel came by and told me he was being told the stairs were gone,
they couldn't get out.  Those who could were huddled in a conference room,
as far away from the smoke and fire as possible.  People who were getting
text messages were being asked that their families be notified they were
okay.  Stuck, but okay.  Just get word to them, please.  Tell them we love
them.  Etc.  It was heartbreaking.  It was terrifying.

Within 30 minutes of the first crash, the guys and gals from the
Infrastructure department had connected all the big screens in the
conference rooms on three floors to a live satellite feed.  And we watched
the tragedy unfold.

Keep in mind, I worked on our software help desk at the time; the software
was only used by people within our company (nationwide).  Needless to say,
no one was manning the phones.  I was standing in the conference room when
the man over our dept. (and several others) said, "Someone needs to be out
there answering the phones."  I turned and looked at him.  I said quietly,
"Do you really think anyone cares about the software right now?"

It was about that moment I heard a woman ask, "Is that building swaying?"
Someone else said, "Aren't they built to do that?"  Oh My God.  And moments
later we watched as the first of the Towers fell.  I can't describe how I
felt at that moment.  People in the conference room were crying quietly.
One woman was praying out loud.  I felt such a sense of unreality.  Then
loss.  Then anger.

I couldn't take it anymore.  I went to my desk and changed the message on
our dept. phone system to say we were unavailable, then rolled the dept.
phone lines over to voicemail.  I went downstairs, outside to the portico to
have a smoke.  There were a lot of people out there, even those who didn't
smoke.  It was, I suppose, a way of distancing ourselves for a moment,
although we really couldn't do that, could we?  It was while I was down
there the word came.  The second Tower had fallen.

I can't recall the exact sequence of events.  But let's not forget the plane
that hit the Pentagon during all of this.  My former manager and good
friend, Jim, came by my desk as I was sitting, stunned, hearing this news on
the radio.  I looked up at him in shock.  "A plane just hit the Pentagon."
WHAT?!  Yes.

And let us not forget the people who heroically fought back and took down
the plane in Pennsylvania, to prevent it from flying into (presumeably) the
White House.

Idiotically, some middle-management drones were still trying to conduct
"business as usual", as if there was nothing unusual about this morning.  My
(then) manager reminded me we had a conference call scheduled for 11am with
all the software coordinators around the country.  I just sort of looked at
her and said, "Uh huh."  She actually DID initiate the call.  The president
of the company broke in with the announcement that all offices were hereby
closed for business, with only key personnel to remain as a skeleton staff.
(I was one of the "skeletons" but by 2pm Central Time it was apparent even
we didn't need to be there.)

We later learned the first plane flew directly into the corner office of our
former Director of IT, Gary Lasko.  Gary was a reluctant transferree.  In
fact, he'd left the employ of Marsh years before to work for SCMS.  He still
maintained his residence in Memphis; his wife and daughter remained here and
he had an apartment in Manhattan that he used during the week.  He came home
on weekends to be with them.  He *soooo* did not want to be in NYC. (sigh)

My friend, Ian Robb, had been our Director of Human Resources and
transferred to NYC to work directly with Marsh after the acquisition.  His
train was late on that fateful morning.  He'd just gotten on an elevator in
the North Tower with about 10 other people when the first plane hit.  The
elevators immediately shut down, so they didn't go anywhere.  They were
trapped for at least an hour, maybe more, before suddenly the doors opened.
He heard one of the firefighters call out, "Hey!  That elevator door just
opened!"  And they stepped out of the car and into a nightmare.  They were
quickly ushered from the building, shocked, stunned.  They were hustled away
from the building just minutes before the Tower shuddered, then fell.

That's how I remember the day.  With horror.  With anger.  With sadness.

Jill

Jill

Everyone knows my feeling and what happened that morning to me.  It is a day
that will be etched in the minds of  the world for a life time

I thought these would be appropriate for today

To all the heroes lost and made that day.  You are in my prayers everyday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11,_2001_attacks
9/11 Poems - Please Remember 9/11

RISE AGAIN
By Christian Messer

As September eleventh comes around,
we remember the two beautiful towers that fell to the ground.
It was an act of terrorism this we know,
and the tears of America now show.
This country is going to war,
more of our woman and men will be lost for sure.
Now time has passed about a year,
from when we lost those lives so dear.
This time will we just sit and watch this war?
Or will we stand and fight for something more?
Will our country stand and fight for justice?
Yes it will and not for just this.
We will fight for the lives that were lost,
and for the peace and security that they cost.
The deep water that seems to surround us now will soon be drained,
and America will rise again to reign.

---------------------------------------------

I lit a candle outside...
trying to remember so many names......
remembering how many died......
and so many families left unsaid....
some still wishing for that one day to come...
they will get a call saying they found their loved one...

---------------------------------------------

A NEW DAY IN AMERICA
By Jason Carl Johnson

Today I saw a flame arise from ashes cold and gray
Today I heard a nation lift up its voice to pray

Today I saw a country humbled before its God
Today I heard a free land its liberty applaud

Today I saw a flag wave from every porch and lawn
Today I heard a nation sing the old forgotten songs

Today I saw a brother in every stranger's face
Today I heard a single voice from every tongue and race

Today I saw a people stand with arms and hearts entwined
Today I heard their voices speak with unity of mind

Today I saw a country so distinct from yesterday
O that everyday in America could be just like today!

© 2001 Jason Carl Johnson

---------------------------------------------

THE DAY OF TERROR
By Caitlin Clark

It started off cloudless and blue,
the day would hold terror and nobody knew.
People went to school and work,
I hope Osama enjoyed his little quirk.
Students stand on chairs
to see why the teacher stares.
Teachers told their classes
what happened to those great masses.
Students worry,
everyone in great fury.
Everyone wonders,
"Are they safe in those Towers?"
Now I sit and stare
at the land that's now so bare.
What did we do to deserve this?
Why this?
Why us?
One thing that we all know for sure
is that United We Stand Forever More!

---------------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH

The day we will never forget
A tragic date that most of us regret.
I feel nothing more than pity and anger for those who have brought
Danger to so many lives.
Look at all that's left behind:
Husbands and wives,
Homes with children left with nothing but tears falling from their
eyes.
Just remember;
God will save us from our fears,
So go on and wipe those tears.

---------------------------------------------

THE ATTACK
By Janine Susag

Hi, my name is Janine Susag and I'm fourteen years old. Shortly after
9.11.01, I wrote this poem to express my feelings towards what had
happened. Now I pass it on to you so that other people can view it and
see that I understand.

Always and Forever,

Janine Susag, 14

I watched the unbelievable scene in despair
Listened to the screams that filled the eerie morning air
It seemed as if it was all a horrific story
And all I could do was watch and worry

I shuddered as I watched the planes crash
Creating in each building a great huge gash
I looked at an old picture of the towers proud and tall
Then shuddered again as I watched them fall

This wasn't the end of the horrible scene
Not the last thing I will have seen
Soon there were people jumping into death's arms
And others rushed to medics to escape all harm

I sat down on the ground, eyes glued to the screen
Wondering who did this, who could be so mean?
I wished that there was someway I could help
But knew that there wasn't, I was too young to help

I never thought the US would be attacked
We were invulnerable; could not be harmed
Though the number missing is more each time counted
America has hope, for we have united

---------------------------------------------

THE TOWERS
A poem from an ex-New Yorker
By: EReyes1938@aol.com

Remember the towers
the saddest day in America
when planes changed course
bringing death from above.
The towers
which once stood
with pride and reliance
crumbled as wounded giants.
Thousands of lives
were lost in minutes
leaving scars w/deep roots.
The resolve of teams
was necessary and immediate
and may people were spared.
We now strike
at those responsible
even though it seems impossible.
Survivors lives
may never be the same
but we know God can heal broken hearts.

NEVER FORGET!

Sept. 11, 2001

Two Thousand One ~ Nine Eleven (2001-911)

Two thousand one, nine eleven
Three thousand plus arrive in heaven
As they pass through the gate,
Thousands more appear in wait

A bearded man with stovepipe hat
Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat"
They settle down in seats of clouds
A man named Martin shouts out proud
"I have a dream!" and once he did
The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives."

Groups of soldiers in blue and gray
Others in khaki, and green then say
"We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine"
The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."

From a man on sticks one could hear
"The only thing we have to fear.
The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,
Trust us sir, we've passed that test."

"Courage doesn't hide in caves
You can't bury freedom, in a grave,"
The Newcomers had heard this voice before
A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannis port shores

A silence fell within the mist
Somehow the Newcomer knew that this
Meant time had come for her to say
What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day

"Back on Earth, we wrote reports,
Watched our children play in sports
Worked our gardens, sang our songs
Went to church and clipped coupons

We smiled, we laughed,
we cried, we fought
Unlike you, great we're not"

The tall man in the stovepipe hat
Stood and said, "Don't talk like that!
Look at your country, look and see
You died for freedom, just like me"

Then, before them all appeared a scene
Of rubbled streets and twisted beams
Death, destruction, smoke and dust
And people working just 'cause they must

Hauling ash, lifting stones,
Knee deep in hell, but not alone
"Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yellowman
Side by side helping their fellow man!"

So said Martin, as he watched the scene
"Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."
Down below three firemen raised
The colors high into ashen haze

The soldiers above had seen it before
On Iwo Jima back in '45
The man on sticks studied everything closely
Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly

"I see pain, I see tears,
I see sorrow -- but I don't see fear."
"You left behind husbands and wives
Daughters and sons and so many lives
Are suffering now because of this wrong
But look very closely. You're not really gone.

All of those people, even those who've never met you
All of their lives, they'll never forget you
Don't you see what has happened?
Don't you see what you've done?
You've brought them together, together as one.

With that the man in the stovepipe hat said
"Take my hand," and from there he led
Three thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven
On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven

Author UNKNOWN (What a shame!)

September 11, 2007, will soon be approaching. On this day, please wear
red, white and blue to work or school to show your support for those who
lost their lives on 9~11~01 and to honor the heroes who worked to save
them and the families left behind. At noon your time on September11,
2007, no matter where you are or what you are doing, stop, put your hand
on your heart, and say the Pledge of Allegiance out loud or to yourself
and say a prayer for our nation.

In addition, for those of us who drive to work, please drive with your
headlights on to also give honor and remembrance to those who perished
on September 11th.

If all of us do this together in every time zone round the world, we
will have a powerful chain of thoughts surrounding us. Please keep this
going to your friends and family.

By September 11, 2007 hopefully enough people will have read this and
will join together in unity.

<snip 9-11 story>

Amen to that.

DH and I at the time were living in an apartment less than a mile
south of the Pentagon. After watching the attack on the towers on TV,
we headed out to go to work on that perfect clear blue sky day. We
went underground to catch the metro (just one stop before the Pentagon
stop).  When we pulled into the Petagon stop, a man ran onto the train
yelling that the Pentagon was on fire. Someone else said "It's not a
fire, it was an explosion."  Most people in the train car just
shrugged it off.  But as the train pulled out onto the bridge going
over the Potomac river, we saw the huge black column of smoke rising
from the Pentagon. By the time we got to our stop in DC, Metro was
announcing that the Pentagon stop was closed down.  Downtown DC was
chaos, cars jamming the streets. DH And I worked across the street
from each other. By the time we got to our respective offices, we had
decided to turn around and go home. We called for a cab, since the
metro wouldn't get us all the way home. But the streets were jammed,
so no cab could come.  We finally got back on the Metro figuring we'd
go as far as we could and maybe get a cab or a bus.  We sat
underground in the tunnel leading up the Foggy Bottom stop (the State
Department) for a really long time. Nobody on the train said a word.
We did finally get home, and the smoke smell lingered for days. I
cried in front of the TV for a while, then had to turn it off. And I
turned to the computer, and everntually to this group...
******
I remembered today, that after that event is when the catslaves yahoo
group was started, and when many of us starting chatting online using
Yahoo messenger.  We've been able to forge international friendships
through conversation, not just story posting. And that is worth
celebrating.

Hugs to all,
Caroline S.

I've had a lot of somber thoughts today, too; and you were in them. I
sort of understand
"where you're coming from" so to speak, because I have a friend in NY.
It was everyone's
tragedy but in many ways it is so different for those to whom this
happened in their
'own back yard. She grew up in Queens, and like you, also mourned the
loss in a
deeply personal way. I remember her grieving for the loss of "her
skyline", on top of
everything else. (that is not as selfish as it sounds, you would have
to know her probably
to realize that it is not)
Relating experience from our own sucker-punch in 1995, I also
understand that there's a definite
division of "before" and "after". Things are never the same.
Sympathy and hugs also to our friends in and near D.C., who always and
still seemed overshadowed by
the enormity of the tragedy in NY, and loved ones of the passengers
who died in PA.

Sherry

Peace Purrs & Best wishes to all concerned in this terrible disaster.
Sheelagh>"o"<

Six years ago Tuesday morning, I had turned on my radio to the local
classical musical station and was fixing breakfast, sort of half-
listening while trying to make my brain wake up. To say I'm not a
morning person is to put things very mildly.  I don't turn on the TV
first thing in the morning as there's never a shortage of bad news,
and I'm not ready for it at that time of day. That was why I had no
idea of what had happened on the East Coast.  The radio was playing a
rather somber piece of music, but I attatched no particular
significance to it.  I had just poured my cup of tea when the
announcer came on the radio saying  "The World Trade Center is gone."
That was literally my first inkling that anything WAS wrong or out of
the ordinary, that day. My first thought was  "Gone? Where did it GO?"
Over the course of that day, I heard the total story of the planes,
the WTC and the Pentagon, and could hardly take the horror of it on
board. Bless the courage of those passengers aboard that Pennsylvania
flight.

   I live under the flyover patterns for two local airports, and am
so used to the sounds of planes flying over that I had stopped
noticing them until those two days. The quiet was eerie and everything
looked normal here on the West Coast, but felt ominous. The attacks
were all anyone was talking about, of course. Then when I heard the
first plane fly over six years ago today, I was shocked at how loud it
sounded, as if they were about to land on a neighbor's roof. But I was
so happy for that little bit of normality restored.

I will always regret though, that those attacks were used as an excuse
for the Iraq war while Bin Laden himself remains free. "Bin Laden dead
or alive" was the first and last time I agreed with the Prez on just
about anything.

Melissa

I received a call at work from my wife who heard the news about a plane
hitting the tower.  We also figured a commuter plane.  But several of us
went to the cafeteria and turned on the TV and saw the gaping hole that said
to us that it was NOT a small plane.  Like most of the world we were in
total shock at the ongoing attack and murder of our people, not knowing who
was to blame.  When the first tower crumbled all hell broke loose in our
office.  

I worked for $WEMAKECOPRADIOS at the time and the management there
immediately got on the horn to upper management in corporate HQ to initiate
a disaster response to bring thousands of 2-way portable radios and several
transportable repeater rooms with towers to our office for programming and
delivery.  NYPD and FDNY are two of our major customers and our office was
our company's division HQ for the region.  

We had a couple of our salespeople in the city that day and they saw the
towers come down, not on TV but down the street from them. During the next
week plus our building was staffed 24x7 with an armed guard as tractor
trailer loads of equipment was brought in from across the country, employees
unloaded trucks in a "bucket brigade" line, unpacked boxes, inventoried and
programmed radios, charged batteries & spare batteries, repackaged equipment
and re-loaded trucks for delivery to NYC.

My wife worked with a sister of a Port Authority police officer who was also
an EMT.  He was stationed at one of the tunnels but rushed to the towers to
help.  To this day not one piece with his DNA has been identified.

In a chilling thought about our lives the week before, it was Friday
September 7th, 2001 that my wife was sworn in as a U.S. citizen - she was
born in Canada and came here on a K-1 visa to marry me.  What was then
called INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) assigned her swearing-in
ceremony to be held at the Pearl Street courthouse in Manhattan and to be
there at 9:00 AM.  You were given an appointment, not a choice, so we took
what was given to us.  We took the PATH train into WTC and were just leaving
the Towers on Friday at about the time of day the first plane hit on the
following Tuesday.  The government could have just as easily given us an
appointment on 9/11 as on 9/7.  We even stopped by the Millennium Tower
hotel across from the WTC to check out the menu for lunch but went elsewhere
to celebrate.  Then we went to the post office nearby and submitted her
naturalization certificate for a U.S. passport, going home with no proof
that she was a citizen, and days later wondering if her paperwork was still
in the post office which was closed due to the attack (it wasn't and we
received her U.S. passport in a few weeks).

I was always in awe at the size of the antenna mast on the WTC and worried
about what would happen if it had a structural failure and fell to the
ground. Little did any of us know what would happen scant days later.

Lots and lots of purrs,
Polonca and Soncek