OT: 9/11 Memorial
September 11th, 2012 at 9:16 AM ^
... a terrible day in our nation's history. I know I will never forget every detail of that day.
September 11th, 2012 at 9:47 AM ^
The vigil we had on campus that night was one of the most moving experiences I've ever been a part of. The diag was stuffed as far as the eye can see, something like 15,000 people, they said it was the largest non-sports gathering on campus that had ever happened, bigger than even the hash bashes or anything else. That day on campus is one of the clearest memories I have of my college career.
Two of my roommates that year were from New York and the day was very rough on them as they were trying to get in touch with their families. One of my early rising roomies (8 of us in a 6 bedroom apt) woke us all up when the TV cut away from Sportscenter to live coverage after the first plane hit, so we all saw the 2nd plane hit on live TV.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all members of the Michigan family that were impacted on that fateful day or lost someone close to them.
September 11th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^
Just curious, were classes cancelled that day?
September 11th, 2012 at 11:13 AM ^
I walked like a Zombie to a class after the planes had hit (but before the towers had collapsed) seeing people with happy faces and thinking to myself "You don't know what just occured, or how fucked up things are going to get in the world from here on out..." They are my last memories of the world or life before 9/11, because most of the people that I saw had no idea that it had happened..
I still don't know why I went to class, I guess I was just on autopilot / in disbelief as to what had just occured.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
They didn't cancel classes until noon or so, possibly 1. I had Spanish at 10 AM, which I was late for, because I couldn't pull myself away from the TV. I saw the first tower collapse inside a convenience store (can't remember the name of it now, on East U next to lucky kitchen) because they had the TV on and I stopped in for smokes.
I got to Spanish way late, and the teacher was berating me in Spanish, and I was trying to plead with her to turn on the TV but she wouldn't. No one in the class had any clue what was going on, as they all had been in class the whole morning, while this was my first class of the day.
About 15 minutes after my arrival, a girl came in with tears streaming down her face. She was from NYC and couldn't get in touch with her dad who worked at WTC and she was freaking out, but thought she needed to be in class so she wouldn't get in trouble for ditching. Again, the teacher was deaf to our pleas to turn on the TV, because she wouldnt allow us to speak it in English and we couldnt convey in Spanish just what happened.
As soon as class was over at 11 I jumped up and flipped on the TV in the classroom. By that time the 2nd tower had collapsed. The teacher, upon seeing this, apologized profusely to us for not turning on the TV.
It turns out that the girl's dad was okay, he was one of the lucky ones that got out.
I went to my next class at 1130 as they hadn't been cancelled yet, but by then everyone knew what was going on. I couldn't focus as I was in a state of shock, so I left class after about 15 minutes and went home. Then the campus email kicked in saying all remaining classes were cancelled that day and there would be a vigil that night on the Diag.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
I'd have been "listen you stupid bitch, turn on the TV, thousands of people are dying right now, and they speak all sorts of languages!"
And promptly dropped the class the next day, complaining to the Dean.
September 11th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^
I was a student at the time as well, and also went to the vigil. It was incredibly moving.
I remember that day extremely well. I actually slept in that morning because it was a Tuesday and I didn't have any classes before noon. I was about to go to class when I got a call saying it was cancelled, but without explaining why. I remember looking outside, seeing that it was a perfectly sunny day, and wondering what could possibly have happened. Then I turned on the TV: "Terrorists destroy WTC, hit Pentagon."
I had been a little upset over the Washington game a few days earlier (where we lost on the blocked FG that was returned for a TD), but then I saw that footage on TV and realized, "Football really isn't that important."
September 11th, 2012 at 9:58 AM ^
I had just graduated college that year and I was preparing for U. S. Army flight school to start in January 2002. I was still in Michigan at the time working and waiting for my active duty orders. I remember going to work that day at a restaurant and I could count the number of people who came in on my hands.
September 11th, 2012 at 10:34 AM ^
September 11th, 2012 at 10:57 AM ^
Yeah, I'd say 9/11 was our generation's equivalent to the JFK assassination. Where our parents could all say exactly where they were/what they were doing when they heard that news, I can remember almost everything about 9/11. We had a repairman over that day to look at our washer/dryer. I couldn't tell you any other time we had someone over for that sort of thing.
September 11th, 2012 at 11:38 AM ^
In the early morning hours, there are always planes lined up to land. As chilling as the events of 9-11 were, I will never forget standing in the parking lot at dawn on 9-12 and not seeing anything in the air except a solitary F-16.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^
I recall a fighter plane flying over Ann Arbor that afternoon, I think it was an F-16 but it streaked by pretty quick, made those on the diag a little jumpy because it was low and loud.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:24 PM ^
Yes, there was a small aircraft that had taken off. I am not sure how or why the pilot didn't know about the flight ban, but they scrambled two fighters immediately and they were buzzing around the guy right over my house (SW part of Ann Arbor). I still have the incredulous email my husband (who was at home to see it) sent me about it.
September 11th, 2012 at 2:18 PM ^
I just remember everyone kind of freaked out about the fighter jet (I only remember seeing one at a time, so I had assumed that it was one jet, not two different jets) because it was definitely flying in attack mode and not just cruising along. A few people on the diag screamed. Everyone that day was so jumpy, no one knew what was going on or who was behind it or who we were now at war with or anything at all, and for all we knew there was another hijacked plane inbound to campus. Thanks for sharing what happened, now I don't have to wonder for all eternity what that was all about.
September 11th, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
I was at SU and fell asleep with the TV on ESPN and woke up and it was coverage of the WTC on fire. About 5 minutes later the second plane hit.
I pulled up some videos on Youtube of the coverage. It's 11 years ago now, but it still seems fresh in my memory.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^
..ands really has no business on Mgoblog.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
Open ass, remove head.
Nothing political about remembering/honoring those who loved and lost on one of the saddeest days in our nation's history.
What a tool!
September 11th, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
Seriously man, it is one of the most horrific things to happen, on the 11 year anniversary date, in US History...
September 11th, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
Only if one is a flaming lunatic.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^
September 11th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^
You're a douchebag. Not one comment on this thread, aside from yours, contains any content of a political nature; so either your reading comprehension sucks, you didn't bother to read any of the comments at all, or you're just trying to start shit.
My apologies to the mods for the crass language. I'm not one to usually hurl the ad hominems, but this one pissed me off.
September 11th, 2012 at 11:22 PM ^
How is this a political thread? I have read every post so far, and fail to see which of them was political. Either demonstrate and support your assertion, or I would ask the moderators to quarantine you in Boliva for your lack of good judgement.
If anything, 9/11 pulled the USA together like little before or after. We were unified, in understanding and appreciating the freedoms we have in our country.
This evening, I was part of a memorial remembrance in the community where I serve, and was honored. I'm am sure that everyone who took part was also appreciative of the opportunity to honor the firemen, policemen, and first responders who gave their lives in this tragedy. Every American I know, whether Democrat or Republican or Libertarian, man or woman or child, Christian or Muslim or Atheist, young or old, black or asian or white, rich or poor or in the middle, stands against indiscriminate terrorism. I will grant that there are undoubtedly Americans who are in support of terrorism. I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Regardless, I am very thankful for the freedom we have in this country to believe as we wish, say what we want, go to school wherever we can get in, where we have many opportunities denied elsewhere.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
Never again, never forget. God Bless the people who have fought for our freedom and those who gave their lives trying to save the others.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
September 11th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
I was in 9th grade, we were just getting ready for symphonic band. The principal went over the loudspeaker and told us what happened. We sat in silence. The other band conductor came out into the aud and basically said "everything is going to change". He brought up what JFK's assination was like for him as a child. And he talked about how we would never forgot what we were doing or where we were. I remember at lunch time, I sat with a girl who was frantic because she knew people that worked in the WTCs. And all I could tell her was "Don't worry, it's going to be ok." Even though I knew I could have been lying.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
Your Canadian neighbors stand fast with heavy hearts.
September 11th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
September 11th, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^
I was in 7th grade. For some reason my middle school decided that the students were not to be told or shown anything. The rumors flying around school that day were outrageous. I remember us pestering our teachers to turn on the tv without success. I don't think any of the teachers got 5 minutes of material in that day without us arguing with them that something historical was going on and we needed to see it. I didn't find out as to what really happend until 3:30 PM after I got off the bus. I'm still upset about how the school handled it.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:25 PM ^
September 11th, 2012 at 1:05 PM ^
September 11th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^
It was her 30th that day, so she was already in a bad mood probably for hitting that milestone, and now she has to share her Bday with that day for all time.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:26 PM ^
It's my mom's birthday too! Ya sucky day indeed.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:13 PM ^
...at the Pentagon and those on Flight 93 that crashed in Somerset, PA. I was in my office one mile distant from the Pentagon that day and could just have easily been conducting Navy Reserve business in the Pentagon since that's where my unit was assigned. My civilian boss (also, a Navy Reservist) was there because he was the CO of the Navy Command Center reserve unit and he had headed there immediately after the Twin Towers were first hit. When the Pentagon was hit and the Navy Command Center was taken out, he was minutes from reaching it. He lost three unit members who were on watch there. He authored a great account of his experience that day in USNI Proceedings, but unfortunately, it's paywalled.
Here are links to the reflections of a colleague of mine who's a retired Navy Captain and was in the Pentagon on 9/11. Part 1 and Part 2.
September 11th, 2012 at 5:29 PM ^
"Let's Roll"
Still gives me the chills and pride for what they did on that plane.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:25 PM ^
Preparing for a company wide meeting when it came up on the net, and we tuned in a tv and watched the slow early net feeds. So not that remarkable.
But my related to Michigan annual story is that year at the MSU game, Clockgate, at one point in the game, sitting in the upper deck, a plane started flying directly towards the stadium, really low, and didn't veer off till it was the closest I've ever seen a major airline plane fly near a stadium. Seemed almost eye level in that high upper deck. Needless to say there were a lot of nervous people in the Stadium at that time. Not sure if we ever got an explanation for that, even though it was mentioned in the papers the next day (though it was a little buried by other "events" at the game that day).
September 11th, 2012 at 1:29 PM ^
I had flown into NYC on the red eye from SF that morning and my travel department wasn't sure which flight I was on...that was an awkward call, after bitching about waking me up with only 2 hours sleep, they told me to turn on the TV.
I understood right away...tried to reach my friends who worked at Cantor and didn't get through. Then the towers collapsed and so did I.
Miss you Laurence and Marc! Always remembered...never forgotten.
September 11th, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^
I was walking down the hall on my way to AP Physics when someone came running down the hall screaming about what happened. Spent the next 4 hours of classes just watching tv coverage. I don't think there is another day where I can remember every minute of what I did or saw.
September 11th, 2012 at 2:27 PM ^
Aon Corporation, used to have offices on the 98th to 105th floors of the South tower. When the North tower was struck, they began evacuating the 1100 employees from their tower. 176 did not make it out before the South tower was struck. One of them was one of our VPs, and he was on the phone with 911 at the time of the South tower collapse, and the recording of this call that ends with the building collapse was one of the pieces of evidence used in the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui.
September 11th, 2012 at 2:57 PM ^
One of my college classmates was also a VP at Aon and died that day. She was one of the people in the skylobby waiting for elevators, a part of the building that sustained significant & immediate damage when the second plane hit. There were a handful of survivors/coworkers right there and they could later confirm for her family that she died immediately. In a very hard-to-articulate way that was a blessing for her friends and family, to not be checking hospitals or posting flyers in the days afterwards, to not always imagine the worst of what she may have gone through. They were spared that.
September 11th, 2012 at 8:23 PM ^
on your loss of your friend.
Also my condolences to all that lost friends and family in NYC, DC, & PA.
September 11th, 2012 at 2:39 PM ^
I visited NYC for my birthday on September 9th,2001. I was in 1st grade at the time and the only vivid memories i have of visiting are looking up at those towering buildings. Two days later i walk home from my first day of school to find my parents watching the replays of the collapse and just being in utter shock that those same buildings that had grabbed my attention were crashing to the ground on television. I thank god that i was not exposed to that horrific tragedy. God bless every family affected by the attacks.
September 11th, 2012 at 2:50 PM ^
The weather today is just like it was on that day . . . totally clear and sunny. I can't believe that was 11 years ago already. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost someone dear to them.
September 11th, 2012 at 3:52 PM ^
So much was happening so much chaos and insanity. People covered in dust and debris from the buildings. Firemen and Police officers frantic and doing what they could to get people to safety. It was as if time had come to a halt. 37 Minutes later another news flash came in. My teacher already shaking and in tears fell to her knees. PENTAGON STRUCK BY PLANE. ATTACKS ARE REPORTED TO BE ALL RELATED. NO. NO IMPOSSIBLE. How could another plane hit another building?! My teacher was crying, we were terrified. What was next a nuke?! A bomb? War?! Nobody moved or said a word. The only noises that could be heard was sobbing and sniffling. Everyone’s eyes were red and watery and cheeks puffy from the lines of tears that fell from our faces.
At 10:00 and 10:30 both towers of the World Trade Center collapsed on live TV before our eyes. More screaming and more crying followed by more tears. This was without a doubt the darkest moment in my life as a boy. Fall was no longer fun and September was no longer a good month. 2001 as I saw it was the worst year of my life.
The horror didn’t end even with the towers gone and Pentagon hit. A fourth report of a fourth plane which crashed in Pennsylvania surfaced. The plane was United 93. It was originally intended to hit the White House or the Capitol. Because of fearless resistance by the passengers on the hijackers the plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania. Because of this brave move the attack was thwarted but at the cost of innocent people losing their lives.
When the day was over American was silent. Families and friends lost loved ones on that day and the USA cried in unison. It was a day of terror turned to a day of sadness and loss. It was exactly how my grandpa depicted the day of Pearl Harbor. Everything he said he remembered has just happened.
On the 12th the nation rallied and stood as one country united in patriotism and strength of the people. American flags flew high in every business, school, stadium, government building and house. It was the moment we united as a country. It was sight that I’ll never forget. Today 11 years later the horror of that day even though over for the past 11 years still is embedded in our hearts and minds and it will always be there. We will never forget the faces and names of those lost on that day and the heroes who died saving and attempting to save those trapped in those buildings. That day we learned what exactly a true hero is and that day was full of heroes. Someday like my grandpa did with me in telling me the story of Pearl Harbor I will tell my children the story of September the 11th 2001. I’ll tell them what I saw and how we must never forget those lost and the heroes who died on that day. We must never forget this day and what it means and always remember the sacrifice given for the lives lost on this day. Never forget September the 11th 2001.
September 11th, 2012 at 11:40 PM ^
Anybody at the Western game two weeks later?
The most emotional moment I remember outside of the actual day was the silence in Michigan Stadium. The pain and sorrow was tangible but so was the resolve...
too bad that was the last time we, the people, were angelic; afterward we had wars to fight and destiny to manifest...
jdon
September 12th, 2012 at 1:02 AM ^
I was on my way out the door for work when I saw on the TV that a plane had crashed into the WTC. It reminded me of newspaper clippings I had seen about an Army Air Force plane that had crashed into the Empire State Building during WW II. It was a strange thing for a plane to hit a skyscraper, but apparently not unprecedented.
I stayed to watch the evolving story on TV. After a time I saw the image of a large aircraft out of the corner of my eye on TV heading toward the WTC. I thought to myself "That's a good idea, a tanker plane like they use for forest fires to try to put out the fire". When it hit the other tower of the WTC, I realized it was no tanker. We were under attack.
My wife worked on Capitol Hill in DC. I called her and told her to leave immediately, the USA was under attack and she was at a prime target. As I was talking to her, there were reports of an explosion in DC which people at the time thought was at the State Department. All her normal routes home were blocked. I stayed with her on her cell and got out a street map and navigated her through the back streets of DC until she worked her way home. It took hours.
Two days later we visited the site of the Pentagon attack, and a month later we visited Ground Zero. In both cases what I remember most was the smell. I used to make coffee by boiling water in a metal pot on the stove. One time I left it on the stove too long and all the water boiled away and the metal pot started to melt. That was the smell.