UPSers. Your Stories From September 11, 2001 Attack On The USA!

[anonymous6]

I was getting out of the shower and preparing to drop my son off at school on my way to work when my wife called me crying from her car to tell me what she was hearing on the radio. I turned the TV on and watched for a few minutes and tried to explain to my son what was going on. That day, Sept 11th of 2001, was his 10th birthday, and we had gotten a box of cupcakes and some balloons for him to share at school during their lunch break. It felt bizarre and wrong to walk in to school with him carrying balloons and cupcakes while the whole fuc&%ing world seemed to be falling apart, but I really didnt know what else to do. We wound up still having a party for him that night but it was a rather subdued affair.

When I was 10 it seemed like there was nothing to worry about. Our house was never locked up. My Dad left the keys in the car. We used to watch WW2 movies on Sunday and knew the USA was inpenetrable.

 

[anonymous6]

I was asleep after having PT in the morning for ROTC. My roommate came into my room to wake me up saying that we were at war. I was like get the friend out of my room. Then he said look at me. I saw the seriousness in his eyes. We went into the living room and watched as the 2nd plane hit. I remember just feeling the floor drop out. I immediately called my exgirlfriend bc she worked in a building across the street from the WTC. she thankfully answered and said that she had a meeting uptown and wasn't there. Immediatel after that my mom and dad called and I don't remember what was talked about. The rest of the day was a blur.

What I am still amazed at after all these years how emotional it still is. I've been a lucky man who married an amazing woman, had 3 beautiful and healthy children. I truly feel as I am a blessed man. Just the other day my wife and I watched "Extremely loud and incredibly close". We both cried alot. This is our Pearl Harbor moment. This is our assassination of JFK moment. This was the day that a sort of innocence was taken from the USA. This was the moment that touched us collectively as a nation. This is where everything changed.

And now I have the extremely difficult job of trying to explain this to my 9 yr old son. He said that he hates the people who did this. And although we try not to teach our children hate, I cannot disagree with him. I too hate those people. What have we learned from all this. What do we do to make a better world. How do we treat each other as human beings. These are all questions that are very hard to answer.

great great post.

 

[Packmule]

Watched the news in shock 11 years ago. I'm still angry.

 

[Richard Harrow]

I was two weeks shy of my 20th birthday, was on the job as a pre-loader for about one year at that point. Every day I drove home listening to one of the NYC radio stations, but for whatever reason, I didn't have the radio on that day. I got home, and turned on the TV literally 5 seconds before the second plane struck. A few minutes after that, the fire alarms started going in. I got changed, met up with my father (also a fireman) and went to our firehouse. The volunteer first aid squad I belonged to at that time had already emptied their building of all 3 ambulances and were already at Liberty State Park receiving victims off of ferry boats. I didn't see either tower collapse, I was out of the room, but I'll never forget the sense of shock I felt. I never thought something like that could happen.

We sent one fire engine from town to cover a firehouse in the Borough of Brooklyn that lost its entire crew that day. I didn't go to NYC, the engine that went was from a different company; they were out of town for about 24 hours. I did not know any victims personally, I do know that a teacher of mine from HS lost her son who worked for Cantor-Fitzgerald.

I remember I was angry at the time that I was unable to be in Manhattan to help that day, but now, I suppose I can consider it a blessing seeing what these poor men and women are dealing with these days. It's always been an honor to belong to the brotherhood of firefighters, and I always feel a little sense of pride when I see the pictures and videos of these guys and gals selflessly just doing what they do.

I know many of you are not from the tri-state area, but if you ever visit us here, you should make a point to see Ground Zero. It's an amazing tribute to that day, even if it dredges up some difficult memories or emotions.

 

[dilligaf]

George W. Bush: Bullhorn Speech to Emergency Rescue Workers at 9/11 - YouTube

 

[upsman68]

I had a vasectomy on Sept 7th. I took Monday off and came back to work on Tuesday. I WS extreme pain the whole day. A lot of my business closed and I had at least 50 send agains. I went home and say in recliner with my frozen peas on my sore area and watch the coverage. I will always remember that day.

 

[Bubblehead]

I will never forget, it was a day much like today, picture prefect weather.
It is never that simple.

 

[Brownslave688]

I know my parents always talk about where they were when Kennedy was shot I hoped I'd never have a day like that. I was sitting in english class in college waiting for it start. The teacher came in and told us about the first plane but had no details and she was going to teach class. Me and a few other baseball players got up and sprinted to my apartment. We literally opened the door just in time to watch the second plane hit the towers. Skipped all my classes that day(not all that rare) and watched the news. Somehow our coach thought it was a good a idea to play our game that day. I still resent him for being that insensitive. Had a future brother in law how was months away from basic training for marine infantry and a second cousin that was in one of the towers. I'm very thankful and lucky that I didn't lose anyone that day.

 

[Scottyhawk]

In 2001 I worked in NYC and my office was at 129 Nassau st which is two blocks from the World Trade Center complex. I was normally at my desk at 8 every morning but had a meeting in Long Island that morning and decided to drive straight to Long Island instead of leaving from my office. I was approaching the Varrazano bridge when the second plane hit and I saw the explosion. It was a scary moment as I had no clue what was happening as I was listening to a cd and not the radio, I put the radio on and the first word I heard was terrorism and that they were closing all bridges. I drove about 110 miles an hour back across the Gothels bridge and looked back and all you could see was smoke in the sky. I lost some friends that day

 

[texan]

In 2001 I worked in NYC and my office was at 129 Nassau st which is two blocks from the World Trade Center complex. I was normally at my desk at 8 every morning but had a meeting in Long Island that morning and decided to drive straight to Long Island instead of leaving from my office. I was approaching the Varrazano bridge when the second plane hit and I saw the explosion. It was a scary moment as I had no clue what was happening as I was listening to a cd and not the radio, I put the radio on and the first word I heard was terrorism and that they were closing all bridges. I drove about 110 miles an hour back across the Gothels bridge and looked back and all you could see was smoke in the sky. I lost some friends that day

So sad. I know you will never forget that.
My eyes watered a little visualizing you, your being overwhelmed, driving at 110 across that bridge.
The reports, the mayhem, your fear and your loss of friends.
I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[texan]

i remember calling the army recruiter and he said I was too old and that got me mad. they said they were inundated with calls to join.

I retired a few years before this after 20 plus years in the US Army.
I was Blessed that UPS hired me at 39.
I wanted to also go back in that day and the few months after that.
I also inquired what I could do. I was ready to leave UPS and go back in.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I retired a few years before this after 20 plus years in the US Army.
I was Blessed that UPS hired me at 39.
I wanted to also go back in that day and the few months after that.
I also inquired what I could do. I was ready to leave UPS and go back in.

And do what exactly? I admire your patriotism but there is little to nothing that one person can do.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

I know my parents always talk about where they were when Kennedy was shot I hoped I'd never have a day like that. I was sitting in english class in college waiting for it start. The teacher came in and told us about the first plane but had no details and she was going to teach class. Me and a few other baseball players got up and sprinted to my apartment. We literally opened the door just in time to watch the second plane hit the towers. Skipped all my classes that day(not all that rare) and watched the news. Somehow our coach thought it was a good a idea to play our game that day. I still resent him for being that insensitive. Had a future brother in law how was months away from basic training for marine infantry and a second cousin that was in one of the towers. I'm very thankful and lucky that I didn't lose anyone that day.

I agree with your coach's decision to play the game. It was essential to get on with our lives and playing the game would have gotten your mind off of the tragedy if only for a few hours.

My son had a close friend commit suicide shortly after the junior prom. His mom and I tried to be as supportive as we could but a week had passed and he was still moping around the house. We felt that he and his friends were milking this tragedy for all it was worth. He was scheduled to work but wanted to call in sick (again). I asked his mother to have him ready and I went over, picked him and up and brought him to work. I felt that he needed to get on with his life. He later thanked me (not that day---he was pissed) for what he called "tough love".

 

[menotyou]

And do what exactly? I admire your patriotism but there is little to nothing that one person can do.

That's just not true. One person started that fund for the school bus lady that was bullied. Look at what became of that. Just one example. Just one.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

That's just not true. One person started that fund for the school bus lady that was bullied. Look at what became of that. Just one example. Just one.

You have never served in the military and should leave the discussion on this particular topic to those who have.

 

[menotyou]

You have never served in the military and should leave the discussion on this particular topic to those who have.

One person can change things. Period.

 

[menotyou]

Let me add this--- One person did change the world. Osama Bin Laden.

 

[UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)]

One person can change things. Period.

One person within the framework of the US military cannot change a thing. It is only as a group can we hope to effect change.

 

[moreluck]

You have never served in the military and should leave the discussion on this particular topic to those who have.[/QUOTE

Who died and made you head of content ??????????????????

You've never been pregnant, yet I believe you posted about abortions.

We are allowed to have an opinion.......until Cheryl says we can't.

 

[menotyou]

One person within the framework of the US military cannot change a thing. It is only as a group can we hope to effect change.

Wrong.