Karaoke Forums

It's 9-11-06 the five year anniversary as all of you know I'm sure, I wanted to start a thread to share our stories about where we were and how it effect our lives individually.  


For me, I was with my mother, we were taking our trash to the compactor and she and I always blast the radio and sing as loud as we possibly can.  The song was so odd it was Rocky Mountain High by John Denver which later I found to be unbelievably eery since he died in a place crash.  Anyway they interrupted the song and explained how a plane had hit one of the towers my mother and I thought it was a prank but had an odd feeling about it so we rushed home and saw on the news just as the second plane hit the other tower and I remember just holding my mother and crying as we saw these people who decided it was better to die by jumping than staying in the burning building and I remember I just felt numb and in shock.  The news came about the pentagon and I just thought, "This is it, this has to be armageddon." The last flight touch me most of all, the news of flight 93 which was diverted from Washington and hit in a field in Pa and I just felt so much pride like I was on the plane and single handedly disrupted the terrorist's plan.


My aftermath involved giving as much blood as possible and making teddy bear care baskets with my mother.  And to my surprise it affected me even more than I would know that day.  Not many of you know me that well so it might be a surprise for you to know that I am married and I have a 2 year old daughter.  My husband spent 2 years  fighting in Iraq, he was there when we first declared War.  Ugh I have a hard time telling this without getting all worked up Anyway, through my husband I made many friends who were in the army with him and some of those friends I never saw again.  I remember my personal terror forced on me because my husband and my friends were called up to beat down the bullies that once again threatened our freedom.  For this I will always be proud but I must confess I look back at it all and I can't help but tear up and ask myself, "What kind of God be it mine or theirs would want to see this happen to his children?"  

Thanks for taking time to read my story and I can't wait to hear yours.

_________________
[scroll][glow=darkorchid]~I'm the girl your mother warned you about~[/scroll][/glow]

I was working at a local sportsplex.  Someone said a plane hit the world trade center.  We have one here in the city (as most cities do).  Then the person said no the one in NYC.  I thought he was making a joke.  I went to a TV in time to see a repeat of the first one, thinking some sort of weird accident occurred when the second happened.  I then knew it was an attack.  As soon as the announcement was made they were clearing the skies and locking down the lanes we immediately began preparing for the refugees (for the lack of a better word but to me that was exactly what they were).  I think where I was we had at least 300 people (our airport had 47 jet airliners from all over with over 7,000 passengers) at the sportsplex.  Our area opened our homes our recreation centers, etc.  Local businesses including Tim Hortons and McDonalds among many many others provided food and clothing and other services free of charge.  Many returned for vacations.  Your Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice is here to thank our community and President Bush was here a few years ago to do the same.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

I was at work that day...and the guy I was working for came and told me that someone had bombed the World Trade Center.  I thought he was joking...I didn't believe it...so I turned on the radio.  I don't remember much about the rest...I guess I was sorta in shock.  I do remember being so sad...crying...being angry...and yet so proud at the same time of my fellow Americans...the firefighters...the police officers...the everyday people who risked so much to help others...and especially those on board the flight that fought back.  All I can say is God Bless America and the American Spirit.  My heart goes out to everyone who lost a loved one on that day...it will never be forgotten...

_________________
[glow=violet] **Sing like nobody's listening...live like there's no tomorrow**[/glow]

I was also at work...I think it was about 9:00am.  I heard some co-workers talking very loudly about what was happening and it sounded like they were very upset, but I was in the middle of a phone conversation with a customer and couldn't make out what was happening.  When I finally found out, it was surreal. I felt very vulnerable.  It was like a horrible nightmare that you can't wake up from.  I work in a high-rise building near the airport and almost felt like we'd be targeted next.  It is such a scary feeling.  I wanted to go get my daughter from school and just hide.  They did let all the kids out early and Paul went and got her cuz I had to stay at work.  I felt so horrible for all those poor trapped people.  The confusion must have been so devastating.  We visited ground zero on our last trip to NY.  I stood there for what seemed like an eternity saying prayers for all those who lost their lives and those whose lives were touched by this horrible tragedy.  I pray that something like this never happens again.

_________________

I was still in bed - it was 5:45AM our time.  My wife was just stirring when she clicked on the tv so she could start getting ready.  All I heard her say was wow, the WTC was hit by a plane.  I kind of rolled over & looked & thought that is really sad.  I had worked the night before home at 2:30 so I rolled back over to try to get my last 2 hours sleep before going to my day job.  Then she smacked me in the head as she watched the 2nd plane yelling OMG!  I then got up out of bed at that point not believing my eyes.  
Being we both worked at the same place, we started getting ready for work - I was just going to go in with her that morning.  While she was getting ready, I was glued to the tv.  She was in the shower when I saw the Pentagon.  She rushed out.  I was on the phone to my parents asking if they could believe this (@$%&#!).  She got out enough to see the first tower go down.  Is was unreal how something so massive tumbled in seconds - so to speak.
We still continued to go to work, not really thinking I guess - we were working at  freight brokerage firm at the time.  We got to work to find out the 2nd tower went down.  Needless to say pretty much all freight wasn't moving the rest of that day & the boss sent us all home after we learned of the 4th plane.
We got our kids out of school/daycare & went home affixed to the tv the rest of the night & I think the rest of the week when we could.  Still had to work the next day.

Some of the Seattle skyscrapers were also evacuated - I think more of a precautionary measure.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I was going through my morning routine of coffee and checking the news channels etc. I became aware of it between the 2 towers and watched the second plane hit. During my long life many history changing events have happened. A gal cmae on im and said are you watching wahat do you think?  We are at war....

What blows my mind at a critical part of this war it is politics as usual as it was during nam.. Thousands werew killed in nam due to the political bs  and it is going on again But the thing is this is a whole lot more important than nam..I am so tired of that question Do you think we are safer?? It is nothing more than a political propaganda tool If asked I will ask the questions Do you think after 911 there are millionas of eyes watching for signs of terror.  Have you seen different races talents religions band together in a cause which has carried this great nation through times like these before? Have you witnessed a greater ability of the general populace to recognise shortcomings and corruptions in all government? You bet your sweet (@$%&#!) we are safer but the dems and reps better forget their personal political mud slinging bs and quibbling and become leaders like we have had before or it will be a long struggle.. As a people we need to quit depending on them (gov) and assume family responsibilties that they have no business in making decisions in and informing them what their real responsibilitiea are..

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Me too.  
We can't think it's not going to happen again - it has for years before & has since after, just not to that great extent.  
That day has changed the US & the world in many ways & while we can't live each day as IF it will happen again (life has to go on), we do have to expect it - sad to say.  As long as people believe the way the terroists do & carry events out in the name of their god, the potential threat/risk is always there.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

As long as there are people that disrespect humanity even going to the extent of blowing themselves up in the name of what they believe in, all bets are off that we are living in a safe world.  Although we must strive to continue to live normal lives, we must never again let our guard down.

_________________

Our home office is in Rockville, MD, just north of DC.  I had planned to fly in that morning, but I would have been late for my meeting so I flew in the night before (to National Airport which is 3 subway stops past the Pentagon).   As it was happening, they evacuated the building.  Went back to the hotel and watched the news.  Eventually went out to find something to eat - about every place was closed and there were fighters buzzing overhead.   Very eerie.   I called home to leave a message for the kids that I was okay.

I hooked up with another person from Chicago who was able to find a rental car (airport was closed and Amtrack was booked solid) at a gas station in Gaithersburg.  There were all kinds of people trying to get just about everywhere and there was much carpooling across country in the rentals.  We drove straight through and I got home around midnight that Thursday.

It was very chaotic, but everyone pulled together for each other.

_________________
Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

I was driving to work listening to Howard Stern. It was hard to believe that a plane crashed into a building. I watched the second plane on a TV in Radio Shack, they closed the mall. My friends and I went to our rehursal space and Rocked out most of the day, then we got drunk. It really didn't have any effect on me, except I was pissed I didn't get paid for that day of work.

I look back, and yeah it sucks, but I'm glad I didn't take the job I had interviewed for in Feb of 2001 or I would have been in there.

I was driving to work listening to Howard Stern on the radio and thought it was a repeat from 1993... there was no way something like this could happen.... I hadn't heard about the plane at first just caught that the WTC was on fire.... then he said a second plane just hit the South Tower.... I called into work and returned home. I watched the TV but continued listening to the radio because Howard had better coverage and he and the callers were saying and feeling the same things I was feeling.... anger, sadness, disbelief, and needless to say hopelessness. I have made it a point for the past 5 years to once again listen to the tape of that show and the next days show from the point he first mentioned the first plane crashing into the North Tower. I feel the same sadness and anger each time but also feel pride, pride in the men and women not only at each of the sites where we were attacked but in every American and the way we all became one... America stood in the face of the worst terrorist attack it's ever known and helped each other with donations of every type. I am proud of every American but find myself even more proud to say I am an American each Sept. 11 th. Never forget what happened that day, use it to feel pride and remember those who over all the years have gave us our greatest asset.....freedom.

Like a lot of people already mentioned, I was at work. When my co-worker told me  planes had slammed into the WTC I thought they were kidding.

I wish I had been right.

Here's an email that started recirculating recently - and it's true!!!!

America WAKE UP!

That's what we think we heard on the 11th of September 2001 and maybe it was, but I think it should have been "Get Out of Bed!" In fact, I think the alarm clock has been buzzing since 1979 and we have continued to hit the snooze button and roll over for a few more minutes of peaceful sleep since then.

It was a cool fall day in November 1979 in a country going through a religious and political upheaval when a group of Iranian students attacked and seized the American Embassy in Tehran. This seizure was an outright attack on American soil; it was an attack that held the world's most powerful country hostage and paralyzed a Presidency. The attack on this sovereign US embassy set the stage for the events to follow for the next 23 years.

America was still reeling from the aftermath of the Viet Nam experience and had a serious threat from the Soviet Union when then, President Carter, had to do something. He chose to conduct a clandestine raid in the desert. The ill-fated mission ended in ruin, but stood as a symbol of America's inability to deal with terrorism. America's military had been decimated and downsized / right sized since the end of the Viet Nam war. A poorly trained, poorly equipped and poorly organized military was called on to execute a complex mission that was doomed from the start.

Shortly after the Tehran experience, Americans began to be kidnapped and killed throughout the Middle East. America could do little to protect her citizens living and working abroad. The attacks against US soil continued.

In April of 1983 a large vehicle packed with high explosives was driven into the US Embassy compound in Beirut. When it explodes, it kills 63 people. The alarm went off again and America hit the Snooze Button once more. Then just six short months later a large truck heavily laden down with over 2500 pounds of TNT smashed through the main gate of the US Marine Corps headquarters in Beirut. 241 US servicemen are killed. America mourns her dead and hit the Snooze Button once more. Two months later in December 1983, another truck loaded with explosives is driven into the US Embassy in Kuwait, and America continues her slumber. The following year, in September 1984, another van was driven into the gates of the US Embassy in Beirut and America slept.

Soon the terrorism spreads to Europe. In April 1985 a bomb explodes in a restaurant frequented by US soldiers in Madrid. Then in August a Volkswagen loaded with explosives is driven into the main gate of the US Air Force Base at Rhein-Main, 22 are killed and the Snooze Alarm is buzzing louder and louder as US soil is continually attacked. Fifty-nine days later a cruise ship, the Achille Lauro is hijacked and we watched as an American in a wheelchair is singled out of the passenger list and executed. The terrorists then shift their tactics to bombing civilian airliners when they bomb TWA Flight 840 in April of 1986 that killed 4 and the most tragic bombing, Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 259. America wants to treat these terrorist acts as crimes; in fact we are still trying to bring these people to trial. These are acts of war ... the Wake Up alarm is louder and louder.

The terrorists decide to bring the fight to America. In January 1993, two CIA agents are shot and killed as they enter CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. The following month, February 1993, a group of terrorists are arrested after a rented van packed with explosives is driven into the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City. Six people are killed and over 1000 are injured. Still this is a crime and not an act of war? The Snooze alarm is depressed again.

Then in November 1995 a car bomb explodes at a US military complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia killing seven service men and women. A few months later in June of 1996, another truck bomb explodes only 35 yards from the US military compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It destroys the Khobar Towers, a US Air Force barracks, killing 19 and injuring over 500.

The terrorists are getting braver and smarter as they see that America does not respond decisively. They move to coordinate their attacks in a simultaneous attack on two US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. These attacks were planned with precision, they kill 224. America responds with cruise missile attacks and goes back to sleep.

The USS Cole was docked in the port of Aden, Yemen for refueling on 12 October 2000, when a small craft pulled along side the ship and exploded killing 17 US Navy Sailors. Attacking a US War Ship is an act of war, but we sent the FBI to investigate the crime and went back to sleep.

And of course you know the events of 11 September 2001. Most Americans think this was the first attack against US soil or in America. How wrong they are. America has been under a constant attack since 1979 and we chose to hit the snooze alarm and roll over and go back to sleep.

In the news lately we have seen lots of finger pointing from every high official in government over what they knew and what they didn't know. But if you've read the papers and paid a little attention I think you can see exactly what they knew. You don't have to be in the FBI or CIA or on the National Security Council to see the pattern that has been developing since 1979. The President is right on when he says we are engaged in a war. I think we have been in a war for the past 23 years and it will continue until we as a people decide enough is enough.

America has to "Get out of Bed" and act decisively now. America has changed forever. We have to be ready to pay the price and make the sacrifice to ensure our way of life continues. We cannot afford to hit the Snooze Button again and roll over and go back to sleep. We have to make the terrorists know that in the words of Admiral Yamamoto after the attack on Pearl Harbor "that all they have done is to awaken a sleeping giant."

Thank you very much.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I was sleeping at work after a long night of karaoke.      Our building is about 600 feet from the main complex.   So we didn't get too many boss type vistors.   We had a color TV set up, with a roller massage recliner, refridgerator, Microwave.    So my co worker must have heard it on the radio and then turned on the TV.   He came and woke me up from a nice peaceful sleep, to see the nightmare of reality.    

WE are still at war with the radicals.    We are not taking the stand we should be.   We should be much tougher on our enemies.    Kill them all til they quit.   It's the only thing anybody understands.    If I kill enough of you, you will quit or die with the rest.   You decide.

I happened to turn on the Television around 10 or 11 (something like that) on the morning of 9-11-01.  Was doing the regular flipping thru the channels to get to the reason I turned on the TV in the first place... Weather channel... All the channels had photo's of the two towers.... I didn't get it... I immediately called my folks and asked the normal question.. "Mom, what the heck's going on ?   Why are they showing Towering Inferno type surreal backdrops on all the channels?" It didn't register  until I spoke with the folks.  I live within 60 miles of NYC... Stuff like that just doesn't happen (so I thought)





That's the thing.  I was detached.  I couldn't believe it. It didn't sink in.  Especially when they showed people falling or jumping from the upper floors.. I couldn't believe it was happening. I hate to say this, but it's true.  We get desensitized by Hollywood, and when a real tragedy happens, the mind sort've shuts down emotional capacity and detaches as a coping mech...sort've like going into shock... It just doesn't hit you at first.  I couldn't feel it.  In Ct.  it actually took many people driving past where the towers once stood in Manhattan from 1975 (til that time) for this to register as real.

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I was on my way to work and I heard about the first tower on the radio.   I called home and told Rich to turn on the TV.  He did.  He thought I was nuts, he thought it was a fluke. I tried to explain what I had heard on the radio. He watched the second plane hit and freaked out with me on the phone.  When I got to work I ran into the office yelling that the towers had been hit.  All of us sat in the conference room for several hours just glued to the TV.  

We really couldn't beleive our eyes.  I never did see the people jumping.  I guess my mind wasn't registering it.  

I went home and picked the kids up from school and we all just sat together.  It still bothers me.  One of the things that bothers me the most is that they banned the video from being shown on TV.  I think that is wrong.  It happened, it's a part of our country's history at this point and I don't think we should ever forget the horror of that day so that we can keep ourselves safe in the future.

_________________
Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!

I was on duty on my ship on the 10th, and had just gotten back from PT early on the morning of the 11th.  I had gone up to my shop after hearing a "plane crashed into the World Trade Center".  When I saw the second plane hit, I grabbed my cell, called my sis and mom, and told them to check the news...and that I didn't know if I or my now-brother-in-law would be able to call again for a while.  We went to the highest alert status and stayed there for quite a while.

It was a very interesting time to be in the military

_________________
[glow=white][scroll]Live, laugh, and love today--just in case tomorrow doesn't make it[/scroll][/glow]

dont know if anybody posted this yet but it's interesting ....very ineresting

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 3848835726

I watched the whole thing.......... I leaning toward the video evidence





I wonder if that's the reason they made them take it off of the television.     So we wouldn't start putting two and two together......

Conspiracy theorists hit yet again.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger