We Will Never Forget: A Moment of Silence For 9/11
For many of us, it’s hard to believe that nearly 12 years have passed since the United States was brutally and deliberately attacked by a group of al Qaeda terrorists on September 11th, 2001.
In the short span of a few hours, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in a series of coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a foiled attempt to hijack Flight 93, which later crashed in an open field in Western Pennsylvania. The immediate evacuation of the White House and U.S Capitol, the grounding of all incoming flights across the continental U.S., and scores of news reports pouring in from around the country quickly showed the gravity of the situation.
If the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was “a date which will live in infamy,” then the date of September 11th is one that will be seared into our minds for all eternity as it marks the single greatest loss of life from a foreign attack on domestic soil.
As with other unforgettable events in history, such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, many of us remember exactly what we were doing and exactly how we felt when we first heard the news. What do you remember from 9/11?
Theresa Sullivan (APHA trainer and judge) “I was at home, and I turned on the early morning news on the west coast. I thought it was a joke or an advertisment for an upcoming movie. It was so unreal. I was scared and didn’t know what to do. I called my sisters and brother on the way to the barn. I was going as fast as I could go. I remember every minute of that horrible morning. It has changed so many people in the way we look at things now and how much we really do appreciate our neighbors. The US really did unite after that.”
Erin Bradshaw (APHA amateur)– “I was sitting in science class in intermediate school on 9/11. I believe I was in fifth grade. I remember being really confused because I was so young and not sure what was happening. I remember the principal coming over the [intercom] and having all of the teachers tune their televisions to the local news stations. Shortly after, I remember everyone being released from class and going home confused and afraid. My parents explained to me what was going on, and I remember crying. It was the most surreal day of my life. I thought our country was going to crumble that day. I remember President Bush addressing the nation and announcing that America was possibly going to war.”
Brittany Lofton (AQHA amateur)– “I was at home with my mom working on school work. I remember walking into my parent’s room to ask her a question. She was sitting on the bed just staring at the TV. I didn’t really understand what was happening at first. I thought she was watching a movie. Then, I realized what was going on. I was in shock and didn’t know what was going to happen next. My heart broke for all of those people and their families. I knew that our nation would never be the same. That day is something we should never forget.”
Brittany Barker (AQHA amateur)- “I was at Findlay between classes. I was walking back to my dorm when my mom called to tell me about the first plane. A group of us turned the TV on in the common room and watched the second plane crash into the second tower. They cancelled the rest of our classes that day. I was so shocked that what was happening was real that it took a couple of days to sink in.”
Brianna Dalton (AQHA amateur)- “I was in school, eighth grade to be exact. All I remember is someone walking in the classroom and telling my teacher, Mrs. Hootman, to turn on the television. She turned it on just in time for our class to see the second plane crash into the tower. I wasn’t quite sure what I was watching. I was confused and shocked after I realized what just happened. The principal announced over the PA system alerting teachers that parents may pick up their kids. Unfortunately, I lived 30 minutes from school, so I wasn’t able to be picked up until after school ended.”
Robin Robinett (APHA amateur)- “I was a teacher’s aide in an elementary school. I was getting the TV ready to watch a movie with the kids. The news was on, and I thought it was a preview for a TV show. I just stood there and watched with some other teachers and aides in shock.”
June Liston (AQHA amateur)- “I remember laying over with my husband and my horse Cool in La Mesa, NM. We were on our way home from a trail clinic at John Briggs’s [place]. My mom called us at about 7:15 pm. I had just fed. She said we were at war and hijackers had United and American planes and were crashing them as weapons. As United pilots, my husband and I were reeling. We loaded up Cool and headed home. I think everyone we ever knew called us to see if we were flying. I don’t think today will ever be easy. We will never forget!”
This morning, we would like to take a moment to remember the lives of those who were lost and to honor those who exhibited selfless courage and incredible valor in an effort to save countless lives.
Click here to view an interactive timeline of events from the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
Click here to view the Budweiser Clydesdales Salute to 9/11.
