Where Were You on that Fateful Day : My Memories of 9-11

So where were you on that fateful day
I was in Indiana many miles away
On the computer looking at the news
Two planes crashed into Twin Towers
Oh No - tell me it can't be true

It was so bizarre and so hard to fathom
So I headed for the break room where staff began to gather
Such horrific sights, the first news reports
The fate of those poor souls were in all our thoughts

We watched in shock as the first tower fell
Saw people jump to their death from that fiery hell
Then tower two as well collapsed and came down
With thick dust and smoke blowing all around

For days and weeks I was glued to the news
Watching updated reports and the rescue crews
Day after day saw the hopes fade away
Families and friends faces all filled with dismay

Thoughts of how evil some people can be
Still trouble my dreams and wake me from sleep
How they can murder in the name of their god
And they think they are heroes - it's horrifically odd

For my son the events also blew him away
Since he was looking to celebrate his 21st birthday
But instead nobody felt like raising a cheer
They were glued to the screens watching scenes filled with fear

Two years it has been since I visited Ground Zero
Where these terrors occurred and created so many heroes
At the Tribute Center and the Church of St. Pauls
It was almost impossible to speak at all

Looking at scenes from that sad tragic day
Just brought us to tears and took our words away
To try to talk I just choked without speech
And tears welled up and streamed down my cheeks

Being there on that spot made the events become real
And it's strange how events like that make you feel
Memories of that day will never fade away
I hope there's never another similar tragic day

On 11th September 2001 it was my son' s 21st birthday, and of course he never got to celebrate it. Today, 9 years later, he celebrates his 30th birthday.

I was at work in Indiana, and as usual early in the morning, I powered on my computer and checked the news back in the UK. I saw a headline that said two planes had struck the World Trade Center, and in disbelief I looked at more detail, assuming at that time they must have been light planes.

I told a good friend, then we headed to the break room to see if we could watch the news on the television in there, and people were already gathering.

It then became obvious that it was no freak accident involving two light planes, but full sized airliners that had been hi-jacked.

No work was done that day, and most people stood and watched the television at work as the events unfolded.

In September 2008 we visited Ground Zero, and the WTC Tribute Center with it's many items salvaged from the rubble, plus audio and video feeds, just hit us hard and brought it all back to life. We were unable to speak.

It still amazes me what evil things men will do in the name of their god, and how religious leaders can preach that these acts are heroic. I hope we never have to live through more horrific events like this.