Where Were You on 9/11 and How'd You Learn About it?

[longfisher]

I"ll start.

I took the day off from work as the forecast seemed right for some bay fishing. So, I got up at about 3:30 a.m. and pulled out of the drive headed to the Gulf.

I launched about 5:30 a.m. but there were thunderstorms and associated high winds and waves across the bay and this tends to make the water murky here in Texas. So, after about an hour I decided to try the jetties instead, perhaps outside the channel where the water might be cleaner. I guess it was mid-morning or thereabouts.

I didn't have a radio on, not even the VHF. Forgetful about the VHF, I guess. So, I had no clue whatsoever about what was happening in NYC.

As I approached about midway down the jetty system and headed towards what's called the boat cut to get out into the Gulf I noticed a Coast Guard Cutter steaming across the mouth of the ship channel near the end of the jetties. I didn't think much of it.

But then I saw a Coast Guard rigid bottom inflatable coming down the channel from the direction of the cutter and in my general direction. The only thing remarkable about them when I first saw them was that they were going unusually fast with the result that the crew was bouncing all over the place due to the swells in the channel.

Then I saw a 50 caliber machine gun mounted and manned on the boat (later I was told I exaggerated in the heat of the moment and that the mounted gun was more likely a light machine gun of M-60 heritage). Furthermore, the boat was clearly headed right for me. I was shocked. What the Devil had I done wrong to warrant being stopped by an armed government vessel while underway.

As they approached closer and as we both throttled down I saw the crew reach for small arms. I thought I was in the soup and that a terrible case of mistaken identity had taken place. I wasn't carrying any drugs or contraband.

As they approached closer the Boatswain or his mate, one, picked up a bullhorn and ordered me to stop. Then they ordered me to either return to my port or be boarded. I asked what the Devil was going on and he repeated his order to return to port only in a more threatening tone. I realized he was in no mood to chat and complied.

As the fishing inside the bay was all but ruined by the murky water I returned to the launch and pulled the boat. After about a half hour's drive back towards home I turned on the radio and for a moment didn't quite understand why there was just news and no music on a channel that prides itself with more music and less chat.

Then I started to make out the topic of the broadcast. A plane had run into one of the twin towers. No one really knew why or how.

Then, as I listened, another ran into it. At that point some folks realized that it was deliberate and the tone of the broadcast became much more stident. We'd been attacked.

I returned home, left the boat on the trailer and went inside to watch the news. Of course, shortly thereafter I saw people jumping from the towers and then the towers went down one after the others. It was an absolutely astonishing sight.

After a while, I turned it off. It's not that I couldn't stand watching it anymore or anything like that. I'd just seen enough.

Emotionally I was caught between abject fury and wonderment as to who might do such a thing and why? Over time, of course, that became clearer.

One things for sure, that was the most eventful fishing trip I'd ever taken in my life. And, I hope to never have another like it.

LongFisher

[hotshot1]

I was home saw it on the tv, My Brother in Law was there but he got off at the stop before the WTC. He was there when the plane hit and high tailed it out of the city on one of the last cabs . I watched for a little bit then got too tired off it all and had to do something took the boat out to the upper Raritan bay and caught a few weakfish and watched to Smoke blow out to sea from NY. pretty awesome, but troubling , looking site.

[BigSteads]

Spanish course 3rd course of the day sitting when we heard the first plane hit over an announcement, our instructor actually turned the news on as the second plane was heading toward the trade centers, then the rest everyone knows what happened after that. I remember going home and sitting outside and watching the fighters go by heading out of Andrews, till this day I will never forget the sound of them coming over my house in Silver Spring that morning/afternoon.

little would I know, 2 years later I would be looking at the failed structures of the building up close and personal.

[jawz12]

driving to avalon,going to a customer's boat...listening to howard stern-turned around went home,walked in the door,flipped on cnn,watched the tower fall-demolition style... only thought i had was for the people trapped and the rescue workers...

sad day,very sad day...

[treyfry]

i had just made it back to my apartment from my first class of the day at ole miss, when i got there my three room mates were glued to the tv because the first plane had just hit, i sat down with them and that was when the second plane hit. we were all in shock and later found out that classes were cancelled for the rest of the day. we sat around and watched the coverage until it was time for football practice, we had auburn that saturday.

[Bird Dog]

I was a freshman in college in a history class. No one found out until after class. I was walking back to my room, passed my neighbor and he said that the WTC was attacked. I immediately put the news on when I got in.

[luv2fish67]

Had just got out of the shower, and seen the tragedy unfold on TV. It was hard to believe it was really happening before my very eyes. Also hard to believe it was 8 years ago......where does the time go??

[Double D]

I was supposed to take the PATH from Newark to the WTC that day for a project nearby. But I rescheduled due to a home inspection on the house we were buying. Saw smoke on the horizon from my office, but didn't know what it was until I turned on the radio on my way to the inspection.

Watched in shock on TV with the home inspector and seller

[NJPete]

On the New Jersey Turnpike western spur by exit 15W on the bridge overlooking the city. Watched in amazement. To this day, it still seems very sureal.

[Questsportfishing]

listening to K.I.S.S. Country on the radio .. me and Jimmy Lewis were ripping out the back deck on his boat and replacing it.. we had been working since early and when the dj started talking i thought that a small plane had hit the tower. we were working with glass so we couldn't stop. when they started talking about it more then the other plane hit the second tower. my heart sank and we hardly said a word to each other just kept on working and listening. with a hard days work behind us and so many emotions running through my head, I walked out and the security guard was there by the door and as he spun the tv around to where I could see it and actually watched a replay of the towers fall I sank to my knees.. I am a pretty tough but I drove home with rage and tears because I lost 3 friends in the fitzgerald office that had just fished with me again for the 5th year in a row they were on the top floors.. I miss them and the guys I don't even know that risked life and family to help out other people that day. we lost so much in just a short time. I cannot even begin to tell you how proud I am to be an American after watching later on on how hard the men and women worked day and night to find our people and the compassion and guts it took to do the search and clean up of such a disaster. I also respect every man or woman each day that puts their life on the line for our freedom. I may not know them but they are in my heart and prayers.