What Do You Remember About Sept. 11, 2001?
The day of the terrorist attacks is one many will never forget, including former mayor Carol Lombardi. Share your story here.
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10 years ago, no one knew what was about to happen in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. No one knew what changes were about to come for the United States.
Shortly before 8 a.m. central time on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, news went out that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. Within 15 minutes, a second plane crashed into the second tower. Many television news programs, already covering the first crash, showed the second crash live.
As the morning went on, a third hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth crashed in a field about 80 miles away from Pittsburgh.
The country's air space was shut down, stranding President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara in the Milwaukee area.
The attacks were the impetus for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They heightened racial and religious tensions. But they also saw people pull together in extraordinary ways to help.
A decade later, many remember where they were when they heard of the attacks, what that day was like, and the emotions that came after. For some, the impact didn't fade.
When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Waukesha Mayor Carol Lombardi received phone call after phone call from concerned citizens who wanted to know what she would do if more planes were headed toward Chicago or, even closer, to Milwaukee. She expressed confidence in the city’s recently adopted emergency management plan, and coordinated a prayer vigil that night at Carroll University for community members to pray for the victims, their families, the first responders and everyone involved. The community came together that day, she said, but in the years after, people started to forget. That’s why several years ago, she coordinated Waukesha County Remembers 9/11 – an annual event marking the terrorist attacks. The event respects those who lost their lives on 9/11 and pays tribute to those in Waukesha County who daily put their lives at risk to serve and protect others in the community.
Read more stories about how Sept. 11 affected people in the area in these stories from Patch.
Brookfield: From Tragedy Comes Inspiration
Brookfield: Helping Firefighters Cope
Fox Point: Rabbi Remembers His Brother-In-Law
Greenfield:Firefighter Recalls 9/11/02 Trip to Ground Zero Part 1 and Part 2
Menomonee Falls: Local Company Has an Impact
Muskego: Anniversary Has Deep Meaning for Veteran
Muskego: Another Day to Pray
Muskego: Tess Corner Firefighters Remember
Muskego: Facing 9/11 Every Day
Oak Creek: From Oak Creek to Afghanistan
Port Washington: Memories Fly Back
Shorewood: A Picture Worth a Thousand Stories
Sussex: Making Sure We Don’t Forget
Whitefish Bay: Impact Still Strong for Local Firefighters
Waukesha: Mayor Recalls Community’s Reaction
Wauwatosa: Twin Towers Steel Makes Public Debut
What do you remember about Sept. 11, 2001? A decade later, how do you think the attacks are still being felt?
michaelm
4:20 pm on Friday, September 2, 2011
I was lived near San Francisco and worked in the city. I saw the first plane crash on TV and remember thinking how terrible that was, and strange. Like many I rode BART trains into the city for work. I was in the middle of the tunnel when the rest of the news had broken and panic set in for San Francisco. In part because of community ego, (San Francisco was openly offended when they were not attacked and everyone there was sure they would be next because of self-important sensibilities there).
This had everyone scared and many making rash decisions. For example BART shut down all trains wherever they were, I was in the middle of the tunnel. Then others would restart the system and other managers stop it again. By the time I got to my station the Police and National guard were already there with tactical gear and guns. That was scarier to most than the threat of attack as S.F. also has an unhealthy fear of even the sight of an armed policemen let alone National guardsmen protecting them. Protests were happening within hours as thats another thing they like to do gridlocking the city.
My office decided to close so I spent hours getting through the mess to get back home. Mind you nothing happened in S.F. but that never stopped them from panicking or protesting.
We were glad to move away, it's a great place to visit but a terrible place when something goes awry, and sadly I've felt ashamed by the selfish attitudes instead of real compassion for NY
Philip Oresick
3:44 pm on Sunday, September 4, 2011
I remember some things a lot different 10 years ago. I remember seeing President Bush reading at an elementary school, then not looking at all shocked when told of the attack. I also remember seeing smoke coming out of the lower half of building 7 BEFORE the towers came down. I also remember seeing the towers coming down as perfect as a demolition would take place. I also remember that while the planes came in for their attack there were no Air Force planes sent up to intercept these planes. Why? They were all out on training missions at the same time and over 100 miles away. I also remember the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania was totally destroyed with no evidence or identification found showing what this plane was. I also remember an interview with a man who was on the 8th floor of building 7 before the planes crashed that heard an explosion and was told to leave by a building security man. This man along with another witness mysteriously died right before the 911 commission came out with their report. I remember that all the steel from the Towers was shipped to Europe and sold without being analyzed. We still do not know how the Towers fell as they did. Many loved ones, relatives, and friends of the victims who died as a result of this attack are still looking for the truth as to what really happened on 9/11.
We as citizens should also demand that the truth be told. Each of us should do everything we can to find the truth.
Philip