Where were you on 9/11?

[Louie and me]

I was at work when a co worker said that her husband had called to say that two planes had hit the World Trade Centre. We were all skeptical that two planes would crash at the same time so we went to the presidents office (he had a TV) and turned it on to see replay after replay of the second plane flying straight into the tower. It was horrifying enough to see the people leaping from the building but devastating to see both towers collapse and realize how many people would have been killed, rescuers included. There were many tears. It was only later we learned of the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania crash. Since Toronto is only about 500 miles from New York and we worked on the 22nd floor of an office building we were sent home as were many workers in highrises in the city. Since no planes were allowed to fly over US airspace for many hours, most planes were diverted to various airports in Canada including Pearson International (the Toronto airport).

[RICHARD]

In the days after 9/11 I slept with the TV on. Somehow I thought that I would be able to get the first news about anything that would happen after the initial attack.

I woke up late one night and saw a tiny clip of an interview with a construction worker on the streets of NY.

The woman reporter was talking to a construction worker and asked him about going back into ruins to look for survivors.

He answered, in a giant, thick Aussie accent-and I paraphrase here-

"I have to go back, those are my mates in there...."

[K9karen]

I was at work as a corporate travel agent. When all airports closed, we had stranded clients calling us, angry that they couldn't get home. Like it was our fault. Grown executives yet! But don't think everyone knew the seriousness of it immediately. There are only a few occurences that I still remember like it was yesterday, and this, of course, is one. I put a few Flags out already. Candles are ready.

[chocolatepuppy]

I was at work. I work in a factory. Someone from the office came through and told all of us. They had a tv turned on in the conference room and told us we could go in there and watch the reports on our breaks.