The Times Free Press asked readers where they were and what they remember from Sept. 11, 2001. Out of more than 220 responses received, these are some of those memories. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
Alan Haws"I actually witnessed the plane hit the Pentagon from my office window in Arlington, Va. I worked for USA Today. They were headquartered in Arlington and my 19th-floor office faced Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. I had a few of my staff sitting down for a meeting. We had a small TV tuned watching the NY attacks when we saw the plane come into view. Initially, we thought the plane was trying to land at Reagan National Airport. However, it never reduced speed and it became very clear that they were going too fast to land. The plane continue to lower in altitude until it became treetop high and then we saw the explosion and fireball. We all were stunned from what we just saw. At that point, we evacuated the building and were concerned that other planes may be targeting the D.C. area."
Deborah Richardson"On Sept. 11, I was sitting at my desk at the FCC in Washington, D.C. Our fire alarm went off for us to leave the building. The plane hit the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and I lost a dear co-worker. Rest in Heaven, Karen Kincaid and everyone that lost their lives that day. I have retired and moved to Georgia. This pandemic now has changed my life. Trying to stay focused and safe."
Benjamin Haynes"I was a Special Agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assigned to the Athens, GA office. I was sitting at my desk listening to the radio as they were talking about a freak air accident when the first plane hit. I was listening live to WSBAM750 when the second plane hit. I was in shock and everyone in the office ran to the breakroom to turn on the news. All of the agents went home around lunch and made sure we had at least three days worth of clothes packed and loaded in our vehicles in case we were sent to help with any part of the investigation."
(Read more 9/11 20th anniversary coverage from the Times Free Press here)
Meagan Jolley"I was in class at Lee University when a student ran onto the stage to warn everyone of the first attack, at the time not knowing it was an attack. We then dismissed and went next door to the regularly scheduled chapel service where we watched the coverage of the 2nd plane hitting the Towers. Many students had loved ones in the Towers or surrounding areas. Afterward, a local radio station was reporting the Capitol Building had also been hit. I remember calling my parents and my dad said to go get gas, and sure enough there were lines at the pumps. Three weeks later I was in NYC (for a previously scheduled trip) and will never forget the sight and smoke smell of the (still) burning rubble near Battery Park."
Shani Hedden Palmer"I woke to the phone ringing, my roommate's mother was calling, urgently telling us to turn the television on to CNN. We rushed to do so and could not believe what we were seeing, planes crashing into the 2 towers, alerts about possible other hijacked aircraft in the air.I called my work and told them I was not leaving my house until I knew where those other planes were headed. Could one be headed to Oak Ridge? It crossed my mind and my survival instincts kicked in. My plan was to start driving away from any targeted areas if any ended up being close to me. I became more security-focused and cautious and began to pay more attention to world news. I later entered aviation and became an FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher and airline ground security coordinator. The entire experience provided emotional pain, fear, and anger, but ultimately it deepened my compassion towards others and strengthened my resolve as a US citizen to be vigilant and serve society in a more valuable way."
Greg Cantrell"I had just started my first year ever of teaching high school English to 9th graders at Meigs County High School. The whole event happened during my planning period and several teachers were watching the events happen live on the principal's (Don Roberts)small TV set. Days later, after the initial shock, the community came together with several patriotic events. Students circled the school holding hands in a symbol of solidarity and strength."
Marina Stump"I was actually in Russia as a 10-year-old waiting on my adoption to go through with an American family when we went on lock down at the orphanage watching the planes hit the towers."
Andy Carson"I was working at Chattanooga Fire Station #5 on Willow St. Former Fire Chief Jim Coppinger and former Mayor Bob Corker were there to discuss the future of the city. About 20 minutes into their visit, our station phone rang. One of my coworker's dad called and told us to turn on the news. Approximately 5 minutes after turning on the TV, the 2nd plane hit. We all watched in disbelief. Then the news reported about the plane that hit the Pentagon. No one knew what to say. Then we received multiple calls of fire alarms and bomb threats. We ran calls for a solid 2-3 hours. Once we made it back to the station, I remember talking to my mom on the phone and hearing her tone of voice. I think she was worried about me, like any mother would be. My wife had jury duty that day and they stopped the hearing and excused them. Someone told her that a plane had hit the Trade Center. She initially thought of the one downtown. Then she saw the news and was horrified yet relieved at the same time."
Ali Harris"I was in Mrs. Nancy Frey's fifth-grade classroom at Mayfield Elementary school. The whole school was watching the news, even in the cafeteria. One boy in my class was crying and my teacher explained to us that what he was feeling is called "empathy." Prior to that day, I'd never even heard of the Twin Towers. I rode the bus home and walked in to find my older brother, who was checked out of school that day, and my mother watching the news. I remember being upset that he was checked out because, in my mind, I thought the terrorists were going to launch more attacks at any moment. It was a very scary and confusing time for me, as I had no real way of understanding what was happening or what it meant for our country. Fast forward to Fall of 2020 when I was sitting in a classroom at Lee University with students who weren't even born when 9/11 happened. Our professor played a clip of the towers falling, and I couldn't hold back my tears. As I recall, he was trying to make a point about the importance of learning about and understanding our history. It felt surreal to relive those moments, as I looked out the window of the Leonard Center to see the old Mayfield school building."
Tim White"For me, 9/11/2001 started like any other day at the United States Naval Academy. It was a normal, beautiful day much like any other. As I was walking to class in Annapolis, I saw one of my good friends, Steven. He said, "Did you hear what happened?" He said somewhat confused, "An airplane crashed into one of the world trade center towers." When I arrived in class, my teacher had the television on and all of my classmates were watching the live news feed - dumbstruck at what we saw. The first tower was on fire. As we watched, we saw the UA 175 crash into the south tower and ultimately both towers collapse. 9 days later, on Sept. 20, 2001, President Bush declared "War on Terror." Never did I think when I joined the Navy in 1998 that combating terrorism would characterize my service to our great nation. I will never forget the victims of terrorism on 9/11, and I will always remember my brothers who died on 7/16 and their families. May we never, for their sake, allow terrorism to control us. May we always be #ChattanoogaStrong because we are stronger together."
Daniel Waller"My parents were missionaries in Guyana, South America. My brother and I were watching Toy Story 2 on VHS when they came back from the store in tears. We changed over to the news right as the second tower was hit. Our Muslim neighbors were very supportive and kind during the aftermath."
Ally Dunlay"I was in my first-grade classroom and the other first-grade teacher ran into our room and told my teacher to turn on the radio. My teacher just sat in silence listening and then tried to explain to us what was happening by drawing the Twin Towers and an airplane on the whiteboard."
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"I remember walking into work at Chattanooga CARES right around 9 a.m. There was a TV in the lobby and I saw the towers coming down right then. My son was just 21 months old and I'd dropped him off at day care just 20 minutes or so before. I had a strong urge to go back and pick him up and hug him."
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"My brother and I with a few cousins were having lunch at a Chinese restaurant outside of St. John's Newfoundland Canada when another cousin called and told us that a plane had flown into one of the world trade center buildings. While on the phone, the cousin told us another one had just flown into the other building. We spent most of the day with relatives watching the events of the day. We have an Uncle who was a Lt. fireman with the FDNY at the time of the incident. My brother and I are veterans. We had cousins who worked at the St. John's International airport and were receiving planes in route to the United States. They eventually unloaded the planes and found accommodations for the passengers at hotels, and individual homes. We have relatives who worked for the Canadian government who helped us get back into the states."
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"Teaching in Northern Virginia. Many students, faculty and staff had loved ones working at the Pentagon. We also had a large Pakistani community in our school. The main thing I remember is the fear in the eyes of parents, grandparents and neighbors rushing to the school to grab their children. I also had a friend who worked at the Pentagon and lost 30 of his coworkers in the attack. He missed a meeting where the plane hit. Another friend also missed a meeting in the same area and his life was spared. It was a tough day, but thankful for God's protection of friends and family. We also had a former teacher who moved to Shanksville, PA and worked in the elementary school near where the plane crashed in PA. Thankfully, his life was spared."
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"I was in my office at Unum. My office radio was tuned to a local talk radio program. Suddenly the 'Breaking News' promo music was playing and I turned the volume up just a bit and moved closer to the radio. I listened as the announcer described the situation in New York City as a passenger plane had crashed into Tower One building of the Trade Center - immediate fear, total confusion and numerous thoughts flashed through my mind and I found myself walking into my boss's office. I related the news report to him and he was running out of his office. I returned to my office and asked my staff to bring their chair and come to my office. We listened to more and more news reports all day. We did have prayer for the repose of those souls who were killed, for comfort for their families and for our beloved America. At 15 minutes prior to the ending of the workday, all employees gathered on each floor and sang 'God Bless America.'"
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"I was at LAX getting ready to fly back to Chattanooga when I spoke to colleagues at home who informed me about the planes flying into buildings. Just then they announced that all flights out of LAX would be canceled and I had to remain in Los Angeles staying with friends for four days. The skies were eerily silent during that time which was really unusual for Los Angeles, not to hear airplanes overhead all day."
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"I was teaching fourth grade at Dade Elementary in Trenton. My planning period was from about 8:15 a.m. while my students went to PE or music. I was in the office making copies when our vice principal came out of his office and said an airplane had hit the World Trade Center. Several of us went to his TV when we saw a plane crash into the second tower, and I remember babbling "That's on purpose! They did that on purpose!" We had thought the first crash had to have been a horrible accident. We waited until a little later in the day, but I had to tell my students it was possible our country had been attacked, as many parents had begun to check their children out of school. I still can picture one little fellow wanting to go fight in the army right then, and praying he would never have to."
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"I had just gotten my children off to school. I walked out to get the newspaper and my neighbor was outside. I thought it was odd he was home at that time of morning. He asked me if I had watched the news on TV yet. I had not because I prefer to read the printed newspaper. He told me I needed to go in and turn on CNN because there had been a terrorist attack in NYC. After watching a few minutes, I called my husband at work. He had been in a meeting, so was unaware of the events. A little later, he called me and asked how much gas I had in my car. He said it was rumored there would be a gas shortage so I should go fill up. I did and waited in line longer than I have since the early 1970s gas shortage. The next day on my way to pick my children up from school, there were NO airplanes in the sky. I had never really noticed them before. That was the eeriest feeling. What I remember is nothing compared to what the people who lost loved ones in this horrific event."
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"I was standing near Dr. Jesse Register, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools in the front office at McConnell Elementary. We knew the first plane hit, then learned a second plane hit and a rumor that something happened at the Pentagon. Dr. Register said, just to anyone in the office, "Should I send the students home?" He gathered himself, of course, and took proper action, but the weight of responsibility in a national critical event is huge and that was unprecedented. Some things you don't train for. I left immediately and got my children from Soddy High School, filled the car with gas, picked up food I knew we'd need for a couple of weeks and turned on every source of news I could. The rank horror of not knowing if we were at war or what was coming next has stayed with me."
