Paul's Web Space 2.1

Five Years Ago Today

On September 11, 2006, it's impossible to avoid seeing, reading about, and remembering what happened five years ago on that infamous date, 9/11/2001. Here are my memories.

I was getting ready for work when the planes struck the World Trade Center towers. Then as I walked to work, the Pentagon was hit. I worked practically across the street from the White House, so my office was evacuated about 15 minutes after I arrived. When I got downstairs to leave, I could see smoke rising from the Pentagon across the river.

The streets were chaotic, but luckily it was only about a 5-block walk to my apartment; shortly after I got home, a National Guard unit was on the street below my window, directing traffic for the evacuation. I think I saw one of the towers fall, and may even have seen the second plane strike while I was getting ready, but it's all somewhat of a blur.

After a while, I couldn't take being alone in my apartment any longer, so I called up a friend who lived nearby. I walked over to his place to watch more of it on TV with him and another buddy — picking up a bottle of whiskey on the way. That night we got a little stir-crazy and went out to walk around the curfew of DC...it was so quiet, so empty, and everything was closed.

We were as shell-shocked as everyone else who was close enough for it to touch our lives, but of course nothing like those who lived through it (or didn't) and the heroes who saved so many lives that day, braving immediate danger and lasting damage to their health in many cases.

I didn't personally know anyone who died, but I know many people who lost friends and loved ones that fateful day. Memories may fade, but I'll never forget. ¶ 11:58 AM | Permalink | |
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