Where were you on September 11th?
Do you remember what it was like 20 years ago?
Over the years I’ve blogged about September 11th. See for example September 11th…the dying calls of Kevin Cosgrove, Melissa Doi and Betty Ong, September 11th: 15 Years Ago, Video: September 11th & God, Most moving 9/11 live news: First day on the job with CNN when 9/11 happened, About what 9/11 means to a veteran’s family
Even after 20 years it is emotional seeing video clips of that day on 9/11.
I was at that time 18 years old; fresh out of high school. On my second or third week of community college. I got an early morning class. Before I left the house my parents and I saw on the news about a plane crashing into the World Trade center. While driving to school I heard a radio show host that often is not serious start saying one of the towers have collapsed. I thought to myself “wow this time this guy has crossed the line!” Especially with the way the guy playing a prank and how he started crying on the radio. But it was all too real…
I got to the community college and there was no cars. That’s when I realized the radio show host wasn’t playing a twisted prank. I parked and for some reason the 18 year old me still got out and walked towards class and saw the school was nearly all empty. I saw a few students walked towards the building where the cafeteria was at and everyone couldn’t believe what we were seeing on the news. Planes hitting buildings. Buildings collapsing. Then news about the Pentagon was also hit. All flights were grounded. A much liberal student body in Southern California watched helplessly and wondering who is going to respond to those terrorists behind this…
I got in my car and at that time local news was concern that the planes heading for LA were among those planes that were hijacked and authorities were trying to clear out Downtown LA for possible terrorism. Of course in hindsight we know that those other planes later hit the Pentagon and Flight 93 crashed into a field. What a crazy time that was, to think over two thousand miles away even Los Angeles people were panicking.
A few weeks before 9/11 I have made a decision that would changed the course of my life. It was a long childhood dream of mine to be a Marine. But after becoming a Christian I wasn’t sure. All summer I wrestled with whether or not to join as my group of friends whom I talked so much about the military were now signing up for the Marines. Finally in August I signed up to leave for the Marines’ boot camp next summer after a year of community college to appease my parents. I kept on wondering if I made the right decision as a typical 18 year old probably would swing back and forth. Somehow when 9/11 happened it felt like I didn’t have to wonder if I should have joined. And somehow on September 11th I felt I knew I was going to war.
The so called “War on Terror” has been a long war. Its approaches 20 years. Seeing videos of the US war in the early days in 2001 it seems like a lifetime ago in terms of weapons, gears, uniforms, and even tactics of things like say call for air strikes (see Documentaries on the Battle of Qala-i-Jangi 2001).
A few weeks ago when those young Marines got killed in Kabul airport I saw a lot of the Marines I served with got very emotional to learn of those killed in action. It felt like many of my buddies despite the weight they added, the aged face they might have were transported to their young self once more with the dogged spirit of not wanting to see people left behind, wanting to go back and help, etc. The concerns for Americans, Afghan interpreters, the Afghan women and children and Christians were overwhelming; and of course for the “brothers” in uniform. I say “brothers” in quotes not to downplay the brotherhood but it dawn on me that most of the Marines who were killed in Kabul were 20 years old; they are old enough to be my kids. “Brothers” take on a new sense when one realized how long this war has been.
The last few weeks it made me think about why I wanted to join the Marines. I think a big part of the motive is my experience as a son of refugee that felt a strong sense of being grateful to be an American; I talked about that in my post “A Son of A Refugee’s Gratitude for Christians in America’s Mid-West” that some of you long time readers have said is one of my best post (I think on reflection I do agree). My mom though is convinced its because she brought me some military clothes as a kid and also from watching TV. In thinking back of TV I can only think of one war movie that really left an impression on me that I saw as a kid before the age I can go to school. I never knew the name of the movie and due to the events in Afghanistan the last few weeks I kept on trying to research for what it was called; I only watched like the first fourteen minutes that I can remember and by the grace of God I found it. Here it is:
The first 14 minutes is amazing cinematography. The scene of the desperate days of the fall of Saigon, the song, the chaotic sounds and the masses and the scenes of American embassy employees and soldiers and Marines…so well done. One can’t help but to think of how much it parallel Afghanistan. Especially with an older Chuck Norris, someone who in the film can be the age of some of the veterans today who served in the early 2000s in the early days of the War on Terror. I admit I watch this film again with much tears, like it comes back full circle. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch the rest of the movie but stuck with playing again and again the first fourteen minutes and the memory I have with the movie’s beginning. And man the song…
I know many readers have had served, have family members who served and even known people killed in the last twenty years. To those who had loved ones killed in Afghanistan and Iraq while in uniform (I include Iraq since it was grouped under the War on Terror): I can’t understand the pain you have. I know one of you blog reader have been quite quiet of your own loss and can’t bring yourself to write a post about it. May God grant you peace that surprasses all understanding. For those who have served and been scarred; I pray God heal you. And know that healing is a journey; a journey that require walking with Christ, with Christ as your Savior of your sins. For those who loss someone on September 11th and also experienced history with this attack firsthand: Please know there are many Americans that were moved by what happened that day. Not just Americans. There’s people internationally, if you noticed how international WordPress has gotten.
Where were you on September 11th?
I was 9 years old on that day and in the 4th grade. I was in school when the attacks happened. My teacher nor the school told us anything that day. Didn’t know until I came home and my grandma and grandpa had been watching the news all day and the towers coming down. I was confused that day and didn’t understand what was happening or why
BTW that Chuck Norris movie is Missing in Action 3 (1988) He goes back to Vietnam 13 years later to find his wife and son that he left behind and ends up killing much of the Vietnamese Army in escaping Vietnam
Wow did you know about this movie before hand? I ask since you seem to know a lot about various movies from your blog. I can’t believe you were 9 years old on 9/11…so young brother! You were in California too then?
Yes I knew about that movie beforehand. I own many Chuck Norris movies including all 3 Missing in Action Movies. Yes I was in California and still am. Born and raised in Los Angeles County.
I remember that sunny day in Scotland. I had visitted my mum a couple of streets away with my dog, and was on my way home when a local Baptist Pastor drew alongside me in his car to tell me there had been a plane crash in New York. I turned the tv on when I got home and watched in horror as the whole story unfolded. Suddenly the reality of international terrorism became real in that quiet Fife Autumn day.
Wow that is something thanks for sharing. Through WordPress I realize the international scope that day turned out to be
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks sharing your memories of that horrific day. And triple thanks for your service. It means so much to many of us.
Blessings!
As always Jim— I thank the 18 year old you as I also thank a nearly 40 year old you!
Aww thanks Julie; may your day be reflective and meaningful
God be with you Jim!
Thank you so much for your service, Jim. Thank you, too, for your excellent blog, sharing the truth and love of Christ.
Where was I twenty years ago? I was lost. So very lost. My life was in ruins. But the Lord Jesus saved me. Praise God!
Sister I am so glad for God saving and redeeming you and you being a light on WordPress; I need to make it a regular habit to visit your site
Thank you, but I haven’t been writing much, mostly just reblogging. It’s been a rough year, with my husband having cancer and me having covid, among other things. Even so, God is seeing us through.
Thanks for sharing, and thank you so much for your service!
Twenty years ago? My husband was at work. The kids and I were just getting ready to start the homeschool day, the news was on, unbelievable footage of WTC in flames with first plane crash and the horror began to dawn on what was happening when the second plane crashed. That was a national “moment”unlike any I have ever known. A moment of tragedy, of knowing that there were people who wanted to watch the world burn in our time, in our place, and would stop at nothing. Jimmy, thank you and all service men and women for keeping those horrors at bay, and the many today who yet stay firm in faith and in service regardless of their feckless leaders.
pax,
dora
Thanks for those kind words. I imagine your kids have memories of those times….God bless you and thanks for sharing, hope your day goes well today
Many Americans had a sense of invulnerability before 9-11, but the attack radically changed that notion. What a horrific event. Last week my wife and I watched a documentary about 9-11. A film crew was shooting a story about a rookie firefighter and his station that was very close to the twin towers and they caught all of the events on film from the inside. Very unsettling.
I imagine New York State must have felt like a military lockdown during that month…what a crazy documentary. If Californians were sadden you New Yorkers even more so. How is your shift was it also well compared to last week?
RE: New York
Our state is kind of strange. New York City is like a state unto itself. Over here in Western New York there’s not much of a connection to the Big Apple. Back when there were actually conservative politicians in the state, there was always talk of splitting from NYC because so much of the taxes were diverted there and the rest of the state was high and dry. But of course we were all shocked by 9-11.
Shift is going better like yesterday, thanks! Only about two-thirds the orders compared to the last 6 weeks so that’s a relief. Most of the young guys standing around yapping all day either way. Hope your family is enjoying the vacation!
I’ll never forget. I was at a training class for work called Oracle Reports. My trainer wouldn’t cancel class which didn’t bother me personally but it was exceptional because so many other things were closed. I had no kids yet. I remember being told to give blood but I was ineligible because I’d given recently. I was part of a religion (before Christ) that simply didn’t let even big things bother me, so it didn’t cause me much distress, but I was inspired by the pro USA response of so many songwriters and businesses after. I remember the support police and fire mantras we all held to which have faded into defund them chants now.
I also traveled a lot before then and the way airports have changed is so strange. It’s hard to even explain to someone who was born after 1990 or so.
Wow thanks for sharing that. Crazy how things have changed the last twenty years.
At radio station. Was sound tech. Went home FAST.
Wow thanks for sharing this. Surreal…that was a hard day in American history…in our life time. God bless you Bonnie
I was in Elementary school when 9/11 happened
Working at home. A UPS or FedEx person dropping off a computer monitor alerted me to turn on the TV.
Wow Mark thanks for sharing; man did you get glued to the TV screen for hours and days???
Yeah, I watched TV a lot for a few days. I also had a couple nightmares of being in buildings hit by airplanes.
I was in central Illinois waiting for a new grocery store to open so my first official job could start at the end of the month. I had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room the night before, my siblings had taken the bus to school, dad was already at work, and mom was getting ready for what was her final week with Check Into Cash before starting at that same grocery store.
She came to wake me up, saying, “Hey, a plane hit a building in New York. I thought you might be interested.” She walked away while I watched, one eye barely cracked open. I saw a plane hit the building, and two seconds later realized it wasn’t a replay. A plane hit the building not smoking. “MoooOOOOM! Another plane hit the other Twin Tower!”
I spent much of that day talking with parents of my friends who had joined the Marines, Navy, and Army, and who had all finished Basic Training or were in their final weeks. As one of the few who did not immediately join after graduation, I was suddenly a fill-in pastor. (I talked with my pastors quite a bit, too, seeing as I was still not quite 18 and offering biblical counseling to terrified parents of my friends!)
Two weeks later, training started at that store, and it suddenly included “What to do if a terrorist attack happens” as part of that training.
I did get to meet a few of my friends’ compatriots, a couple of which were KIA and a few more who fell to the personal war after coming home. I obviously do not feel that loss like my friends do, but I can sympathize and listen. I have lost touch with a couple of those friends, but that ultimately came down to my trusting Christ and their feeling like it was me rejecting them.
Wow thanks for sharing that; it sounds like we are about the same age. Sobering. Did you go to work still that day???
I am pretty sure you are right. 😎
My work that day became the listening ear, comforter, and helping a few people get gas from the one station in town that did not change their prices.
This is a powerful memory. I did not know that you are so young. I had just relocated to the BVI with my family when 9/11 hit. What a day!
What is BVI?
British Virgin Islands
The memories of 9/11 are chiseled into my memory. That terrible day and the ones which followed consumed much of my time. I was teaching in a small town in eastern Montana, a long ways from the horror playing out on the endless newscasts, yet I was there in a spiritual sense. To this day, I can’t bring myself to watch again any video from 9/11.