Most of us remember the Alan Jackson song – hence the title.
Where were you? I was driving down the freeway almost to work when the first reports of an airplane hitting the World Trade Center hit the local radio. By the time I arrived at work it was clear that yes the unbelievable – a commercial plane had crashed into one of the towers. Then the second plane hit.
I was now opening the garage of the second tallest building in Sacramento. One of the tenants was Trade and Commerce. To make a very long story short the Parking Facility Manager, the Janitorial shift lead person, and a couple security guards were the only people remaining in the building. I sure hope they have better plans in place now because back then the plan sucked. If you were high enough up the food chain you either arrived and argued with us explaining how important you were trying to bully your way into locked down building without proper ID or you stayed away afraid the aircraft that were reported missing and headed to Calif were going to hit the building.
I remember watching the Towers fall on a TV we borrowed from the Pawn shop next door. Over and Over again. As my pal the janitor awaited news about his cousins that worked in the buildings hoping that they somehow survived.
Today in remembrance:
I was teaching my eighth grade English class when another teacher came to me and said a plane had crashed into the WTC. I turned on the TV to let the kids watch, thinking it was just an awful accident. Then the principal came and told the teachers to turn off the TVs and computers. After that, I just got info piecemeal until we were told it was a terrorist attack. Parents came for their kids, and we closed early. I called all my family to assure they were safe, and I watched the rest from home. We’re only 2 1/2 hours from NYC, so it was scary.
I can not imagine how scary being so close would have been as the fear and tension grew across the country and the endless hours of news coverage ran on the major networks. Being in charge of the safety of children and all the decisions as to what you can tell them without upsetting parents or the kids an enormous task. I imagine all the time just wanting to get home and see that all your family was safe.