Memories of 9/11
New Mexicans recall thoughts, feelings on that fateful September day
TRAUMATIC BIRTHDAY: The 9/11 horror was especially traumatic for me because it was my birthday.
That fateful day, I used a vacation day from work, like I always do, and slept in. I woke up that morning with the intent of having a leisurely, relaxing day.
I turned on the TV in my bedroom and was curious as to why the “Today” show was showing two smoking buildings. I turned the channel to “GMA” and got the same result. For that matter, ESPN, the Weather Channel and Nickelodeon were ALL preempted and showing the same exact shot.
I knew something horribly wrong had occurred when the network evening news guys, Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw were all on the air that morning. It took me a few minutes to connect the dots, but I eventually realized what happened that awful morning. I sat there in my bed paralyzed with horror. Sick to my stomach.
I then felt guilty having the nerve to want to celebrate my day. Survivors guilt? Probably. I later found out there were support groups consisting of others whose birthday is also Sept. 11. It made me feel better knowing it wasn’t just me who felt guilty. I’m better now. Doctors’ and dentists’ office personnel no longer give me “the look” when I tell them my birthdate: 9/11. Worst birthday ever.
George Scott Albuquerque
STUDENTS’ QUESTIONS: Sept. 11, 2001, 8:50 a.m.: I opened the door to let my third graders into class.
Every child asked me if I knew a plane had “hit this tall building” in New York?
They had frightened looks in their eyes, but I reassured them that we were “far away from New York City” and we were very safe here in our classroom.
Parents started trickling in throughout the day to pick up their children. When one parent, whose husband was the manager of Coronado Center, came in and said they were closing down the shopping center for safety reasons, it suddenly hit closer to home.
Now it was the teacher with the frightened look in her eyes. Renee Rodarte-Keeling
Albuquerque
LEANING ON FAITH: Twenty years ago at this time I had recently become a widow. It was a very difficult time, and I was leaning on my faith to get me through those grief ridden days.
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, I had the “Today” show on television and heard the commentators say that a plane had hit one of the trade towers.
As I turned to focus on the TV, I saw the second plane hit the other trade tower. The unbelievable was happening right in front of me and the whole country.
In the days that followed, our nation united. Nobody cared about political differences or the color of one another’s skin. We were all American citizens.
Sadly, that unity has been lost. Today, race problems abound, and our political system is as acrimonious as it’s ever been. As for me, I continue to lean on my faith. Mary Wentworth
Albuquerque
STILL AFFECTED: I was in Ruidoso on that Tuesday. I was working for NMEDD. I saw the TV coverage of the first airplane flying into a World Trade Center tower.
I immediately called my brother, Richard Thompson; his company office was in Lower Manhattan. I knew he had views of the twin towers; I’ve been there many times.
When Richard answered his phone, as we were talking, he witnessed the second airplane attack the second tower. I remembered what he said … I won’t repeat it … but it was devastating!
Through all of the devastation, Richard took/walked all of his staff to safety to his home in Upper Manhattan. My sister, Ruthann, had just left the Pentagon, prior to the attack there. From Santa Fe to New York, Pentagon, & Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as AMERICANS, we are still affected … 20 YEARS LATER! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Rosemary Thompson Santa Fe