9/11 Memories
Today, both CNN, though its online video service, and MSNBC showed the then-live coverage of 9/11, as it happened. I have been watching some of it, and it brings back plenty of memories and emotions.
I remember it was a Tuesday. It was the second day of my trip with my dad to Disneyworld. After a ride or two, we went down Space Mountain. Being in early September, Disneyworld was actually far from being crowded as it would be in August. There was actually virtually no lines for most of the rides or attractions.
After we got down Space Mountain, my dad decided to call home, where my mom would just be getting up. That was when he first heard of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. At the time, I don't think neither one of us knew the extent of the problem. I know I dismissed it as not being very serious. It was either a misunderstanding on my part, or some automatic means of denial. Unfortunatly, more likely the former.
Me and my dad continued though the Futureworld portion of the Magic Kingdom. Once we got through the last attraction, the 360 degree film featuring a time traveling story, that is when we first heard of the evacuation order for everyone to go back to their hotels. Some other people had heard the news as well, as some rumors were spreading that a plane was heading for Florida.
Once we got back to the resort, we turned on the news. It wasn't much of a choice, as any channel with a news department only had coverage of 9/11. Even the large screen in the ala-cart dining area only had the news on. We stayed in the room, partly to stay informed, partly because we couldn't do much else. We only exited the room to retrieve drinks or to eat, while I had a break to play in the (expensive) arcade.
Many remember it as a day of tragedy; one which thousands were killed and our naievite about security was shattered. It showed how cruel human beings can be. One thing that was forgotten, for the better, was how some Palestinians (I hope not many), who were in the middle of a major conflict with Isreal at the time, celebrated the 9/11 attacks. Even though they considered us our enemy for siding with Isreal, I find it sad that anyone would celebrate another's death, much less a huge tragedy like 9/11.
But then there was the best of humanity. And not only of the police and firefighters that came along, but of civilians as well. Peter Jennings spent over straight 60 hours on the air, just to bring us the news, and he was only an example of what news networks did in wake of 9/11. In Washington DC, there was no Democrat or Republican, but Americans. But just as importantly, many other people offering any kind of help they can do. Some tried to help in the digging for survivors, while others helped those who had escaped the chaos. When the call for blood came out, people around the country flooded blood donation banks. It just wasn't a day where the terrorists came out, it was a day which the heroes came out in every one of us.
I remember it was a Tuesday. It was the second day of my trip with my dad to Disneyworld. After a ride or two, we went down Space Mountain. Being in early September, Disneyworld was actually far from being crowded as it would be in August. There was actually virtually no lines for most of the rides or attractions.
After we got down Space Mountain, my dad decided to call home, where my mom would just be getting up. That was when he first heard of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. At the time, I don't think neither one of us knew the extent of the problem. I know I dismissed it as not being very serious. It was either a misunderstanding on my part, or some automatic means of denial. Unfortunatly, more likely the former.
Me and my dad continued though the Futureworld portion of the Magic Kingdom. Once we got through the last attraction, the 360 degree film featuring a time traveling story, that is when we first heard of the evacuation order for everyone to go back to their hotels. Some other people had heard the news as well, as some rumors were spreading that a plane was heading for Florida.
Once we got back to the resort, we turned on the news. It wasn't much of a choice, as any channel with a news department only had coverage of 9/11. Even the large screen in the ala-cart dining area only had the news on. We stayed in the room, partly to stay informed, partly because we couldn't do much else. We only exited the room to retrieve drinks or to eat, while I had a break to play in the (expensive) arcade.
Many remember it as a day of tragedy; one which thousands were killed and our naievite about security was shattered. It showed how cruel human beings can be. One thing that was forgotten, for the better, was how some Palestinians (I hope not many), who were in the middle of a major conflict with Isreal at the time, celebrated the 9/11 attacks. Even though they considered us our enemy for siding with Isreal, I find it sad that anyone would celebrate another's death, much less a huge tragedy like 9/11.
But then there was the best of humanity. And not only of the police and firefighters that came along, but of civilians as well. Peter Jennings spent over straight 60 hours on the air, just to bring us the news, and he was only an example of what news networks did in wake of 9/11. In Washington DC, there was no Democrat or Republican, but Americans. But just as importantly, many other people offering any kind of help they can do. Some tried to help in the digging for survivors, while others helped those who had escaped the chaos. When the call for blood came out, people around the country flooded blood donation banks. It just wasn't a day where the terrorists came out, it was a day which the heroes came out in every one of us.
posted by SeanM at 1:32 PM
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