Community Corner

Remembering 9/11: Where Were You That Day?

Romeoville Patch remembers that tragic day in September.

If you're old enough to remember it, you'll never forget it. Ask any American where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, and you're sure to get a vivid recollection of what they were doing when the first planes struck the Twin Towers.

We asked readers for their remembrances — what they thought, felt and where they were — and we're republishing them here. On the 10th anniversary of that tragic day, let's remember those lost and the heroes who saved an untold many more, and often gave their lives in the process. 

Click through the gallery to see what others experienced that day, and feel free to add your own contributions in the comments.

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Romeoville Patch Editor Shannon Antinori: "I was a senior in college, and I was heading to a coffee shop in Naperville with my boyfriend at the time to kill some time and work on my thesis. We were listening to talk radio, and suddenly, a news alert broke in saying one of the Twin Towers had been hit by a plane. We figured it had to be a small plane, not a big commercial jet, and that it was an accident. It seems so naïve now. But soon after came the report that another plane had hit the second tower. I remember being completely stunned, saying to him, 'We’re being attacked.' He didn’t believe me — it seemed impossible that an attack could happen on American soil. We arrived at the coffee shop, where the employees had brought out a small TV from the break room so we could all watch what was going on. We gathered around it with the other customers and watched in horror as, on live TV, as the north tower fell. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and couldn’t grasp the magnitude of it. I don’t think anyone even said anything; we were too stunned. Then it seemed like we were getting pummeled with more and more horrific news: the attack on the Pentagon, the crash of Flight 93. That afternoon, classes were optional, but I think out of shock and lack of anything else to do, my classmates and I all attended. I don’t think we got much done. I’ll never forget the exact moment when I heard the news anchor’s voice say the towers had been hit. To this day, I can’t believe it."

Reader Carole Magnuson: "On the morning of September 11th, I was living in Richmond, Virginia. My team and I traveled to Alexandria, Virginia to begin a two-week work measurement study at one of the smaller agencies in the Department of Defense. This building was about four miles due south of the Pentagon. We were waiting in a conference room for the Commander and other executives to join us so that we could begin our briefing. Instead, our agency contact person came in and announced that a plane had flown into one of the towers. A TV was on in another conference room and we watched in horror as the second plane hit. It was hard to take it all in. We heard a man scream and ran to his office. In the distance to the north, there was a huge column of thick black smoke rising. As reports came in, we learned it was the Pentagon. Meanwhile, jets were scrambling to get in the air at the nearby Andrews Air Force base. Bomb scares were reported in Washington, D. C. People were fleeing the District. It was a confusing and scary time. Metra trains passed by our building -- packed with people. Once on a train, we saw that people seemed to be in shock and it was eerily quiet. Back on the Metra train the next day, we saw many riders wearing red, white & blue or clothes bearing the American flag. After I retired in 2002, I returned to the southwest suburbs of Chicago, where I now make my home. Every year, I'm brought back to that day in history which is still vivid in my memory."

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Another reader: "Before opening our bar and grill that day, I was catching up on some paperwork with the TV playing in the background when the second plane hit. Fearful of what might happen next, I called to check up on my husband and children. Then I went to reassure my 81-year-old mother, who was temporarily in a nursing facility after foot surgery. On the way there, I remembered Mom saying during times of war, people always fly the flag as unity and support, so I picked some flags to give to Mom and her roommate. Upon entering the facility, you pass through a commons area, which had oldsters gathered with shocked faces watching the TV. One old timer they all called "Sarge" sat slumped in his wheel chair. When he saw the flags, he slowly stood up the best he could and saluted. It brought tears to my eyes and I gave him one of the flags. Just holding it seemed to make him feel secure. Later, when I opened the bar for the day, people came in and sat in almost silence. Not really drinking, but just not wanting to be alone. When President Bush finally came on television to speak, I sensed a feeling of calm and unity come over the customers, and I saw firsthand what my Mom was talking about when she looked to the flag and realized what it means to be an American united under our flag."


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