I was watching the Dick Van Dyke show on TV Land when my aunt called asking me to turn on CNN and tell her what was going on.
I saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center on live TV. And I had probably seen or heard both planes earlier in the morning, because where they turned south was right near where I lived in upstate NY.
I saw both main towers fall.
When I went to work that afternoon next to the airport in Albany, I saw no planes flying.
What were you doing seven years ago today?
I was walking back to my dorm from class when I crossed paths with somebody from administration. I can’t remember exactly what she said, but I remember being confused and not understanding what she thought was going on. I went back to my hall and told others who were around to come to the TV. We turned it on and flipped to a cable news channel, which was showing footage of one of the towers on fire. We saw the second plane hit and couldn’t figure out if it was live footage. We looked at each other in shock and disbelief.
I remember saying, “I hope none of you have family in New York,” which drew sharp criticism from at least one person in the room, who said that I was being terribly insensitive. Nobody in the room had family or friends in New York. I stumbled trying to explain myself, but ended up just staring at the TV. A short while later we learned that classes had been canceled for the day.
It would be several years before I could make it to ground zero. I remember being very angry and very sad at the same time when I was finally able to see the gaping hole in the ground in person.
May those who lost their lives that day rest in peace.