FEMA: A Nation Remembers, A Nation Recovers

Your Comments One Year Later

When the Skies Were Silent

September 11, 2002

After the attack on the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, and the crash in Pennsylvania, all aircraft was advised to land. Within hours, the skies were silent. It seemed as if the world stood still in a silent state of shock.

How easy it is to become accustomed to silence. We seem to fall into a routine without even realizing what is happening. Even though our lives were forever changed, we became used to the silence. The numbness. The deafening silence.

A few days later I stopped at a convenience store on my way home from my daughter's in Knoxville for a soft drink. As I stepped from my car, my steps froze. What was that sound? It seemed so familiar yet so strange. An airplane was overhead. I had almost forgotten that sound. I didn't want to hear that sound. Was it another terrorist? Was it going to crash right where I was? I then remembered that the ban on flying had been lifted, but the anxiety I felt had not lifted.

Yes, I prayed and cried and grieved and one year later I find myself still praying and crying and grieving. So much was lost. So much has happened. So much has changed. After the scream of the crashes, life as we knew it changed and for a while, the skies were silent.

Wanda
Sevierville, TN
September 11, 2002

I know as a proud American that everyone acknowledges our firefighters and police officers as they are our true heroes but I would also like to thank your photographers for capturing that what I couldn't ever have seen if not for them.

September 11, 2002

To all those who have loved, lost and honored the fallen heroes of that fateful September morning, I think of you often. In high school, our history teacher taught us about the events of Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and JFK as I got older and attended high school, we talked more in depth about these subjects.

Many people who remember these events remember where they were and what they were doing, at the time I couldn't understand that. How could something be so powerful that's its engraved in your mind forever.

On that day, in September I understood. I will never forget the feelings, the fear, the horror, where I was, what I did, ate or said that day. I understand now, we were all affected no mater who we are. I wish us all a safe day of reflection

Lauren
Maryland
September 11, 2002

On the eve of this most tragic day in our county's modern history, this is a good time to reflect on the people, we have lost almost one year to the day. My wife lost a good friend that was her maid of honor at her first wedding. Myself... I lost two friends, who were brothers (Peter and Thomas Langone). Peter belonged to the New York City Fire Department and Thomas, who belonged to the new York Police Department. Neither of these three people have ever been found. We honestly believe that their spirits still live on at the site, and will live on for the remaining years of our country's future glorious history.

May their souls and all of the souls that have perished on account of this tragedy live in all of our hearts and souls, until it is our time to meet with the Creator. May they rest in peace. They are missed and they are loved.

Marguerite & George
Chino, CA
September 11, 2002

This is a supremely lovely tribute! I heard about it on The Today Show and the images moved me to tears. We've all seen so many pictures of the planes impacting, the towers coming down and the recovery work, but you've put together a dignified, non-sensational tribute that doesn't trivialize the subject without relying on the horrible images to make an impact. This is a testament to the dignity of the human spirit and the monumental effort of rebuilding.

Thank you!

Shawna
Reno, NV
September 11, 2002

•	Return to "A Nation Remembers"
•	A Nation Recovers
Your Comments
•	Share your comments five years later
•	Your comments one year later
•	What the world had to say after September 11th