Back in 2001, Feyma and I decided to buy a franchise of a shipping/logistics company. The company was based in Manila, and we intended to have our branch of the company in General Santos City, where we lived.
As part of purchasing the franchise, I had to go up to Manila for one week for training. There were training sessions to be held in two different locations in the greater Manila area, based on what the subject of the training was. Our first day of training was to be held in Paranaque, in part of the NAIA airport area. Of course, as a shipping company, air transport was used extensively, and that is why part of our training was held at NAIA.
Feyma’s brother, Chito, used to live in Paranaque at that time, just a few miles from the airport, so it was all arranged that I would stay at Chito’s house during that part of the training. The second part of the training was to be held in Quezon City, and I had a good friend who lived in that area, so I gladly accepted his invitation to stay at his house when that part of the training came along.
The first day of our training, a Monday, was interesting and uneventful. I enjoyed the learning, and picked up a number of things from the training. That night, I was tired from a long day at the airport, and I went back to Chito’s house and rested. The next day of training was again at NAIA, so I rose early and headed for the airport. My habit while there was to ride FX taxis (like an SUV that would take a number of passengers along it’s route) to the Airport area where I was heading. Another day of training, nothing unusual.
When I got home on Tuesday evening, though, something happened that would change my life forever. It would change the lives of virtually everybody reading this article. My brother-in-law called me. I was upstairs, he was downstairs. So, I went down to ask what he needed. He told me, “Bob, you better turn on the TV.” “Why?” I asked. “Just turn it on and look at CNN, there was a plane crash in the States.”
So, I did go watch the TV, and saw that a plane had crashed into one of the buildings of the World Trade Center in New York City. The first reports were that a small plane, they said maybe it was a Cessna, had hit the building. I watched for a while, and was having a hard time figuring out how a small plane could have caused such devastation. After 15 or 20 minutes of watching, right on camera, a second plane, and certainly not a Cessna, hit the other building of the World Trade Center. Oh my, this was obviously not an accident. We all know the story. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Then a 4th plane crashed in Pennsylvania. The USA was at war. I don’t need to go into detail on this. Anybody who was alive and old enough to understand what was going on on September 11, 2001 will remember the details for the rest of their lives. This was, after all, our generation’s Pearl Harbor.
It was shocking. Horrifying.
I stayed up late that night watching the coverage. The next morning, though, I had to continue with my training at the airport, so off I went. I was truly shocked at what happened that day. On September 12, 2001 here in the Philippines, when I went out in public, people would come up to me on the streets and ask me if I was an American. When I said that I was indeed an American, they would offer their prayers to me, and their sorrow for what had happened. Some people, when they approached me that day were crying. It was quite shocking to me, because although the event had saddened me greatly, I really didn’t think that people here, thousands of miles away would really care all that much. I was wrong, though, people in almost every part of the world cared, and mourned for the USA.
I still think about what happened in the USA on 9/11/2001. There is hardly a day that would pass without my thinking about 9/11 at least once. I did not lose any loved ones that day, but I did love every person who lost their lives in the attack. In the past couple of years I have seen a couple of documentaries about the events of that day, and it can easily bring a tear to my eye, and I am not ashamed to admit that. I think that is probably true for most of us.
The tenth anniversary of 9/11 is coming up in just a couple of days. I hope that the era of terror around the world can end within my lifetime, although that is probably a pipe dream. But, I do want to take a minute to remember those victims of the tragedy. And, it makes me think about how my life was impacted those days in Manila.
Oh, so some of you are probably wondering… what ever happened with that shipping company that we purchased? Well, things did not really work out on that, but it’s a story for another time.
Yes, I remember, Bob. I was in the shower getting ready for work that morning when my wife called from the living room to watch the horrific scene of the two planes hitting the twin towers unfolding on TV. I worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., a distance of only 5 miles from my then home in Alexandria, VA. I never made it to work that day, the traffic was horrendous, I-95 across the Pentagon, which was also hit, was closed off. I turned around and went home after having travelled only half a mile in 4 hours. I am afraid, though, that this article, though relevant in light of the coming 10 year anniversary of 9/11, is going to reopen old wounds and generate a lot of hateful comments against Muslims among some readers.
Hi Ricardo – It was really a sad day, and a day I will never forget, as I am sure you will not as well.
As for hateful comments against Muslims… for me, that is really the wrong way to look at it. The people who did the crime were lunatics, plain and simple. They were Muslim, but that is not a reflection of all Muslims. I have many Muslim friends here in Mindanao, and I do not hold them responsible, in fact they are very sad about what happened, just like I am. I was saddened to see some Muslims dancing in the street on 9/11/01, but that was only a tiny fraction of Muslims. Anyway, i would never “not talk about” a topic out of fear that others may behave poorly. That is their problem and not mine.
I am glad you feel that way, Bob, but you and I can’t deny that there are plenty of bigots out there who are not as informed and have the instinctive reaction to lump all Muslims together at the slightest mention of the tragedy. I can almost see someone out there getting ready to pound the keyboard and the Muslims in the process, but as you said, it’s their problem, not yours. In any event, I have no objection whatsoever about your writing this article.
Hi Ricardo – thanks for giving your stamp of approval. It’s always good to have others on your side! 😉
Bob,
Thanks so much for remembering the tragedy that is 09/11. I was on my way to the bank when i heard about it on the radio. Had to pull off the road because it was so shocking. Totally agree with you and Ricardo. 9/11 was a tragedy, but blaming all Muslims for what just a few did is sad also. Most of them are very nice people, but there will always be ignorant people in this world who group everyone together. Where i live here near Sarasota, Florida this week they have been running stories about the connection this area has to 09/11. 2 of the terrorists actually received there flight training at a small airport in Venice just south of Sarasota. The Man (cannot remember his name) who owned the flight school obviously had no idea what they planned to do. People even accused him of just teaching them how to make left and right turns with the airplane. Anyway because of his association he lost his marriage, business and health. He wrote a book called “Guilty by Association”. The one thing he remembered about one of the terrorist (Mohammad Atta) was that he was nasty to every one. There was also a Saudi Family that had a house in Sarasota that was associated with the 2 terrorists. That family abandoned the house and a neighbor alerted the FBI. Thanks again for posting a article remembering the victims. Being in law enforcement it really hit home. Take and be safe.
Hi Papa Duck – Thanks for taking the time to comment on the article, I appreciate it. You know, that flight instructor guy that you mentioned, the fellow who wrote the book… I saw him on TV recently. Yes, his life was ruined over something over which he had no control. Feyma and I had a Filipino exchange student live with us when we were still in the States. He actually went to flight school and became a licensed pilot, and he attended that same flight school in Florida. It’s a small world.
I remember that day too. I was working at a machine shop, it was just like every other day nothing special. One guy said that a plane hit a building in NY. I thought he was fibbing. I worked with some jokers in a nice AC shop making aircraft parts, radio’s weren’t allowed unless it was night shift. My leadman went into an office and came back very excited, I still was like ” What ? ” he he said he saw the video of the plane hitting the tower then he was pissed we weren’t allowed to leave and go home. I won’t say what language he used. I went to the CR and past another area of the shop one of the guys had a radio. I talked with him a minute, he was pissed. It was the talk of the shop, breaks, ect. When 3:30pm came everone wanted out as fast as we could. Next day or that friday not sure which day ALL machines were shut down for a moment of silence. A few days latter ( I was a Vol. Fireman ) I remember being at the firehouse and my brother was chief of police then. He got a report of some arab men with some explosives at a mall. I live in Vermont near the only nuke plant so he told us FD guys that he can get bulletproof vest for us and if he calls come well armed.
Hi Ronin – good morning! 9/11 was indeed quite a day, and a day that we will always remember. I am surprised that in your company you were not allowed a radio or TV to keep abreast of the happenings of that terrible day. I would imagine that not much work was completed around the country that day, because I would think most workers were watching the news events.
Hey Bob
That day I was out on my mail route making the rounds and I had no idea of what was happening until one of my customers came out to greet me and invited me into the house to catch a glimpse of the special news report. Throughout out the day a few other customers gave me tidbits of news info. I really had no clue to the scale of the attack until I got home and watched the news.
The days following were a bit scary as we were all told that all Government Buildings Vehicles and Workers may be a target for yet anther terror attack. Not to mention the Anthrax in the Mail.
Hi Neal – I can certainly understand why government workers would be worried for their safety. It was certainly a scary time. And, yes, it didn’t take long before the anthrax scare happened.
The anthrax was a big one for us working in DC. I had a MBA classmate who worked in the Senate building that was hit by the anthrax, thankfully, was ok.
Scary indeed!
Bob:
I actually lost a job offer due to 9/11. I had been waiting for a work visa to Japan and the company had offices in NYC… Needless to say, everything shutting down refocused their priorities.
That said, 9/11 has become so commercialized by the media that I am somewhat glad to be living here and only marginally bombarded by “Remember”, “9/11”, and other TV specials on only 5 or 6 TV channels as opposed to 200 channels 24/7. Does anyone think that all of these memorials are profiting no-one?
I keep being told by the media how “The world changed” that day… How did it change? Was I really any safer on 9/10? Has anything happened since then that has made one bit of difference? Despite billions upon billions of dollars spent, and over 6,000 soldiers lives lost and uncounted scores of civillian lives lost in questionable wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, what is really so different now?
I read an interesting article in Forbes the other day that discussed the effects:
1. The New WTC complex will have taken 30 years to complete, as compared to the less than 5 years the original complex took to build.
2. The housing bubble was likely delayed several years due to the amount of money the government spent immediately after 9/11.
3. The US has spent over a trillion dollars on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Troops are still in both places. Would things have been different if theat money had been spent on raising the quality of life in those places instead of on bombs?
Just something to think about.
Hi John – I personally believe that the world changed profoundly based on the events of 9/11. But, probably not in the way that most people think. The world changed, and in many ways Al Qaeda won. Americans are scared these days. They are scared of flying. They have given up many civil rights to protect their safety. As you said, the US spent trillions on wars against terror, which have played a big part in bringing the USA to it’s knees financially. We are all inconvenienced by things like having to take off our shoes to fly, submitting to what many people feel are vulgar searches, not even being able to bring a decent sized bottle of shampoo in our luggage.
The purpose of terror is not to win a war in a traditional way, but to ignite chaos in a society, scare people and end the normal routine that people follow. Al Qaeda has done that, unfortunately.
Bob: You said it better than I (I was restrained somewhat in my comment). It cost over a trillion dollars in creating Homeland Security. We have wars on Terror and Drugs that are ongoing… What is the next war going to be on? One of the things that really disgusted me was that 9/11 provided justification for BOTH parties in the US to start an essentially unrestrained power grab.
You are 100% right. They won. Damn near a complete victory.
Hi John – It’s very unfortunate, and I do believe that many people will argue against my statement that Al Qaeda won, and accomplished what they set out to do. It doesn’t mean that I support Al Qaeda, of course I despise them. But, I call it as I see it, and as I see it, the goals of the terrorists prevailed over the long haul.
Bob
I couldn’t agree more!!
Thanks, Neal.
John you have echo’ed what I have been saying for years. What transpired within our government AFTER ( and continues) 911 made me fear my governemnt MORE than the terrorist. The vast majority of Americans have ni idea the amount of civil rights, and protected freedoms that evaporated shortly afterwards by our own elected morons.
Ironically, many of the “top brass” in Al Qaida come from families from MENA that sells OIL. Maybe, just maybe, the US being a huge consumer of oil will start finding other sources to buy oil from over those terrorist-families capitalizing on oil, it could paralyze Al-Qaida operations.
On the other hand, most of our tax money goes to the overpaid “defense contractors(private companies)” over those underpaid and underappreciated servicemen. A defense contractor earns more than our servicemen. And they are not really the ones running after the terrorist.
The bad thing, Katrina, is that the US already has a lot of it’s own oil, but refuses to drill for it.
It baffles me why the US even wants to spend “aid” on countries that wants to bomb them. While a faithful ally is pushed away most of the time, only paid attention to when the US gov’t needs something. Maybe, just maybe, if the US stops giving money to countries that would like to bomb them, at least part of the problem will be solved.Will bring those countries to their knees. And the US shouldn’t buy oil from countries/people would love to bomb them.
Now, I remember, the president was against the war in Iraq yet he seems to meddle with Libyan politics (on their civil war).
good posting bob
AND THAT IS ONE DAY NO ONE WILL EVER FOR GET MATE NO MATTER WHERE WE LIVE IN THE US OR AUSTRALIA AS IT WAS A VERY SAD DAY FOR ALL MATE AND MAY THEM THAT DID DIE THAT DAY REST IN GOD ARMS BUT AS I HAVE BEING SAYING FOR A LONG LONG TIME MATE YES THAY GOT THE BAD ONE AND HE IS DEAD BUT ALL IN ALL THAT WILL NEVER STOP THE KILLING AS U KILL ONE SCUM THERE IS A 100 MORE SCUM JUST LIKE HIM OUT THERE MATE SO WHERE WILL IT EVER STOP………PETER MARTIN TASSIE
Hi Peterjoy – thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Bob,
I’m in the same camp as you…the extent and depth of the ‘Patriot Act’ was far more damaging to Americans civil liberties than the terrorists attack.
Hi brian – I believe that probably few Americans would agree with our view on this. Sometimes when you are observing from the outside the view is pretty clear, though.
Brian
I have read a bit about the Patriot Act and I wish more Americans would actually read portions of the Patriot Act as well, to see how much freedom they have given up in the name of Homeland Security.
Bob,
I worked for the SEC in Washington DC. I was at work when the 2 planes hit the WTC, but after the first hit, all of our Internet, email and phones went out as apparently the telecom were routed through the WTC. We had no real clue what was going on until the Pentagon was hit, which is less than 3 miles away. There were crazy rumors that the White House and Capital were hit but when we went outside, it was the smoke from the Pentago that we saw. We had less information than most people as there were no TVs in government buildings and was in the early part of the day when we were at work.
It was a tough day, and we all eventually had to walk home across the Arlington or Key Bridges as the Metro was shut down.
I know some people think it was all a conspiracy of the elite, I can’t understand their thinking. When you were there, it changes a lot of your perspective.
Don
Hi Don – I can imagine it would indeed be scary to be in New York or in DC like you were on the day. And, having no real communications like you had would only add to the fear. This is a sad time with lots of vivid and still fresh memories coming back to all of us who were involved even as spectators of the terrible event. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hi Bob – Isn’t it strange when you reflect back on something so dramatic happening that you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. I was in my office that day when I took a call from our German HQ to inform me to switch on the TV and watch the news. Since the company I worked for had an operation in Central Valley NY State our people there sent the original news of the tragedy.
I watched the story unfold and to this day I can still feel the horror of it all when I see repeat news footage of the event.
Also although only 15 years of age at the time I can also remember where I was when JFK was assassinated in Dallas. Now ask me what I was doing on a certain day and time last week and I’d probably not remember how strange ones memory works.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim – Yes, it is truly amazing. I was only about a year old when JFK was assassinated, so I don’t remember that event. I am thinking back, and probably the earliest major even that I can remember so vividly was when Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and of course 9/11. I am sure there are other events that just don’t instantly come to mind. Isn’t it funny though, that the two big “pillar” events were one great event and one tragic? I mean the two pillar events for me, of course, everybody has different events that shaped their lives. Like you say, if somebody said “Bob, what were you doing and where were you on December 2, 1987?” Well, I would have no idea. But, “what were you doing on 9/11/2001?” It brings the whole thing rushing back and my memories are so clear it’s like watching TV.
Bob, and all;
On Sept. 11, 2001 I spent the evening with a co-worker and his wife having dinner and a few drinks afterward. This occurred between 1900 and 2400 Singapore time – 13 hours ahead of US EST time. During that time the world trade center tragedy occurred. I was to fly out the next day at 0700. I planned on packing through the night and sleeping during the flight. My friend called me at my hotel a few minutes after I returned and told me to forget about flying out the next morning. I turned on the television and watched the news throughout the night. I did not fly out the next day.
It was a very strange feeling, being out of my home country as it was being attacked. I checked with the airline for the next week and finally got a flight out 10 days later. My baggage was not checked either there nor upon my arrival back to the US.
During the time I was ‘stuck’ in Singapore I walked up to a park on the top of a mountain to occupy my time and as I was walking back down without a bottle of water and was quite dehydrated a muslim family from India took sympathy on me and gave me a bottle of water and took me to dinner with them at an Indian restaurant. I still keep in contact with them.
Jade
Hi Jade – Interesting experience you had during the post 9/11 days. It would be interesting to hear what kinds of things the Muslim family said about the events.
Oh, how do I remember that sad day in our history of this country. Now we have received credible intelligence that al-qaida is going to use car bombs to destroy possibly tunnels in nyc or major bridges on the anniversay of 9/11. Our government has notified all law enforcement agency to beef up their security in the coming days. This intelligence they have received is mentioning of specific threats. I hope this is just chatter but the treats mention 9/11 and other major dates.
Hi Art – yes, I saw this morning about the threats that have come to light. I hope that nothing happens, or that if something is in the works, that the police squash it before it develops.
Hey Bob,
Yes, I remember that day well. It was a day that has changed my life forever. It opened my eyes to be sure. I do not apologize for the way I now feel, but I will never see Islam the same way as before. I don’t hate muslims, but to be honest, the trust is gone.
Hi Hudson – Thanks for sharing your comment, indeed 9/11 was a life changer.
On the Muslim issue, I am curious, how do you feel about Catholics? They did a lot of terrorist acts in Britain over the past few decades.
How about the Christians in Bosnia who terrorized the Muslims there? Do you mistrust Christians because of that?
The truth is, there are atrocities committed by pretty much every religious group, but we generally don’t mistrust them. It was only a handful of Muslims who participated in 9/11. Millions of Muslims despised what occurred at the hands of other followers of Islam.
I understand what you are saying Bob, and you’re right. However, back in the ’90’s when I got on an airplane and 6-12 men in muslim garb got on, I never gave it a second thought. Today when that happens, 9/11 still goes through my mind.
Hi Hudson – I have to say… I have Muslim friends and I don’t feel animosity toward Muslims. However, I also admit that if I were in the airplane situation that you describe, I would feel nervous. In many ways, I feel ashamed to say that, but I also think that it is somewhat human nature given what happened.
coming from a marbel (host) lions club meeting, i was right outside the gate of our house waiting for it to be openned when i decided to turn on the radio. they were reporting the first plane to hit wtc. i got inside the house in time to see the second plane do the same thing. after that, the world changed.
hi bob,
strange but after 9/11, plenty of news reports since then have been circulating both in broadcast media and online suggesting that the bombing was not done by muslim extremists, but by elements within the US govt. said reports feature interviews with federally-employed building engineers, firemen & police forces who were onsite during and after the event, all giving testimony to what they observed. seems that there’s more to the truth that what’s in the “official” report.
what’s troubling is that most of the events that led the US into war throughout history were flimsy pretexts : the so-called bombing of spanish naval forces on an american ship in cuba that triggered the spanish-american war, the sinking of SS lusitania in WW I (no proof of any attack), pearl harbor in WW II (where the US had prior knowledge that japan was going to strike) and 9/11 (some of the muslims said to be responsible were later released, no charges filed).
if only all americans were aware of what their govt is really up to, hmm ! ” )
cheers,
Hi Biz Doc – I’m sorry, but I don’t believe those conspiracy theories, in fact, I really despise those who promote such theories. There may be more than we know, in fact it is likely that things are classified. But, did the US government do it? Now way.
hi bob,
the so-called conspiracy theories behind 9/11 only came out after structural engineers who investigated the rubble of what used to be the twin towers spoke about the impossibility of the whole structure going down by just jet fuel alone. in fact a building in the cluster that was not hit by a plane also went down– hours after the main buildings crumbled to dust. i’m no engineer so i tend to listen to those with the proper engineering backgrounds to speak on the matter.
based on their scientific findings, i tend to believe that the towers were brought down not by jet fuel but by explosives used for that sort of work. jet fuel alone cannot melt structural steel encased in concrete, yet forensic evidence onsite showed that steel members actually melted, which was what brought the whole thing down. firemen & cops who were in the area during the event also reported successive explosions before the towers fell inwards– they didn’t topple over outward, keeping outside buildings intact.
now the science to make that happen is so specialized that it’s called controlled demolition. but many people died that day, including firemen & cops who went there duty-bound to serve. it would be quite unfortunate for their families not to know the truth behind their loss.
cheers,
Hi Biz Doc – LiP is a site that is devoted to life in the Philippines. Today’s article was about how my life in the Philippines was affected by events half a world away. I will not allow this site to turn into a conspiracy theory site, nor will we be debating 9-11 “truthers” here. There are thousands of sites on the net where this subject matter is appropriate, but not here. Nothing against you, you are welcome to post within the subject matter, but not this. Debates about how the US got into wars, etc. are not welcome here, because they are way, way off topic.
I hope you understand. Please cease this line of commenting.
my apologies bob.
i too remember that day when CNN covered it. grim, to say the least. the world did change, moreso for americans in the US.
cheers,
Biz, regarding flimsy pretexts that started a U.S. war, you can include the Gulf of Tonkin incident that provided the basis for the U.S. entry into the Vietnam War, but while not trying to be nitpicky, World War I was triggered, not by the Lusitania incident, but by the assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by a Bosnian.
hi ric,
you’re correct, the tonkin incident was also another event that led the US into war, that time with vietnam. as with what triggered WWI, which was clearly a european affair, you’re correct but the US pretext to join that war was the sinking of lusitania. at the moment i keep forgetting what got the US into war with korea.
btw welcome back!
cheers,
Too forgotten. The Korean war was triggered by a treacherous attack from the North. No wonder it’s forgotten. Younger Koreans forgot the contribution of other countries (it was not only the US that was there. The Philippines was there too despite still trying to recover from the effects of ww2 and suffering from a growing communist insurgent). No wonder it is the forgotten war. South Koreans have forgotten the contributions of other countries to protect them from the North Koreans and shifting the blame to “Western intervention”.
On the other hand wasn’t the Tonkin Incident supposed to be some “false alarm” so that Johnson could send more troops? Johnson once said he will not be the president to see the loss of Vietnam. Talk about ego.
Katrina: Not so… There are memorials all over Korea dedicated to the UN forces, not just the US. Last year on the 60th Anniversary, I was at Incheon Airport when the government was welcoming veterans from all over the world. The Koreans present were genuinely grateful, and there were many, many events dedicated to them, along with quite a bit of TV coverage on the Korean networks. Around 7,000 Filipinos fought in Korea, including Fidel Ramos. (Ninoy was a war correspondent there, too)
Katrina: By “welcoming”, I mean a true, VIP welcome. All incoming flights were met and veterans were escorted to special VIP areas and really hosted much like a visiting head of state… A very nice, heartfelt gesture.
I am talking about the younger generations of Koreans, not the older ones and those who built the memorials and online, there is a growing presence of “S. Korean analysts and politicians” who are attributing it to “Western Imperialism” as if the West have treacherously attacked SK.
Yes indeed, Allan. The world really changed that day, and not for the better. Will it ever go back like it was? Maybe someday, but I doubt if you or I will ever see it.
it certainly affected people worldwide.i was 15 when sept 11 happened,me and my then boyfriend watched in horror as it was broadcast across every channel here in sydney,australia.unfortunately sydney has a huge muslim population,and i can tell u from experience the majority of them are disgusting low-lives.they celebrated in the streets(remember this is in sydney,for chrissakes,not saudi barbaria)
Christina – Indeed it was a barbaric act, but it was only carried out by a handful of people. It is simply untrue that “the majority” of Muslim are “low lives,” I believe that Mindanao, where I live, has a larger population of Muslims than Sydney does, and while I have run into some Muslims that are not so nice, the vast majority have given me no problems.
Like everyone I remember that day very well and to see the F-15 Fighters that I worked on every day that was used for training, being fully loaded with live missles was a big wake-up called about what I had been doing all those years.
Hi Bill – I can see how working on the F15’s in the USA might have been very mundane and you never really made a connection to what the planes were really designed for. After what happened, it must have been a real eye opener. Talk about a real wake up call.
Hi Bob – 9/11 and the London Bombing were terrible acts. But as you say they were carried out by a few fanatics. There will always be people like that.
I did not put the date for the London Bombings because I cannot remember the date. After living through all the IRA troubles it felt more like ‘Oh no, not again’.
Some terrible things have been done in the name of religion. Christians are just as guilty
You are right Al Qaeda won by all the disruption caused.
Hi marjorie – The London bombings were on 7/7, but I am not certain on the year, I think it may have been 2006 or so?
You are right, very terrible, both of the events. I think that no matter where in the world you are, you are within reach of Al Qaeda, sadly.
Hi Bob,
I was getting ready for work that day. Just finished my shower and started watching the news to start my day. Next thing I know my phone rang and it was my mother. She told me to not go to work cause we (USA) were being bombed. I thought she was exaggerating, so I asked to put my (late) father on the phone. He told me of the planes hitting the World Trade Towers. I quickly switched on the television and was speechless from what I saw. I was shocked, angry and confused. I wanted to get to work as soon as possible cause I needed/wanted to do something. My supervisor called me (at home) and told me not to come to the office. For those who were already in the office, the firm decided to send people home. Our firm was in the process of merging with another [law] firm in the World Trade Center. Of the 600 employees at that location, only 1 person was lost. I never felt so helpless since the passing of my father. The way everyone across the country and for those who cared around the world came together, this was a test of the human spirit.
Hi Henry – Quite a touching story, and I felt the same kinds of feelings that you describe.
The way that so much of mankind came together after 9/11 was amazing. The sad thing is that it didn’t last long, though, and even our own American politicians can no longer work together anymore. Very sad.
Hi bob i remember it clearly i came home from working afternoon shift flicked on the tv and thought i had turned onto a movie then the phone rang and a friend asked if i had seen the news , why thats the question what did they acheive ,they killed innocent men and women doing there daily living ,they killed heroes who tried to save those trapped in the buildings and they started what will probably be the longest war in history the war on terrorism that will never end ,we have cut of the tip of the tree now we need to catch and despatch the rest until there is nothing left on the ground but woodchips ,we have a few of these people in supermax the name for our strongest prison there is no contact with the outside ,other prisoners and they are escorted everywhere by i think at least three gaurds in shackels ,a lot of money spent to look after this vermin when around 30 cents and a blindfold seems a lot cheaper unfortunately we are a civilized country and its against the rules to do such , i wonder if the tables were turned would the same rules apply , let us remember all that are not with us anymore and vow never to stop seeking justice for them and there families as they would have done for us .
chris
.
Chris – I believe that you have hit the nail squarely on the head. In some ways the shoe is on the other foot. Al Qaeda and their affiliates have captured westerners like Daniel Pearl, a news reporter who was captured in Pakistan, and they cut his head off. There have been many beheadings done by Al Qaeda of people they have captured. If they are captured and sent to Guantanamo Bay, they complain of bad treatment, even though they are given all of the things they want and need. Frankly, it’s beyond the pale. Any of these guys who actually had any connection at all to 9/11 however peripheral deserve whatever they get.
Thanks for your comment, Chris.
Expect in 10-20 years, Americans will forget 9/11 and that it is entirely the “fault” of the US. Expect them to forget that a lot of Al-Qaida victims are their fellow Muslims, too. Just like how people complain about Hiroshima and Nagasaki yet deliberately forget what happened in Bataan, Manila, Wake Island, and Pearl Harbor and the human experiments done in China to Western and Chinese POW. Not to mention Okinawa where Japanese soldiers ordered civilians to make suicide for the sake of their Army’s pride! Just like how they forgot that most of those who suffered under the Japanese Imperial Army where fellow Asians.
In the eyes of the self-hating “patriots”, it is always the fault of the US. Never mind if some non-US warmongering started it all, it is always the fault of the US. Maybe, these people should just renounce their US citizenship.
I’m not sure if “political correctness” has done “justice”. Maybe “just us”?
Personally, I don’t think that Americans will forget 9/11. Look at us today, we really remember Pearl Harbor, and it happened in 1941.
I am not sure of Pearl Harbor, more and more Americans are starting to believe of PH conspiracy, that the US provoked “poor Japan” because of the embargo. But it stops there. No mention of why the embargo.
It will likely happen to 9/11 too. Lots are starting to think that it is something done by the US gov’t not terrorists.
the people who believe in the conspiracies are a very small minority, just vocal.
I do understand Bob’s thinking about the Muslims over all. But, 9/11 has changed my way of thinking when I see a muslim on the street in the Philippines. How do I know if that muslim is the good one or the bad one? What about all the bad muslims in the mountains in southern Mindanao? I do agree that not all muslims are bad, but I am still very cautious when I see one walking down the street. I guess this is human nature of me to think that way since what happened on 9/11.
art
Ha ha ha.. “all the bad muslims in the mountains in southern Mindanao”??? Firstly, the vast majority of the Muslim population lives in Western Mindanao, not Southern Mindanao. Secondly… let’s look at the Abu Sayyaf Group… did you know that Abu Sayyaf is thought to consist of only about 200 members? Now, there are as many as 12 or 13 million Muslims in the Philippines, and 200 of them are members of the “bad guys” terrorist group. It really doesn’t jive with the “all the bad Muslims” that you mention. Also, for the most part, the bad guys in the mountains are not usually Muslims, the bad guys in the mountains are more likely to be NPA – Communist rebels. The biggest numbers of Muslims live in the Sulu Peninsula and the Zamboanga peninsula… on the water. The Tausugs and Sama and Badjaos are water people who live on the water, not in the mountains.
Are all Christians Muslim haters? So should every Muslim be cautious when they see a Christian on the street?
In Northern Luzon, there is a steady growing Muslim population, In Dagupan, San Fernando and Baguio and there has not any incident of terrorist bombing either. There are pillboxes exploding on rare occasions but they’re more of gang-related than terrorism.
Interestingly, SLU (a Catholic school in Baguio) has many Muslims from the South and from overseas enrolled when there are far more non-Catholic private and government Universities alike that has been producing board top notchers. In some rare occasion, they event take up theology — a course they are not required to take.
And Bob does have a point on the NPA (who by the way are “godless” and “allahless”) yet they have killed around 40,000 people most of them civilians. The NPA known to terrorize civilians in the countryside, bomb important infrastructure because the company won’t chime to their “revolutionary” tax.
If you ask me, the communist insurgents in the Philippines are more of a threat than even the Muslim secessionist (let alone the kidnap for ransom group Abu Sayaff) as these commies have infiltrated the Congress(partylist system) and sucking on the taxpayers money(porkbarrel –imagine your tax money being spend to destroy the country!) and trying to paralyze the AFP and they also have infiltrated schools and they “hire” vulnerable students to join their “armed resistance”.
Hi Art – Where on earth do you get your information from? I shall say no more.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Bob
You are right, it was a day that changed the world. For me the worst part was not that day, but the years that followed. I remember the worrying about my brother-in-law, a career Marine, when he went into Iraq. Listening on the news as they list the dead. The relief went he got out. Then my nephew ( 22 yr old LT in the Canadian army) did a tour in Afganistan. Watching flag covered coffins come of the planes. Not a very happy time. And all this caused by some crazies interpertation of what God wants.
A side note. Did you know that when the US govt ordered all planes to land immediately or be shot down, thousands of Americans were stranded in Canada? A lot in small airports that had no accommodations for them? Ordinary Candians hearing what was happening went down to these airports and took these Americans to their homes to wait it out. A lot was lost because of 9-11, but friends were made for life, too. That’s the thing that gives hope. Al-Qaeda didn’t win. At least in my opinion.
Hi Allan – You are right, there have been many hardships in the years following 9/11. Many families of military men and women continue to suffer pains, and the society as a whole. This is part of the reason why I say that in many ways Al Qaeda got what they wanted from 9/11.
I did not know about the many Canadian families who took in Americans during that time. That is an inspiring side to the tragedy.
Hi Bob
This is even more inspiring. I was watching the news. On Sept 11, memorials were held all across Canada. Americans who were stuck in Canada and taken in by Canadian families came back to these towns for the services. As they put it, they wanted to be with their friends to remember. One lady has been coming back to a small town, population approx 10,000 , Gander, Newfoundland, every year since. She is a retired university professsor. Knowing how important education is, she raised one million dollars in scholarships for the kids in this economically depressed area. She has been made an honorary citizen of the town. Some of the older people noted: “It was like the second world war. Neighbors came together to face the enemy.” Al Qaeda won a battle, but sure as hell lost the war. Not because they were defeated by the military, which they were, but by common people who refuse to hide. There were a lot of threats made about the services in New York, but look how many people showed up.
Somebody earlier in this thread mentioned about Canadians taking in Americans during 9/11. it was something I did not know, but it is quite inspiring to me. I wonder why this went largely unreported.
Politics I’m afraid. You must remember right after 9-11 the US govt under Bush wanted to invade Iraq. They wanted a coalition of forces, Canada included, to immediate commit to invading Iraq. The Canadian govt at the time said no. They didn’t see Iraq as part of 9-11 and they didn’t believe the US intel about Iraq. Turns out they were right. Canada did provide back up in the form of naval operations, etc and have been a part of Afganistan all along, but the “No” made US news with no explanation of why they said no. It made for a lot of (temporary) anti-Canada feeling. France too. The US govt started talking a lot of “going it alone” and ” allies not backing them up”. That was the way it was. Americans felt threatened. Fear ruled. Truth, reason and common sense took a back seat. All history now. Obama wrote a letter thanking Canada for their help in 9-11. Most Americans know their govt was completely wrong with the intel about Iraq. Afganistan dragged on for ten years and didn’t really change much. I bet five years after our forces pull out, they go right back to their old ways.
Allan, the coalition forces that actually invaded Iraq comprised of only two major Western powers, you know who they are. True, there were a smattering of Czechs, Poles, Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese, but they were in the rear performing low-level tasks and their numbera never came close to what was cobbled together in the first Gulf war. Back then, there was an international consensus, sanctioned by the UN. Collectively, the coalition forces represented the world’s opinion – multilateralism at its finest. It’s all water under the bridge now as you say, but IMO, history will remember that the administration deliberately trumped up dire stories of Iraq’s weapons capabilities in order to galvanize the American people behind the war and used the hysteria of 9/11 to justify the war against a nation that posed no threat to American national security. What was repugnant to many people was the idea that a nation as powerful as we can just cross a weaker nation’s sovereign borders to topple a regime, no matter how despicable, while wreaking death and devastation along the way. It just goes against the precept of international law while making us look like schoolyard bullies. That, I am afraid, is how the Iraq War will be remembered in history, not by Saddam, for example, having used WMD against the Kurds and Iranians.
I have asked that the comments on this post not be used for political commentary. That is not what this site is about. I beg you to please honor my request.
Point well taken, Bob. Sorry.
Thank you Ricardo.
Sorry Bob
I wasn’t trying to say anything political. Just explained what happen. I will say this. Canda and the US are related as neighbors, friends and thru cross border marriages, family. They have and always will, stand together as that. I , for one, never confuse the US govt with Americans, if you know what I mean.There is a very famous radio broadcast by a international known Canadian , Gordon Sinclair, called “The Americans” done many years ago when radio was big.. It states what most Canadians feel. Please check it out.
No worries, Allan. I just like to keep US politics off of here, because it leads to too many arguments and hard feelings.
We were in Davao on 9/11/2001. I swear, the very next day on 9/12 my kids and I saw a jeepney in downtown Davao that had a fresh painting on its driver-side door of 2 planes hitting the two towers and the words – “We will never forget! God Bless To All Who Perished.”
Hi Jon – That is really amazing, but not surprising. Those Jeepney owners and drivers are really on the ball.
I am curious, Jon… I know that you had lived in NYC previous to 9/11, then came to Davao for a couple years. When you went back to NYC and saw the blank skyline where the towers used to be, did it give you an empty feeling?
Yes, indeed, it gave me an empty feeling and without the twin towers, the city didn’t feel like NYC.
I have to say, Jon, I am a bit disappointed that my country cannot even have one building completed in ten years. The original WTC was completed in much less time.
I was working at Arundel Mills Mall that day when the In-Mall TV System changed over the news coverage. I’ll never forget seeing the second plane hit, nor hearing the distant thud of the plane hitting the Pentagon. I found out later Elizabeth Wanio, a lady I graduated High School with, was on Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania.
HI Louis – I didn’t know that you had lost a schoolmate in 9/11, my condolences. Like you, it is an event that I will never forget.
That was a very painful time for us. My husband’s best friend was one of the pilots of American Flight 11, the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center. My husband had a nagging feeling all morning because we hadn’t heard from him. We finally called his house and our fears were confirmed. I can’t even describe the tear-filled emotions we went through. My husband spoke at his memorial service. To this day he has a hard time watching film footage about 9/11.
Tom McGuinness was a great man, husband, and father.
Hi Heidi – Here is a cheer to Tom McGuinness. I hope that in the end he got a big reward up where these victims belong. I am sorry to hear of your loss.
I remember reading articles about reports of a blue print of the 9/11 when a terrorist was foiled in the Philippines. I wonder if the report is true and if it was true, how can the US be so lenient? I guess they still distrust the “bamboo telegraph” in the Philippines?
That’s very true, Katrina. Ramzi Yusef was in the Philippines for a time, and it is when he planned the first WTC attack, and started laying the framework for 9/11 with his uncle.
I’d still give the FBI, and State Department the benefit of the doubt. Whenever I read articles about it, it is usually “alleged”. I wonder how much of it was embellished. It doesn’t help that both the PNP and Philippine media are known for over-sensationalizing and embellishing. And the reports only became widely known “after” 9/11.
In case it is true, how come they were able to find blue prints of twin towers but not of the Rizal day bombings (which happened after 9/11)?
Amazingly, Filipinos forgot about it.
hey bob–I got my directions mixed up going from Davao city to the mountains. well, I guess i have been misled by filipino people that was borned and raised in the philippines. I have been told by several citizens there that some of the muslims are bad. How would I know any difference when the information came from the locals? Sure, there was never a # put on how many were bad.
Jim–I got my information from the filipino cititzens about being cautious of the muslims. I didn’t reach up and take it out of the air. Even my financee that was borned and raised in Tagum for 35 years has told me over and over that some of the muslims are dangereous. I didn’t include all of the muslims!!! I don’t condem all of any race or religious beliefs, but I have the right to be cautious on some groups in other countries like the philippines.
Art, but now you say that some locals told you that “some of the Muslims are bad.” In your previous comment you said that “the majority of Muslims are bad.” That is a huge difference. I agree, some Muslims are bad. Some atheists are bad, some Catholics are bad, some Christians are bad, there is bad in every group. That is the point I am trying to make.
Hey Bob—you might want to read that previous comment again. I never said the majority of muslins are bad. I said,”what about all the bad muslims living in the moutains” I didn’t say all muslims live there. I never put any # on the muslims living in the mountains since I don’t have that information. Also, right below that comment I also said,.” I do agree that not all muslims are bad.”
Thanks for the info
art
Hi Art – I apologize, after reviewing the comments, I realize that I mixed up the “majority” thing which came from another person’s comment.
911 plot was first uncovered in the Philippines back in 1995. Airplanes will be hijacked and fly THEM like missiles into important landmarks in the US. It could have been avoided if the FBI paid attention to the intelligence thay’ve received from Philippine National Police. The FBI said they didn’t give any importance to the intelligence they received from their Filipino counterparts since there was no dates mention in the report when the attack will take place!!!
BLAME THE F%%#$%$%KG INCOMPETENT FBI
Filipino ego on the rise? Couldn’t blame the FBI don’t trust the PNP which is hurdled with corruption and incompetence (remember: hostage incident 2010! something that could have been solved in the first few hours!)
While I agree that what was uncovered in Manila should have made the FBI and State Department more cautious, however, there is much more than we know. Add to that the growing political correctness in the US. It’s more of grey than black and white. How sure are we that the FBI knows exactly where the terrorist would attack? People only made fuss about it AFTER the attacks, that things were connected and the Nostradamus predicted the twin towers incident (who know it could have been the twin towers in Kuala Lumpur!)
I do not mean to discredit the Filipinos (First I am Filipino), however, one should really be careful when dealing with conspiracy theories.
So was the landing/crashing in New Mexico aliens?
How could you mixed what I’ve said with stroking egos ? I’m just stating what have been reported repeatedly on print, news broadcast and even documentaries about 911 attacks and the Philippine connection. The FBI disregard the report they received from Manila, read this, here are the key words: “Due to NO exact dates when the attack will take place”…I only mentioned it because that was the key in avoiding 911 attacks and people shouldn’t forget that the FBI did a disservice to the US citizens…they failed to protect the innocent civilians killed in the attacks either due to incompetency or sleeping on the job.
Katrina says:
How sure are we that the FBI knows exactly where the terrorist would attack?
For real, are you kidding me? Please quit being know it all.
Exactly, atong! A shame.
I was getting ready for work and my husband got a message from the President of NATCA saying that the ATC (air traffic controllers) are not allowed to talk to the media about the event. I saw the second airplane live hit the tower.
Hi August – it was terrible to see the second plane hit on TV, I can’t imagine what it would be like to see it live. It was a terrible day.
Hi Bob -Two scenes I’ll always remember… the people jumping 15,20,30,40 stories high. Saw it from watching live cable news. It was awful.. shocking, sad And perhaps the most poignant was day after 9/11 when cable news showed a reporter in tears interviewing people searching for loved ones.. Even though I’m not an American, I felt the sadness.
Hi sugar – Indeed, it was so sad. Seeing those people jumping from the upper floors (they were jumping from the 80th to 90+ floors, btw) was horrifying and made me feel literally ill.
The evening of Sept 10, I was at JFK Intl. Airport checking in and waiting to board a flight to London Heathrow to visit friends in England. I usually arrive at the airport well ahead of the 3 hour pre flight check in time as access roads to JFK Intl are subject to frequent traffic jams & delays. Having a few cups of coffee, stepping outside once in a while for a smoke, I could not help but notice what seemed like a lot more people in the place with ” SECURITY ” on the back of the jackets or vests they were wearing. At the time I was not too concerned about it as I was ready to begin my vacation. It was just something I happen to notice that was different from previous flights to London.
A few hours later after boarding the plane at the scheduled time, it seemed like we were waiting on the tarmac for quite a long time for no apparant reason. There were no unusual weather conditions that I can recall. I finally asked a flight attendant why we were waiting so long and maybe we should go back to the terminal if the wait was going to be much longer. I can not remember any specific answer from the flight attendant only , that if we were to go back to the terminal we would loose our place in the queue delaying us a lot longer.
Arrived at Heathrow, my friends were their waiting for me and made the hour or so drive to their house. I decided to take a snooze after lunch. I think I had just fallen asleep and then my friends wife is pounding on the guest room door to wake me up to come downstairs to see something about a plane crash on TV. My first thought was something about a local plane crash in the area.
I just got in front of the TV about 3o seconds before the second plane hit and I was still a bit groggy and wondered what could cause something like that to happen ? Navagation system gone wild or something and zeroing in on the broadcast transmissions from the Tower on top of WTC ?
Needless to say for the rest of that day and the days that followed we were all pretty much glued to the TV. BBC had excellent ” Live ” coverage. When I heard all of the airports were closed I wondered if this would affect my return flight. I was walking to a nearby store every morning buying several newspapers and spending a good part of the day reading them.
When I think about it, what seemed like a lot of extra people at JFK Intl. with those security jackets or vests on the evening of Sept 10, I wonder if they knew something might be in the works but did not know where or when. I have not seen anything like that since then .
It was sad when I returned home and was crossing the Whitestone Bridge, looking to my left at the Manhattan Skyline and noticing a big void in it.
I remember when those towers were being built. They created signal images on Broadcast TV when the transmitters were still at the Empire State Building. The Images on everyones screen were two colums on the screen.
It was after my return I learned more detail of what was going on here in the NY City metro area. All TV except for Chanel 2, WCBS was knocked out ( Ch 2 was at Empire and not WTC ). I think it was Harris who stopped production to rush manufacture of replacement transmitters for New York TV and possibly other New York communications services. Some stations set up transmitting equipment and antennas at the original ” Armstrong Tower ” in Alpine New Jersey which was where the birth of FM Broadcast Radio took place.
A friend of mine who worked on the broadcast transmitting equipment in WTC just happen to be running late for work the morning of 9 / 11 due to a traffic jam. He told me they were about a block away when the first plane hit. They pulled the car off the road and he and his co worker got out and just ran and ran and ran as fast as they could as far as they could to get away from the towers. They both survived.
Hi Bob – What a story that you left NYC just hours ahead of the attacks. So, you and I had a similar experience that we were both abroad when our country was attacked. I hope we never live to see it again.
10 year ago, I was heavily pregnant with our 2nd child and was working in the US Naval Facilities here in the Middle East. I remember the feeling of disbelief. It was all surreal. It was afternoon where we live and I was just leaving my office. We had a TV screen in our place of work and I saw the 2nd plane hit the 2nd tower. Phones rang frantically. It was a short drive home for me and I remember talking to my husband on the phone who updated me about the following events. It was all so overwhelming for me then that I felt my baby kick inside me and had to pull over for a short whle to gather my breath back. It was a very sombre moment. Operation enduring Freedom followed then and I was involved as a civilian with the preparation of the US forces to go in Afghanistan, with Middle East as its platform, until before the day I delivered my baby. I worked with many Americans whose spirits were charged after 9/11. We live amongst the Muslims and Arabs who strongly condemned the terroristic acts that occured in the US. We all shed tears for the victims of the attacks and their families. We all united in prayer.
We still live in the Middle East surrounded by decent, peace loving Muslims who, just like us, get on with their lives, families and responsibilities. It is a shame that a minority group has tarnished their imaged, and perhaps has created a biased generalization for those who do not know their culture.
The way we traveled and our views of public security has forever changed after 9/11.
Today, after 10 years, I pray that wounds continue to heal and may reconciliation flourish.
Thanks for your story, Alfre, regarding the events in the Middle East on 9/11. It really was interesting to read.
10 years ago, i was working at a very large commercial airline company in saudi arabia when that eventful day happened…
Hi Jonathan, that must have been one heck of an experience. Working in the airline business when the central theme of the tragedy revolved around airplanes. Also, being in the Middle East when it was Arabs who carried out the tragedy. I bet you have some stories to tell!
Yes Bob, it was one heck of an experience. Having been on Saudi Arabia in the 90’s, never it occured in my mind that there was some kind of “animosity” or “brewing animosity” between them and the US, afterall the Saudis are dubbed as the American Boys of the Middle East. They love everything the West has to offer. If they wanna go to the US they can get a visa and hop-in on the next flight without any problems. So, it was really a big surprise that most of them “hi-jackers” were Saudis. The day after 9/11, everyone were silent in the workplace (amongst them at least), no special mention of the tragedy that befell America. It was just like an ordinary working day for them. It was sooo surreal!
Hi Jonathan – that indeed is quite surreal. Frankly, I would have probably felt insulted that they did not offer their condolences on the tragedy.
To tell you the truth, I was scared Bob because we don’t know what will the US do next? Will the US retaliate to them? War is in the air and I’m in the ME. I remember one American expat working with us who was jittery and he looks terribly anxious. I was talking to him and we were discussing what happened and he shared to me his experineces in Iran in the 80’s and we were worried it would be like that in Saudi. Whew!
I can only imagine the fear, Jonathan!
I think i was home that day just outside London watching it live, ok the first plane not but when the 2nd plane hit yes i saw it live, after the first plane i thought thats not an accident, this has to be a Bruce Wills film as i did not want to belive what i saw, and Bruce never came. Last night i watched BBC World news until midnight i, , then they only got to the names starting in N. Idid see the boy that said thanks to his father as he was in his mummys tummy at the time, yes time to go in the dirty kitchen to wipe my face, the last woman i saw last night i missed some of her words but i heard Mabuhay Lahat
Hi alan – I was watching last night also when they were reading the names, and there were a number of very touching moments. I even learned a few things from the memorials that I did not know about 9/11.
Well, me being a christian and after reading all of the comments I still do not believe that the extremist muslims are behind the attack. It has been proven beyond any doubt that the terrorists could not do it. At least technically it was not possible.
Now if they could not do it, who else could have done it?
Curiously not a single person here has raised this question despite the countless disturbing evidences surrounding this issue.
Robert – Apparently you did not read all the comments, because this issue was raised, and I quickly stepped in and told people that the topic of the conspiracy theories is not open for discussion on LiP. This is not a US politics site. US politics is not open for discussion here. There are lots of 9/11 truther sites, please take this topic to one of those sites, and not here on LiP.
many people around the world consider the United States Air Force to be the largest terrorist organization on earth and as such simply view the events of 9/11 as the chickens coming home to roost. we all garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of our own husbandry
ricky a