Editor’s Note: Our columnist Laurie Baron contributed this memory of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Twenty years later, do you have recollections of the day terrorists hijacked four planes, destroyed the Twin Towers in New York City, damaged the Pentagon, and crashed into a field in Philadelphia, killing in the process 2,977 people in the air, on the ground, and in the buildings? Your recollections are welcome!
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — “Although I live in San Diego, 9/11 made me feel vulnerable as an American for the first time. I was about to leave my house to drive to the airport to catch a flight to San Francisco at 8 am (Pacific time). The first plane hit the World Trade Center at 5:46 am my time and the second at 6:03 am. Fortunately, I glanced at the Today Show at 6 am and watched this tragedy unfold. I quickly realized I wasn’t flying anywhere that day. I was overcome with simultaneous feelings of collective rage and individual gratitude over what was transpiring on the television screen.” — Laurie Baron, Ph.D
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“My 1st memory was trying to get my kids ready for school but my 11 year old son was watching what I thought was a disaster movie on tv. It took a few moments to realize it was a disaster; not a movie.” — Arlette Smith
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“Grossmont College did not cancel classes. My students were all horrified. My very religious Muslim student [ who would later be arrested, wrongfully accused, and later acquitted thanks to his Jewish lawyers] came up to me to tell me that that was not the way of Islam” — Mimi Pollack
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“I was ordering balloons for an event when my sales rep suddenly went “holy sh** they’re bombing us- they’re bombing the World Trade Center” I remember running to the tv but I don’t remember if I finished the order or not.” — Sandi Masori
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“I went immediately to work on a story about how our local Jewish community reacted to the horrible events. Here is a link: 2001-09-14: Terrorism-reaction (sandiegojewishworld.com)” — Donald H. Harrison
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“I was supposed to be in New York that day, but had stayed in San Diego because I promised to attend an event a few days before at a house in Rancho Santa Fe for the AJE (or maybe it was JFS, but I’m pretty sure it was AJE). At the event, I bought a gorgeous kiddush cup made by a gifted artist from Italy. The morning of 9/11, we were called by a friend from the east coast who said “turn on the t.v.” We were stunned. I decided not to send the kids to school. A few hours later, the Italian artist called to see whether I was interested in the havdallah set I was admiring at the event. I asked him where he was, he replied “I’m in my car, in Rancho Santa Fe, why?” I didn’t want to tell him what was happening over the phone. I gave him directions to our house, and took his hand and sat him down in front of the television. He stayed with us for 10 days. Where was he going to go? Before he left, my husband bought the Havdallah set for me. We are still friends , and to this day Luigi Del Monte and I communicate each September 11th.”– Julie Potiker
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“I was in Manhattan that day.” — Sharron Grappel Resnick
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“In shock, after hearing of these savage attacks, I rode the elevator up to the Seventh Floor of Scripps Memorial Hospital. My shift began, it was a struggle to concentrate on my patients. The thought kept intruding, “HERE, IN THE U.S.,” it was unthinkable. It was devastating. Terror, indeed, was the word.” — Ellen Robbins
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“ln the middle of the night, we drove to Qualcomm stadium to become a red part of this human flag. What really struck me is the stopped traffic at 3 am and the unity in the streets even prior to getting there. People were calm, patient with each other, strangers smiled and as the event disbanded newly acquainted hugged each other. The feeling was EMPOWERED and a country United. Yet, sadly today, 20 yes. later we stand a country divided with hate mothering, misinformation and double standards. In the last two days, more people died from Covid then on 9/11. My personal prayer is to regain our love for each other and for how we came together after 9/11, to once again be United in how we stand. Will you pledge with me to seek unity?” — Mo Bailey