New York City/Vancouver/Fraser Valley – Where were you, 20 years ago, on that fateful morning of September 11, 2001. Terrorists armed with box-cutters hijacked four airliners out of Boston. Two slammed into the World Trade Centre Twin Towers in New York City. One slammed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. The other crash landed in a farmers field in Pennsylvania. It was later discovered, that particular plane was to hit the White House.
We watched a stunned President George W. Bush , in a classroom of elementary kids, try to comprehend what he was told by advisors.
Closer to home, YVR, Vancouver International Airport, was receiving planes from all over the globe. Many from carriers that did not service Vancouver.
All air flight was grounded.
YXX Abbotsford International Airport would not open their international customs for another year (2002).
People driving through the valley noticed the lack of planes in the sky.
And the eerie realization of no birds either.
Yes, time flies (pardon the bad pun) but the horror for many remains from that fateful morning, when we turned on our TV’s to witness the unthinkable. FVN and chillTV News Director Don Lehn recalls a moment with Pamela McCall. The two worked together in 2007 at News 1130 Vancouver. On September 11, 2001, Ms. McCall was on the air in New York City, working for ABC Radio News and watched the planes hit the World Trade Centre from her studio window. She told Lehn, “to this day, I still have nightmares.”
Musician Randy Bachman was on a promotional tour in New York City when it happened. Bachman said he saw the second plane come in from his hotel window.
From the tragedy, Country Singer Alan Jackson wrote the Grammy nominated hit “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning”. Bruce Springsteen wrote the album “The Rising” and the haunting song “You’re Missing”. Neil Young wrote “Let’s Roll” in honour of those that tried to stop the plane headed for the White House.
FVN asked a number of fire departments for a comment on this sad date.
Chilliwack Firefighters Charity posted to Instagram: 20 years ago, 2,977 lives were taken. Of those 2,977 lives, 343 were firefighters for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
As of today, 254 FDNY firefighters have reportedly died from illnesses related to the 9/11 World Trade Center attack, and thousands of first responders currently face ongoing health effects.
Please join us in honoring the courage of those who put themselves in harm’s way to save people they never knew.
Tom DeSourcy, Fire Chief with Hope Fire: We will be gathering to take part in the Brigade Days Parade and will take a moment in remembrance as a dept so expect a post or two from us forthcoming.
Mission Fire: The lives of thousands of people were lost during the terrorist attacks in the United States, on Sept. 11, 2001.
The ripple effect of those heinous acts has impacted many facets of our lives, irrevocably changing how many North Americans viewed the world and our place in it.
For the fire service in particular, this is a difficult day.
Today, MFRS joins millions of our brothers and sisters throughout the worldwide family in mourning the loss of 343 firefighters.
We will never forget your sacrifice.
You will not be forgotten.
Where were you, when 9-11 happened?
Feel free to comment.
