WNY Shares Their 9/11 Stories on Mix 96

As we commemorate the day that changed America 14 years ago, we asked you to share your thoughts and stories via phone (716-644-9696) and text (716-241-9696)....

From Text line:

On September 11, 2001 I was serving in the Army. Even though life continues after that day, there is always an undercurrent on September 11 for me. It just left an indelible mark on all of us. - Mary Beth, Orchard Park
My daughter was born 14 years ago today. I nurse in the hospital remarked to me " what a horrible day to be born" how very wrong she was! Good things counter act bad!
As a kid I would hear my father talk about his time served in the army during the Korean War, and my brother in law about his time in Vietnam. But 9/11 was the event of my generation. As a new mom at the time, i couldn't grasp the severity of what happened that day. Remembering that day never gets any easier. And now that my children are older, I'm the one telling them the story of that horrible day and I still can't find the words to tell them "why". I still cry when telling them and I don't think the emotions we felt and still feel will ever leave us
I was working for Verizon during the days following 9/11 when families called in begging and pleading for the recordings and voicemails of their loved ones last words from the planes, the towers, the elevators.I was in pieces- we all were. -Jenna, Elma
9/11 makes me so profoundly sad. Along with so many people I have to remind mysel to breathe. My sister lives in DC and has an office in NY City, across the street from the then tower one. She was supposed to be there, in the basement deli of that tower having breakfast with her friend Jay Magazine. Jay was the catering sales manager of Windows of the World. He had a 13 year old daughter, a 10 year old son and a wife he adored. He died that day. My sister missed her train into the city. My mom and sister and I didn't know she missed her train. We all died a little that day. All cell and computer communication was knocked out in both DC where she was and NYC. We didn't get a call in from her until 10:30pm. I literally had my knees buckle. I was in the patrol room of the Sheriff's office I worked in setting it up for roll call with a young clerk named Becky. I turned on the television. We saw the towers fall. We just fell into chairs and stared in disbelief. I have never seen such confusion, disbelief and fear in someone's eyes. Numb is the only word that can describe the people in that building that day. My husband and I lived fairly close to an airport. The first plane I saw in the air after they started flying again was while I was driving. I had to pull over and stop because I was shaking so hard and had no control over it. I sat there and wept for a half hour. So, that is my story, my kidneys are very close to my eyes on this date and I just start crying when I think about it. I love you guys and you help your radio family by letting us get out our story. Thanks~ you are the best part of my today!
Thanks for turning me into a soggy eyed mess on my drive. I remember when my then seven year old daughter asked me if there were kids in that building. :( that was a tough discussion but i was honest. - Carey, Lockport
2001 was an earth shattering year for me. My grandmother passed away, as did my dogs, I married someone I shouldn't have, my father nearly lost his life several times, ended up losing his leg instead of his life (thankfully), I started a new job in which I didn't fit in with any of the cliques then lost that job shortly after the occurrences of this very day. I was standing in the lobby of The Ellicott Square building in disbelief of what I was seeing and all I could think about was my baby girl at home and me not with her. This day 14 years ago was a huge eye opener for me, I became attentive to politics, current events and I learned suffering at other peoples loss. I learned that in the face of adversity the people of this country can put aside the differences they have and come together for the good of all people. I gained an even greater respect for those men and women who CHOOSE to protect me and my loved ones, and I thank each and every one who is actively serving as well as our veterans for putting your life on the line for this country. Armed Forces, Firefighters, Police and Emergency Response you are all held in a high regard and deserve to be honored, not just today, but every day. - Christine, Buffalo
Hi my name is Felicia. WOW that was so moving I was crying trying to make coffee. But like so many of us who remember that day so clearly. I was at work and that it was a joke. Than a few minutes later to find out it was real and happen here to us. Work let us go home, my TV never went off the whole week. God bless the USA and all of us that still feel the pain of so many lost.
I'm 32, I was getting my shots for college. I was listening to the radio and heard the first plane hitting the first twin towers., I didn't believe it until I arrived home seeing my mom balling her eyes out trying to call my uncle who worked not to far from it. The lines wasn't working. My mom feared for my uncle. That's when I realized it was actually happening. I couldn't believe it. Sad day - Danny G, Williamsville
I lived in DC on 9/11 and watched the plane hit the Pentagon. We didn't even know about the towers yet, but when the plane hit the Pentagon we turned on the TV and lived through the terror with the nation. I drove by the Pentagon everyday while it was being repaired thinking of all the lives that were lost that day. -Monique, Derby