9/11 Remembrance: Where we were on 9/11

We asked readers via Facebook to share their memories of where they were, what they were doing and how they were feeling the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Here are a few of the responses:

In Germany, at a school meeting. I was pregnant at the time, past my due date. My parents were actually in the air flying to Germany as the events all day unfolded.

My husband who was in the Air Force had no idea what had happened when he arrived at the airport to meet my parents. It was nearly an hour later when he got back to our base when he was told.

Needless to say being military overseas during these events was quite an experience I’ll never forget it!

— Valerie McCamish, Muleshoe

I was working in the Pentagon. I heard about two airplanes crashing into the towers and then heard and felt what sounded like a bomb go off.

We were told to evacuate the building. And eventually told to go home. By then the metro had been shut down and the roads were at a standstill with traffic as all of DC tried to evacuate the city.

I finally made it home over three hours later and was back at work in the Pentagon the next morning planning.

— Warren Henderson, Clovis native now living in Charlotte, N.C.

I still remember it like it just happened. Being in high school, I was at marching band practice. We didn’t get what was happening until we went inside … I recall seeing people scared and crying. It wasn’t until I went to my second class that I fully grasped what was happening.

The fear was palpable. I went to work later that afternoon, all the TV screens were focused on the news coverage. People entering to shop were still processing what happened.

I think about that day and everyone we lost on that day. My heart beats a little sadder every September 11th. Never forget.

— Juan Rivas, Clovis High graduate

Sitting in fifth grade at James Bickley Elementary. My parents came to get me before lunch from school to be at home.

— Kaci Bell, Texico

I was getting ready for classes for the day. Our phone started ringing. It was one of my roommates’ moms. She asked if we were OK, and told me that we were under attack. I asked by who? She said, "We don't know!" We didn't have cable so I hurried over to the University Theatre Center at ENMU and all the theater students sat in the greenroom and watched the news on a tiny TV.

— Jennifer Parker-Reeve, Portales

I was getting ready for work. My son and nephew were in Marine Corps basic training. I lost it, cried out loud.

I called my husband who was already at work. He could not understand what I was saying through the panic in my voice.

I also called my sister. We cried and prayed together. I had to calm down, went to work and everyone was standing in front of the TV in my supervisor's office watching in disbelief.

— Hilda Hernandez, Clovis

I was passing morning meds to the residents that lived at the Senior Citizen Resident Center. That’s when the little Japanese bathing aid came by my desk and said in broken English, “America is under attack, we’re going to war.”

Tears were streaming down her face as she pulled me to the nearest television to see the planes hit the Towers. I wanted to leave my job, get my children and mom to my home and be safe. Of course I had to wait until my shift was over, but that’s exactly what I did.

My son was terrified of going outside for a few days, thinking a plane would drop a bomb on us. Very very sad day!

— Lisa Loucks, Clovis

I was work at Walt Disney World at the Hollywood Tower of Terror Attraction Ride.

Most of the people in the parks were from other countries and we had to evacuate the park shortly after the second plane hit. We were not allowed to tell them why they had to leave other than to return to the hotel for safety and turn on their TV. Many could not understand English so it took more time to evacuate.

After the evacuation we just all sat in the break rooms watching the news. Our college program workers hailed from New York City and the surrounding area and most were in a panic as they tried to contact friends and family they knew in the Towers. Most had to leave the internship program that fall due to their mental state and trauma.

WDW became a no fly zone for many years and working at the tallest building onsite meant we were extra vigilant of any threats. That included bags left alone and powdered substances because there was also the scare of biological weapons.

Everything about the Happiest Place on Earth changed that day. As a result security bag checks began and continue to this day.

— Andi Fells, Portales

I was active duty MSgt USAF in Alaska. I woke up to the news. Basically we went into lockdown. ThreatCon Delta. I watched it unfold on the TV. Total shock and anger. I had been in the Pentagon just one week prior. Never forget.

— Clinton Lee, Clovis

With our daughter Conlea Moore in the Clovis hospital delivering her first baby! Happy 20th birthday Dawson Chavez!

— Jeff Moore, Amarillo

I was at work on Cannon AFB watching it unfold on TV. A few days later our military deployed to build forward operating bases. God bless all who served and gave their lives, both military and first responders as well as all those who went to work that morning expecting a normal day. Many gave their lives.

— Ken Cable, Clovis

I was in Schneider dining hall on Wellesley College Campus. I was a unit manager comforting a young lady who was hysterical and frantically trying to reach her father after the first plane hit, only to have her see another one hit.

I never found out if he was alive or deceased.

I think that was a day that made me believe I was meant to be a counselor of some sort. The disparity in her face killed me!

— Michele Perry, Clovis