After the Sept.11, 2001, attacks, the oft-repeated refrain became “Never Forget.” Twenty-five years later, it’s clear that many who were around on that day have not forgotten how that day changed us, as a country and as individuals.
NBC News asked followers on social media to share their memories of that day — the things they will never forget about one of the most pivotal days in American history.Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
All times are approximate and listed as Eastern.A harrowing morning 8:50 a.m., New Jersey: My husband and I had been in the building the evening prior and now this was happening! I watched the towers tumble like dominos on TV, something I didn’t know buildings could do.
Since we lived in Northeastern, N.J., we could smell the smoke and see it.Worst of all, we could smell death.— Karen Bulloch The collapse of the World Trade Center's South Tower as seen from Exchange Place in Jersey City, N.J.Michael J.
Powell / Getty Images file9 a.m., Brooklyn, N.Y.: I ran into a friend at the corner coffee shop.She had just dropped off her child and was waiting for her husband to celebrate their anniversary.
He was an FDNY firefighter and was just getting off of his multi-day shift when the call came in.Instead of enjoying his anniversary, Dave Fontana stayed with his brothers.
He was a beautiful soul, a wonderful husband and father.I only got to know him briefly at the Music Together program we brought our children to.— Scott Groom 9 a.m., Ashtabula, Ohio: Everyone I was around, we couldn’t stop hugging each other and trying to help those of us who were taking that day harder than others.— Trent Reinke9 a.m., Yulee, Fla.: I was an Outward Bound instructor, getting ready to go on a 30 day canoeing expedition with “troubled” teens.
We were getting life jackets and paddles ready for the students to arrive when a staff member came down to the gear locker and told us that someone had just flown a plane into...