• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

Every day on Live at 3:00, we’ll have a segment called Sound Off, where you can give us your take on a topic. Thursday’s Sound Off question: “Where were you on 9/11 and how have the attacks changed your life?” Email us at soundoff@todaystmj4.com. You can also call us at (414) 967-5304. We may share your responses on Live at 3:00 and on our Web site. Here are some of your responses: Click on the video link to see more responses. Amy says: “I was at home on that morning preparing to celebrate my birthday. Sept 11th is my birthday, it has become a day I dread rather than a day I celebrate. Enough is enough, all the remembering in the world can’t bring people back. I am an uncounted living victim. Physically untouched by the events of that day, but tortured year after year by the over-zealous need to display this for weeks on end.” Kaylee says: “I was at home when the attacked happened. I was about to go to school. It impacted me by having more respect for all the people in the army and stuff, especially my cousin.” Ramona says: “I live in Kenosha, WI and at the time of the attack I was renewing my license, so on my license it says 9/11/01. This event changed my life by just watching how people act in situations. I worked for a government building for five years and it just makes you more aware of your surroundings.” Merari says: “I was in High School in my business class when my teacher runs in the room and says ‘Were getting attacked.’ He suddenly turns on the TV and we see the second plane hit one of the towers. We watched the entire thing on the news the reporter running away from all the debris, people falling from the building. Till this day just speaking about it gives me chills. It was a moment I will never forget. It made me realize that tomorrow is not promised and we must live life to the fullest and love and cherish those that God has placed in our lives.” Cathy says: “On 9/11 I was teaching my 5th grade class here in Milwaukee. I remember going down to the library (only TV that we could watch the news on). We had a teacher whose brother worked at the Trade Center. (He had not gone in that day, we later found out. Also had students who had family working and living in NY. It was a day that robbed the students of their childhood. Never again will we live without fear concerning a terrorist attack. We need to always remember those brave firemen and police, as well as all the civilians who lost their life that awful day.” Elizabeth says: “I saw the World Trade Center crash live on the Today Show. The closeness of the plane to the towers was being covered when the crash took place. It was very bizarre. It almost seemed like it was fake because of how shocking it was. I am sure no one knew what to say or what to think at that time. Along with most people, I was weary of flying for a considerable amount of time. It was eye opening to realize how close to home terrorism could be and that the US wasn’t exempt from it.” Jacqueline says: “On September 11, 2001, instead of working in the community as a peace education specialist who empower peoples people of all ages to value, imagine, and work to create a culture of peace for all the children of the world, I was in bed, recovering from two surgeries the previous week. My husband, a college professor at Cardinal Stritch University, called me shortly after 9 AM to tell me what was happening in New York City, and I immediately went to the family room to watch events unfolding in New York, and then in Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. I felt sad for the people who died in these attacks, for their families and friends, and for all of us. I thought that I should go out into the community and do what I do best, continue to educate people about the best ways to promote, protect, and sustain a culture of peace. I knew that I could not do that, given my current medical condition. Instead, I spent much of the day in prayer, praying for those who died, for those who lost loved ones, for those who survived, for the peoples of our country and the world, and even for those who planned and carried out these horrific attacks. I also began, as soon as possible, to call or write -- to family and friends telling them that I loved them, and to people who influence public policy to seek peaceful means of responding to these attacks. As soon as my doctors authorized it, I again moved out into the community, teaching, empowering, and working with others for peace and justice for all people in our world.” Natalie says: “Seven years ago I was working at an elementary school, my start time was 8am. I sat in my car till last min. possible as The Mix was just breaking the news. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. A plane had crashed into the World Trade Center? It wasn't making any sense and clearly had to have been an accident. I went into school, and everything seemed normal. Our principal said there was a TV set up in the lounge and advised us not to tell the students. Throughout the day he kept reminding us not to say anything and to let their parents explain what was taking place. This worked well all morning but the afternoon kindergarteners came in wanting to share their version of events. It was heartbreaking. Throughout the day I started to get nervous and scared, I didn't know what else was to come. I called my parents, my brother, and other loved ones and attended a church service that evening in Whitewater. We all prayed for our country.” Mike says: “It started as any other day did for many. I reported for duty at the City of Burlington Fire Department early that morning for work. At about 8:30, I left the station to visit a construction site. As I was passing the Police station, the news came on the radio. I pulled over to park and went inside to the dispatcher’s desk and found everyone gathered around the TV watching the news unfold. In what is often a very busy and noisy atmosphere, that morning you could hear a pin drop. It is imprinted in my memory forever!” Gail says: “I remember watching TV with my young boys before they went to school. It was a normal day. One of the local TV stations came on saying there was an incident in NY concerning a plane into the Twin Towers, so I turned to the one of the national shows. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was watching their feed when the second plane came in and they, like the rest of us, were horrified. Before the second plane came in, there was talk of a disaster, but now it was about terrorism. I watched the whole day. I remember feeling helpless and shocked when the first tower went down. It was totally incomprehensible that a huge building like that could crumble like a house of cards. I thought of all the firemen and emergency workers in that building, and all the people still trying to get out. When the second came down, I just wept. Even today I am nervous about flying, and generally visiting "tourist" areas that could be considered targets for terrorist attacks.”