The events of September 11, 2001, changed the world forever. For many, the memories remain deeply etched in their minds. From classrooms and offices to homes and hospitals, people across the globe recall where they were when they heard America was under attack.
These are some of the personal stories shared by Now Habersham readers.
Innocence disrupted: schoolchildren’s perspective
The terror attacks of 9/11 turned an ordinary Tuesday morning into one of fear and confusion. Gissy Chinita Duarte was in her kindergarten class, feeling “sooo scared and worried,” a sentiment echoed by Amber Payne, who was in 10th grade drama class when she heard the news.
Payne recalls the emotional turmoil experienced by her teacher, Mr. Keebler, whose parents lived close to the towers. Watching the second plane hit live on TV, Payne described how “he cried and tried to call his parents,” an agonizing wait that eventually brought relief when he learned they were safe.
Courtney Chambers was in 6th grade math, while Jarred Hudgins was in 8th grade, getting yearbook pictures taken when he returned to find his teacher glued to the television. In a similar scene, Ari Garcia, then in 5th grade, recalls watching the events unfold in homeroom, and later being released early because “99% of the school had parents being deployed” due to their proximity to a Navy base.
“The song, ‘Grown Men Don’t Cry,’ was on, and my dad broke down, cried, and said, ‘No, real men cry.’ Never will I forget,” says Garcia.
At work when the world stopped
For those at work, the day unfolded in different but equally harrowing ways. Holly Woods was working in a bank drive-thru when she heard about the terror attacks. Judy Palmer and Annette Hurt-Ramey were at their jobs, their usual routines shattered. Laurie Ryan was also at work at United Community Bank, and Becky Unbehant recalls being at Community Bank & Trust.
David King, working for the Athens Banner Herald at the time, immediately sprang into action. “We put out an extra edition that day in addition to our regular one and built an insert package for the Sunday paper,” he shared, emphasizing the media’s role in documenting the tragedy.
Sharon Kelly was in an elevator descending from a bank meeting when someone entered to deliver the horrifying news. “Everyone in the building when I got to the first floor was scrambling and in shock,” she says.
For those like Karen Holbrook Webb, the experience brought a deep sense of vulnerability. Webb was working at Fieldale when the news broke, and her team gathered around a coworker’s computer to watch in disbelief. “A very emotional, scary, and tragic day,” she recalls, adding, “I’m so afraid we are gonna start seeing more things like this in the coming months.”
Far from home, but deeply affected
Others, like Susan Lewis Ellis, were far from home during the attacks. Ellis was on vacation in Kauai when a coworker called with a chilling message: “Turn on your TV, the world is coming to an end!” Thousands of miles from home, Ellis felt the distance acutely, adding to the fear and helplessness.
Similarly, when she saw the news, Georgianna Stoica was in Madrid, Spain, about to board a plane to New York.
“The shock I was in and the moment that changed the world forever,” she expressed, highlighting how 9/11 reverberated around the globe.
Personal milestones intersecting with tragedy
For some, personal milestones coincided with the national tragedy. R.B. Brown was at the hospital, awaiting the birth of a granddaughter, Erica, while Lori Tucker Taylor had just begun her maternity leave after the birth of her son.
Taylor watched the events unfold live on TV, stunned by the scenes that played out.
“I was shocked and could not believe it.”
Never forget: a shared pain
The phrase “Never Forget” resonates deeply with Jack Lynn, whose simple social media comment reflects the collective promise to remember the lives lost and the impact felt.
Amber Payne, recalling her teacher’s tears and the terrifying hours of waiting, said she would “never forget” that day.
For many, like Angela Moss, the emotions came pouring out. “I started crying and praying,” Moss shared, recounting how she watched the news after coming home from work, feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the event.
Jami Noël was in high school when a teacher ran down the hall telling everyone to turn on their television.
“As we sat there in a scared silence, not really understanding the severity and what it meant, Brother Huggins, with tears in his eyes, began to pray,” she says. “I’ll never forget that day.”
A nation united in grief and resolve
People like Christopher Dobbs, who was a student at Demorest Elementary, or Teri Todd, who was working at North Habersham Middle School, all share in the common thread of disbelief, fear, and, ultimately, resilience.
Their memories are a collective testament to the enduring impact of September 11, 2001. Whether in classrooms or workplaces, at home or abroad, people’s lives were forever changed. The events of that day bind us together in a shared history. As we reflect on 9/11, may we honor the memories of those who we lost and recapture the strength that we found in each other.
Where were you on September 11, 2001? Share your story with us on Now Habersham’s Facebook page.
