9th grade theology class. We could see the smoke. School was right on a highway and there were hundreds of firetrucks responding. Spent the rest of the day in the school counselor's office because they wouldn't let us have the TVs on the classroom and I knew my uncle would be on the scene. Pretty sure half the school didn't even know what was going on until lunch time. Alternated between being glued to the TV and frantically dialing my parents house wanting to go home.
Finally made it home that afternoon, walked into the house, neither one of my parents were home. My mothers friend was there, but wouldn't tell us anything. Tried to make me go do my hw like nothing was wrong in the world. Found out my grandfather had died that morning (unrelated). No one had heard from my uncle.
My uncle was FDNY. he made it the 12th floor of the south tower, and was still heading up. Didn't hear anything else until October 20th, when they found his helmet in the rubble. There were 18 men from his department with him.
Thanks for the thoughts all. Finally home and done with class. Had a bovine palpation lab today that was pretty rough. Shoulder deep in a cow, someone asks me how I'm doing today, not even knowing what was going on. . tears ensue and of course my free hand was covered in ****. At least that situation made me smile eventually - could only happen in vet med. Got myself some chocolate cream pie and a starbucks latte, so hopefully I'll manage to focus on studying for tomorrows exam
And as a happy thought: both my Uncle's kids now work in law enforcement, one a probation officre and the other a cop, both in NY. The probation officer is married to a police officer as well