Montanans Recall Where They Were When They Found Out About the 9-11 Attacks

As we remember the events of September 11, 2001 and the people still affected one dozen years later, I am thinking about how I learned of the tragic attacks.

Twelve years later, I am still struck with immense sadness for the innocent people affected by the tragic events on 9-11, and the military families who were also affected following this terrible day. At the time, my family always had our radios in every room of the house turned to The Blaze. I was sleeping that morning because I didn't have to do my show until 3 p.m., and was awakened by the sound of news. At first I was angry that news was on my music station. But as I became aware, my heart shattered for New York, D.C., Pennsylvania and America. Where were you that morning?

I was actually on my way to work at the Stimson plant. I had watched the news feed all day, and tuned in The Blaze as I left the apartment. I had a bad feeling about the situation on a global level, and the first song that came on was Tool's "Aenima". As the lyrics "learn to swim" kept coming, I thought for sure it was a sign that the world was completely f***ed. That thought hasn't left my mind since. -Missoula man

 

I woke up and put on Howard Stern on KUFO in Portland at the time and they were frantic. It wasn't his normal garbage. Talking about a bombing and didn't know what was going on. I went to the TV and turned it on just in time to watch the first building fall it was awful. I'll never forget it and never stop thinking about all the lives that were affected that day. -Missoulian who lives in Portland, Oregon

 

I was a 6th grader at Charlo Middle School in Charlo, Montana I remember that we had to sit in class all day and watch the news. I had to ask what was a trade center?? But I also remember I came home from school and my mom had The Blaze blaring to "My Hero" by Foo Fighters. -Missoula woman

 

I was in high school watching the scariest and saddest thing I have ever seen in my life. The image of those people above the impact location breaking and jumping out of windows to their deaths has never left my mind. When someone gets on the subject that is the first thing I think of. -Missoula man

 

I had just sent my little ones across the street to Russell Elementary, came inside turned on the TV, and wasn't sure exactly what I was looking at. Then the news said a plane had just hit the tower. I still was confused until I watched the second one hit it. I freaked called the school and the secretary asked me to let them stay it was safer for them there. the rest of the day was a big blur. -Missoula woman

 

My son was 2 weeks old and was up all night, I finally got to sleep and 20 minutes later his dad woke me up to watch.... I thought it was a movie and I was pissed, then he told me it was real and I fell apart. I couldn't grasp the idea that my baby had just come into this world and that's the kind of s*** he has to face. It's sad and painful and all of the people that were affected have all of the support I can possibly give. -Missoula woman

 

I was in high school and watched the whole thing happen on TV and every class the rest of the day was watching the news. I remember going outside for gym and looking up and not seeing a plane in sight and that's when it really sank in. Then after school I was listening to The Blaze and you played Pantera's "Cowboys from Hell" and thought it was the perfect song cause we were set for revenge. -Missoula man

 

I was a food sales rep at the time and was busy getting my son to day care he was only 4. The TV at the day care had a Disney movie running. So I didn't know until I walked in the back door of my first restaurant client and everyone was crying and watching the little TV. We all stood huddled and watched the second tower come down. Seeing no planes in the sky that day was surreal and it was a beautiful day in Montana, clear blue skies with no planes. My Grandpa who served his country for 3 wars cried that day...I had never seen him cry. -Missoula woman

 

I worked at Jore in Ronan. I worked at a machine that made drill bits. As always I had my giant mug of coffee and my radio on my ears. It was a couple hours into work and I heard a plane just hit the World Trade Center. I'm like what? What? I shut my machine down and stood up and looked around. No one knew anything. Everyone was working and being normal. Having to stay on my machine I started it up again and listened and watched as people were finally finding out. At break everyone was freaking and ready to fight back. I was worried about my kids and was really sad. I had just lost my mom and wanted her. -Missoula woman

 

I got ready for work and decided to check something on the internet. I logged off (I had dial up with AOL), remembered something I forgot to check and logged on again. The picture of the WTC towers were front and center when they hadn't been there the first time and only one tower had been hit. I went to work and everyone was standing around a little TV with rabbit ears and bad reception. All we did that day was watch that little TV. RIP. -Missoula woman

 

I was in a parking lot in Everett, Washington. I was headed  to check on my boys because I had received a voice mail over the weekend that my ex husband's house had caught on fire. So Watkins & Shepard, who I was long haul (OTR) driving for at the time gave me the OK to pass on my load and haul ass west in my friends pickup. At the time I had no idea what they where talking about on the radio, then I saw it on the TV after I had seen my babies and knew they where fine. I cried and cried for all those lost souls! After getting back to Missoula and back in my Watkins truck, every trailer I had I wrote in the dirt on the doors "WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER 9.11.11! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!" , and there where always those window flags flying from my mirrors! -Missoula trucker

 

I was on my way to the Mental Health. Will be in NYC in a few weeks.- Great Falls nurse

 

Speech class at UM. Every class that day was spent watching the news. -Missoula woman

 

I woke up just after the 1st plane hit & put on the TV from bed. I remember it was on ABC & they were showing the video of the plane hitting. I wasn't fully awake & thought I was watching a movie trailer. Then Peter Jennings came on & my blood ran cold. My dad was supposed to be working in one of the towers that morning so I called my boss and told her I couldn't go into work until I got the phone call about my dad. He missed being in the towers by minutes. It was a harrowing experience that he will never forget & certainly changed him. I saw what it did to him. I got the call that he was OK in time for me to get I work on time. I spent my air shift as a board-op, simulcasting our sister AM station. The morning guy stayed on air all day. I played commercials whenever he needed a breather. -Blake, formerly of The Blaze and New York native

 

Where were you that morning?