“It did not seem possible that something of this magnitude could happen in our country,” Donna Halcott says.“It was a massive wake up, call, and an end to naïveté.”
On September 11, 2001 at 8:41 am, horror struck on New York City. What seemed like any beautiful sunny day, turned into one of the biggest terrorist attacks in American History. Halcott, like many others, was out running her typical errands during the time the North tower was struck.
“I went inside the gas station to pay the attendant, I smiled and said ‘Good morning. How are you?’ and he just gave me a wide eyed stare. And almost yelling, he said to me, ‘Don’t you know what happened?’ and I said, ‘No I don’t know.’ and he said, ‘Well get out of here and go turn on your radio and listen to the news,’” says Halcott.
This horrifying news broke to thousands of people in thousands of different ways. No one thinks the unimaginable will happen to them until it does.
Halcott says, “Prior to September 11, 2001, I felt that terrorism was something that happened worlds away. It was something that you’d hear on the news and shake your head but move on without really being touched by it. The attacks changed my perspective on that immediately.” Many people’s perspectives on life were forever changed.
Not only were people working in New York City horrified they would be next, but many people working for Government Facilities were also wondering if what happened that morning could happen to them. At the time, Halcott had worked for Sikorsky, a government facility in Connecticut. Most people working in places like Sikorsky on the East Coast left work, afraid they could be attacked at any moment.
“One of my most vivid memories is being sick to my stomach, watching these events unfold, watching the news stations in a play, the videos on repeat, dust covered survivors, running in the streets and people, jumping from the building,” Halcott says.
The news of the Twin Towers being under attack spread rapidly. America’s response was immediately and collectively pure fear and confusion.
Halcott says, “Prior to September 11, I was not a fearful person. And I wasn’t typically prejudiced. I was fearful for the next year or so working at Sikorsky.” Many people were scared to go back to work, and some even hesitant to leave their homes. 9/11 left thousands of people traumatized.
As sad and hard as it can be to look back at, it is very important that 9/11 is recognized and remembered. So many people risked their lives trying to save others. Many people are and should be respected for their actions of heroism on that day.. The firefighters, officers, workers, and people of America that presented themselves with acts of selflessness and community service deserve recognition.
“9/11 was a sorrowful day that will never be forgotten and will hopefully never be repeated.”
