story6821.xml

story6821.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I was sitting at the UFO meeting (like the PTA) at my son's school, the University School, in Davie, FL. It was the first meeting of the year. I had just dropped off my daughter at her first day of Preschool at the Family Center. I was with my friend, Colleen, when her Mother called on her cell phone, telling her that a plane had crashed into the WTC. We weren't sure what to think. Unfortunate accident? Then my husband called with the same story & the 2nd plane. Do we stay at the meeting? I went upstairs where I Knew there was a tv. The kid working at the snack bar wasn't even aware what was happening, as he had the sound off. It was true, & the pictures were horrific! I first called my friend, Lori, in NYC to find out if she was okay. She was fine, but her husband was supposed to pitch for the Mets that night & had been evacuated from the Laguardia airport. Now she had no idea where he was & couldn't reach him by cell. I just begged her not to let him get on a plane. She had to go get her daughter, as it was her 1st day of school. My next call was to my brother-in-law in San Fran. He was with the FBI. He should know what was going on. I woke him up. He had no idea what had happened. He hadn't been called in yet. Ironically, he had been asking for a transfer to FL & had just been denied the previous day. I went back dowstairs to tell Colleen about the pictures I had seen. Cell phones were ringing all around the room. We were asked to turn them off. The Powers That Be didn't know what was going on. Then the Pentagon - I felt it was time to leave the meeting.

I got in my car & immediately tuned to Howard Stern. He was informing us exactly what was happening as he was watching it from his windows. It seemed more real than watching it on tv. I can vividly remember when he interrupted a caller to shout out that the Tower had just fallen, & Robin let out a shriek. I called my husband, & he thought Howard was joking, trying to make light of things. But that was the best part about his show. He was honest with us & stayed on the air for hours & hours just keeping us informed. THANKS HOWARD!