The Gabs: Where Were You On Sept 11, 2001?

Chris Keane, St. Petersburg: “It was second period printing class at Dixie Hollins High School. I remember the people coming over the intercom telling you to turn on the TV. We turned it on just in time to see the second plane hit. It was definitely a shocking experience, definitely something I can’t forget.”

Harold Russell, Gulfport: “On 9/11, I was home asleep with my then-one-year-old twins. Then their mom came and woke me up and said ‘You better come out and take a look at this; this is something serious going on.’ And, that’s the first thing I remember about 9/11.”

Cissy Portlier, Gulfport: “I was living in Orlando and I was a volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels. I remember hearing the news as I was on my way to my first customer – I should really say friend. They were all elderly people, all of them; they were just so scared. All they had to do was sit there and watch their TVs and they were so happy that someone was there to talk to them, just for a minute, just to make them feel better. I will never ever forget that day.”

Tracy Rich, St. Petersburg: “9/11 is very near and dear to my heart. I was working at Stetson that morning. At that time I was married and my husband’s father, who was in service, was at the Pentagon building. We’re there at work; we hear a plane hit the Twin Towers and right away, I think: ‘I have an aunt in New York City and right there in Manhattan.’ Immediately we called and checked on friends and family members right there to experience what’s going on there – and in Washington as well. It’s devastating.”