CONTEST: Where were you that day in September?

Chris OConnor · Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:01 am

The 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 is only a week away and BookTalk.org is hosting a writing contest to commemorate that historic and tragic day.

Artie Van Why, author of That Day In September: A Personal Remembrance of 9/11, has offered to give away a few copies of his book to participants in this writing contest.

Topic:

Share your personal story of where you were when you learned of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon back on September 11, 2001. What were your thoughts? How did you react emotionally? Who did you call? How did those events impact your life as they happened and over the course of the past decade.

Rules:

There are no rules. Just speak from your heart. Artie Van Why will determine, at his sole discretion, who he wants to reward with a copy of his book.

The contest is starting on Sunday, September 4, 2011 and will end several days after 9/11. If enough people are enjoying this writing contest we'll leave it open longer.

Say as little or as much as you like. There are no word count rules.

Chris OConnor · Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:11 am

To get the ball rolling I'll share a post I made on September 11, 2007...

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and most significantly, our American homeland. They say that history repeats itself so it is wise to pay close attention to the lessons, both pleasant and painful, that historical events present to us. Tune them out and you slip into denial. How can you learn and grow from that which you deny?

Alan Jackson wrote one of the most beautiful songs about 9/11. He asks us to reflect on where we were that dreadful morning when the attacks began. I’ll share the song lyrics first and then a YouTube video so you can hear the song along with see some of the images of 9/11 that a great many people are trying to deny or forget. While it is unhealthy to dwell or focus too much on the horrific events of that morning, it is even more dangerous to block them out of your head as if they didn’t happen at all. History does indeed repeat itself for those that didn’t learn the first time around.

When the World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson (video below)

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watching
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

If you’ve never listened to this song it is well worth your time. It’s a wonderful song even without the powerful and emotional message, but when you really listen and think about the meaning behind the song it is hard not to get choked up.

rled1934 · Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:36 am

We were staying at our summer home in Branson Mo. and i was doing research for my first novel Antonio's Journey. The research involved doing a book loan through the Central Springfield Library and the California State Library in Sacramento Ca. I was to pick up a book concerning steamboat travel on the Sacramento River durring the Gold Rush of 1849. I was having my coffee and watching the news when the terrible tradgedy occured. I drove the thirty five miles north to the libray picked up my book and watched the horriblr scene unfold on a giant projection screen in the libraries special events room. Raymond L Ledesma

Chris OConnor · Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:56 pm

Thanks for sharing your story, Raymond.

(author) Katelyn · Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:21 am

I was very little, about 2, almost 3. I don't really remember it. But my aunt, Jessica, was in New York, I think. Or DC. I don't really remember that. She called and told Momma that the World Trade Center had been blown up or something like that. I didn't understand at the time. Now my heart goes out to the families. I wish I had been older, enough to remember. I pray for those families who lost someone they loved. I know this is probably the worst post you've seen but I had to write something, in honor of those who were lost in the crash and building. I just wish I remembered better. To all those who lost someone, I pray for you. I honor that person. I just wish I remembered...

Penelope · Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:27 pm

My husband was working away but his mother, my dear old mother-in-law was staying with me for a week's holiday, she was 95 years old at the time.

I loved her, but it was a bit of a nuisance because there was going to be nothing much to watch on TV that night. We discussed this and said, we'd have a couple of drams of whiskey....and maybe watch a video.....

Then, my son came down from his bedroom and said, 'Put the Television on, something awful's happened in New York'. We switched on when the first tower was hit and thought it was an aircraft accident....until the second tower was hit.....then our hearts sank to our feet at the dreadful realisation that this was no accident. This was man's inhumanity....

We watched in disbelief.....It did feel like watching a disaster film. I said, 'I am so glad you are here with me Mum, because I wouldn't like to be alone with this'.

And my dear old Mum-in-law, who had lived through two World Wars, and who knew something about love and loss, was a great comfort, just by her staunch and serene, though fragile presence.

In my head I heard the music from Handel's Messiah. Comfort ye, Comfort ye my people.

Dexter · Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:06 pm

I'm not entering the contest, but I was only about 3 blocks away, working downtown. I got out of the subway after the first one hit, no one around knew what was going on, I couldn't see the WTC from there. Then we heard and felt the second one hit -- it sounded like someone bombed the Stock Exchange down the block. We stayed in the office while the buildings fell -- felt like an earthquake and it was pitch black outside until it cleared. Walked over the Brooklyn Bridge to get home. You don't forget a day like that.

Chris OConnor · Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:32 pm

Thanks go out to all that shared their stories.

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