Where Were You That September Morning?
September 11, 2021
We publish this piece on an annual basis, and we encourage you to comment below, answering the question ‘Where Were You That September Morning?
September 11, 2001. It’s been 20 years.
Life, at least when that morning began, seemed good. I’ve always been a work at home dad, so I was home with my two girls. The youngest was almost four months old, and the oldest was approaching her fourth birthday. It was a normal morning. The little one was asleep, “fat and happy” as we used to say, after a morning bottle. The oldest was in the living room just a few feet from my office watching PBS Kids on the TV as I worked on a project for a client.
Then this arrived in my inbox:
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 08:52am– World trade center damaged; unconfirmed reports say a plane has
crashed into tower. Details to come.
I got up, walked to the living room and flipped the TV to CNN. They were talking about how a pilot could make such an error, hitting such a large building. They were speculating that it was just a small plane. But then as the TV news helicopters zoomed their cameras in closer, the anchors were beginning to notice what I had already thought….those holes the tower were to big to have been a small plane.
(continues below photo)
I called my wife at work in Atmore. She had seen the breaking news email, and had tried to visit the CNN website to see the story. If you remember trying to use the internet that morning, it was near impossible to get a news website to load; they were all overloaded. She was unable to see the pictures. I was describing what I saw on the TV to her.
I managed to grab a picture from CNN via my web server and then download and email it to her. We were speculating about how it could happen when the second one hit.
I remember saying “wait, hold on, wait…”. I told her what I just watched on the TV. The second plane had hit the other tower. We quickly decided that we were at war as the anchors on TV speculated again that perhaps there was a problem with some navigational system, causing jetliners on a beautiful, clear morning in New York to fly into some of the tallest structures in the world.
Another breaking news email arrived:
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:21am– Second plane crashes into World Trade Center.
She and I began to speculate ourselves that we were at war. What would we do? What should we do? What about the kids? It was not panic, understand, but just that protective momma and daddy instinct, I suppose. Prayer. That was a good idea. Maybe go to the bank and get out a little cash. That seemed like a good idea. How would you prep for a war on American soil? We were not sure.
I continued to relay information about what I was seeing on TV to my wife at work, who, in turn, would relay the information to her coworkers. They had a TV, but no cable service or antenna. They ended up fashioning a homemade antenna to see a fuzzy picture.
Meanwhile, the breaking news emails kept arriving…
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:32am– Sources tell CNN one of two planes that crashed into World Trade
Center was an American Airlines 767.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:42am– President Bush calls plane crashes at World Trade Center a
terrorist act.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:45am– Significant fire at the Pentagon. Details to come.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:46am– White House evactuated. Details to come.
The Pentagon on fire? The White House evacuated? Notice that in CNN’s email they were in such a hurry that they misspelled “evacuated”. One sentence at a time, the situation became more grave.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:55am– CNN confirms a plane hit the Pentagon
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 10:03am– One of World Trade Center towers collapses; fire forces
evacuation of State Department
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 10:30am– Second World Trade Center tower collapses in Manhattan
Over and over, we watched those towers collapse on TV, and we watched our Pentagon burn.
Our almost four year old asked a lot of questions. “Were people hurt? Did they need a Band-aid?” The magnitude of the event was lost on a four year old. Looking back at those first few hours, I think the magnitude of the event was lost on all of us.
Like many Americans, I sat glued to the TV that day, continuing to watch the video of the towers falling. Our almost four year old asked if another building fell down or if it was the same one. It was time to change the channel on the TV.
You might remember that many of the entertainment TV stations ran network news feeds. Others just simply ran screens about the day’s events. There was no USA network, no ESPN, no MTV. But on PBS, we found children’s programming at a time it was not normally on. For a little while, sitting in the living room floor holding my kids, the world stopped turning that September day, as we watched Big Bird and the Cookie Monster.
Country artist Alan Jackson later wrote a song “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?”.
Some of those lyrics:
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 cryDid 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 belowBut 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 where you when the world stopped turning that September day? Your comments are welcome below.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany (Reynolds) Landis, click to enlarge.
West Florida Blanks Tate 44-0 (With Photo Gallery)
September 11, 2021
The visiting West Florida Jaguars blanked the Tate Aggies 44-0 Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The game was scoreless until just over six minutes to go in the first quarter with the first of many West Florida touchdowns. And the Jaguars never looked back.
By halftime, it was 33-0.
The Aggies turned the ball over a half dozen times — a couple of fumbles, a couple of interceptions and a couple of bungled kickoffs.
The Tate Aggies will hit the road next Friday night to take on Navarre, while the West Florida Jags will host Arnold.
For a photo gallery, click here. Look for a student life, cheerleader and band photo gallery to be published by Monday on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
NAS Pensacola Hosts Silent Walk In Remembrance of 9/11
September 11, 2021
NAS Pensacola hosted silent walk Friday morning in remembrance of September 11, 2001.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
6A Gulf Breeze Tops 1A Northview 50-33 (With Photo Gallery)
September 11, 2021
The visiting Northview Chiefs fell to the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 50-33 Friday night.
The 1A Chiefs took an early 3-0 lead over the 6A Dolphins, but the advantage did not last long. By halftime, Gulf Breeze was up 21-3.
Junior quarterback Kaden Odom connected with Jesse Hughes for a 50-yard touchdown. With a good two-point conversion, the score was 29-19. Odom later found junior Jamarkus Jefferson for a 54-yard touchdown to make it 43-26.
The Northview Chiefs (1-2) will host the Escambia Academy Cougars (4-0) next Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
Photos by Emma Gilmore for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
September 11, 2021
Here are Friday night’s North Escambia area high school football scores:
FLORIDA
- West Florida 44, Tate 0 [Story, photo gallery...]
- Gulf Breeze 50, Northview 33 [Story, photo gallery...]
- Pace 38, Pensacola 13
- Walton 55, Jay 17
- Cairo (GA) 21, Escambia 7
- Pensacola Catholic 29, St. Stanislaus (MS) 14
- Milton 18, Navarre 13
- Pine Forest (Bye week)
- Washington (Bye week)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 43, Wilcox Academy 0
- Flomaton 26, Cottage Hill 10
- Mobile Christian 29, W.S. Neal 14
- T.R. Miller 27, Chickasaw 16
- Escambia County (Atmore) (Bye week)
Pictured: West Florida High defeated Tate Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Honor First Responders Lost On 9/11
September 11, 2021
In honor of the first responders that lost their lives on 9/11 in New York City, all NJROTC classes at Northview High School did 110 squats, 110 pushups, 110 curl-ups and 110 jumping jacks in two-person teams Friday. Leaders said it was a time for the cadets to reflect, learn about dedication to duty and have a good workout.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Falls 4-2 To Shuckers
September 11, 2021
In the top of the first inning, Peyton Burdick set another Wahoos record with his 75th walk of the season, surpassing Jesse Winker’s 74 walks in 2015.
Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the record came in another defeat as the Shuckers won their fourth in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Wahoos Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Will Stewart (L, 5-8) turned in a quality start despite taking the loss. He allowed four runs (only three earned) in six innings. For the fourth straight game, the Shuckers took the lead first, this time with a solo home run from Korry Howell in the top of the top of the fourth. Biloxi then added two more runs in the fifth before an error allowed another run to score in the sixth.
Pensacola got on the board in the sixth inning. Kameron Misner led off the inning with a single. After a walk and a fielder’s choice, Chris Chinea singled home Misner to make it 4-1. Griffin Conine followed with an RBI single, which cut the deficit down to 4-2. After an infield single, the rally came to an end after Santiago Chavez hit into an inning ending double play.
Pensacola looked like they had another rally brewing in the seventh when the Wahoos had runners on first and third with only one out. The rally came to an end when Burdick struck out and interfered with catcher Brent Diaz on his throw to second base as Misner attempted to steal, thus ending the inning. Pensacola hit into two double plays in addition to the interference.
With the fourth straight loss, coupled with Birmingham’s fourth straight win, Pensacola is 3.5 games out of the second playoff spot. Friday’s defeat sealed Pensacola’s first series loss this season against Biloxi. The penultimate home game of the 2021 season is Saturday, beginning at 6:05 PM CT. RHP Jeff Lindgren (5-8, 4.09) will get the start for Pensacola.
Escambia County Reports 1,724 New COVID-19 Cases
September 11, 2021
There were 1,724 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 306 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 50,153 (+1,724)
Positivity rate last week: 20.3%
Current total hospitalizations: 306
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 296
Under age 18 hospitalized: 10
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 144,822
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 51.9%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 42.8%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 29,798 (+1,437)
Positivity rate last week: 14.2%
People vaccinated: 84,484
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 53%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,409,165 (+100,012)
Case positivity rate: 13.5%
Deaths: 48,772 (+353)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided.
Walnut Hill Man Charged After Allegedly Fleeing Domestic Disturbance, Crashing Vehicle
September 10, 2021
A Walnut Hill man was allegedly involved in a domestic disturbance before fleeing the scene and crashing his vehicle a short distance away Thursday night.
Brad William Shaw, 45, was charged with multiple counts of battery by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The Florida Highway Patrol also charged him with DUI along with hit and run involving property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail early Friday afternoon without bond.
Shaw was involved in domestic violence incident in the 8000 block of South Highway 99 near Highway 97A, according to ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard.
He fled, traveling south on South Highway 99.
“A short time later, we were notified of a crash involving a vehicle that matched the suspect’s vehicle,” Southard said.
Shaw reportedly failed to negotiate a curve, collided with several signs marking the curve, and continued before crashing his vehicle. He reportedly fled the scene, but later walked back out of the wooded area.
Further details have not been released.
Suspect Shot By Deputy On Pensacola Beach
September 10, 2021
A grand theft suspect was shot by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy early Friday morning on Pensacola Beach.
About 4:37 a.m., deputies made made contact with 25-year old Ryan Nathaniel Bass, who was on foot in the 16-block of Via De Luna Drive. When deputies made contact with Bass, he pulled what Sheriff Chip Simmons described as “about a 10-inch knife ” out of his backpack.
“He left the sidewalk area to approach them (deputies), they were still in the roadway, on their four-wheeler. Again refusing commands, he approached them, got close enough where they felt like their life was in danger, and they fired at him, striking him in the hand,” Simmons continued.
Bass was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No deputies were injured in the incident.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating, as is standard procedure in officer involved shootings.
Pictured: Ryan Nathaniel Bass as seen in a December 2020 mugshot.