Remembering September 11 in Tarpon Springs

Like today, it was a Tuesday morning. And like any other weekday, American citizens prepped for work while their kids scribbled down last-minute answers to their math homework. Before most people could enjoy a second cup of coffee at the office, shock consumed a nation.

For many, the footage was captured in real time, face to face; for others, TV screens were all they had. Moments after news outlets had live streaming feeds of the North Tower of the World Trade Center being swallowed by smoke and flames, a second plane soared across the screen and into the South Tower.

Most of us can feel the hairs stand up on our bodies when we talk, or even think, about Sept. 11, 2001. The memories are remarkably vivid and the emotions are always fresh.

Today marks 11 years since the terrorist attacks. As we remember one of the most tragic days of our time, folks in Tarpon Springs share their stories about where they were, what they felt and how they are still affected today.

• “I was at home and I was watching it on TV. It was just surreal and I remember watching the second plane hit and saying, ‘Woah, this wasn’t an accident.’ We were supposed to fly out the day after and everything was cancelled. It was very disturbing. Still, when you watch the footage and you see all those people, it’s just unbelievable.”

-Boe Rushing, 44
Owner and operator of Back in the Day Books

• “I was Fire Marshal at the time. I heard about it on the radio, so we turned the TV on and watched the second one hit. We actually went and set up our emergency operation center because we had no idea what was going to happen. We knew that something was going on and everybody had that bad feeling. It was like getting kicked in the gut.”

-Richard Butcher, 53
Fire Chief of Tarpon Springs Fire and Rescue

• “I was in English class in high school and one of my friends came in the room screaming, “Oh my God, we are being attacked!’ He was sort of joking at the time, but come to find out it wasn’t a joke and we were being attacked. I wasn’t that scared. I just thought it was strange and that something was not right.”

-Devin Derwort, 27
Local book author

Now that I’m a proud Tarpon Springs resident, I can share my story with you as well. I was in high school, a sophomore to be exact. I had just arrived in first period when another student came in yelling at us to turn on a TV because “someone blew up the twin towers.” From there, it was just a rollercoaster of confusion. Classmates were pulled from school because they had lost loved ones and each period was chock full of coverage from different news stations.

Every year on Sept. 11, I try to attend a memorial ceremony, if there is one happening locally. My dad is a fire chief, so I believe that it is important to remember this day and honor the individuals we lost.

Readers, please share your recollections and thoughts in the comments section below.