Readers Reflect: Where Were You On Sept. 11?

For most Americans—at least those of us old enough to remember—Sept. 11, 2001 seems like it was just yesterday. But, in fact, it's been a decade.

From the war on terror and the thousands of brave servicemen and women who have given their lives to keep America safe, to a shifting political landscape, the events of that day have forever changed our country.

Where you were on Sept. 11, 2001 has become a memory seemingly etched in stone in millions of Americans lives.

Here's how residents remembered the day:

: "I was on my way to work in North Riverside and was stopped at a light on First Ave. I don't know why I called my girlfriend at 8:45am, I never call my friends in the morning, but that day I called Lisa. She answered and was quite upset. She told me she couldn't talk; she had watched the news and heard about the plane crashing into the tower. She was trying to contact her brother who works in one of the towers. I turned on the news radio and that's when I heard what was happening. I called my husband and he was watching the news. We were talking and then he told me that another plane hit the other tower. I went to work but shortly thereafter, we were told to go home. By the way, Lisa's brother was able to get out of the South tower before it got hit."

: "I was working in my home office when my sister called that fateful day.. It was awful. It was scary. It was a HUGE wake up call for our nation.

"On this day....as I remember everything that affected me on THAT day, I give thanks. Thanks to our country for the way it reacted to what happened, and to all that play an active role in continuing to keep us safe from additional terrorism. I honor the memory of those that lost their lives and to those that continue to be connected to the cause of keeping these memories (and our freedoms) alive. I am humbled by the knowledge that I live in the best country on this planet and despite things not being perfect, there is no other place I'd rather be raising my children. And although this event in our history has taught us to sleep with one eye open forever, it has also made us mindful of our blessings and why it's so important that we never ever turn our back in arrogance again."

: "I was on maternity leave. I was at home with my 6 week old son and woke up, turned on the t.v. and the rest is history. I remember, because since I was at home with no one to talk to, thinking of my co-workers, friends and family. Very eerie day. My son will always be my reminder since he's 10."

Tracy Sakalis: "I was shopping at Walmart, all of a sudden the whole store went silent! No beeping of the scanners, no cutomers shopping, nothing! Walmart had put news footage after the first plane hit the towers, there was a lot of people who started crying and left their carts full, to rush home to their loved ones! On that day, it hit me as it did most AMERICANS!!!"

Traci Stoehrmann Baumgartner: "I was teaching second grade and the kids were about to come in. We were all terrified but had to act brave for the kids. I remember one girl asking me if her daddy was going to die because he worked at Sears tower....unbelievable day."

Tom Whitcomb Jr.: "I was at work watching footage of the first plane,then the second plane hit.It became obvious this was no accident."

Angel Titi Rodriguez Infante: "I was in Chicago, just finishing up my morning. It didn't dawn (the situation) on me until the second plane hit. We started to hear rumors about an airplane heading to the Sears Tower, when Flight 93 crashed into the field. Standing in the street, on Randolph & Aberdeen (West Loop), you can't help but to sense the enormity of the buildings in front of you. Thankfully, those rumors were not realized. This day will forever be engraved in my mind. Especially the blue skies & the fact that not a single plane was in the sky. God Bless Us All."

Have your own reaction?

Leave a comment below with your memory of the day.

Where were you at when you first heard? What was your initial reaction? How did you tell your kids? How did you ask your parents what it meant?