One scary day

By Matt Schiess: I was in the middle of basic training for the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Okla., on that day.

My squad was picked to perform a weapons demonstration for the new recruits who had just started their training three days earlier. We had three demonstrations to do that day, and we had just finished our first.

We were taking a bit of a break when one of our drill sergeants came over to our truck. I remember him looking very confused. He told us something bad had happened and that the base was on total lockdown. We had to go back to our barracks for a briefing by the post commander.

All of us trainees were worried about going to war. The majority of us were Guardsmen and had no idea what to expect. After our briefing, we got to get in line to call home. While in line, I found out my buddy who slept two bunks down from me was worried about his parents -- both of whom worked at the World Trade Center.

The whole day was a blur of worry and fear. I was worried about my buddies around me and a bit afraid that I, a 19-year-old kid who knew nothing about terrorists, was going to have to go find these people.

It truly was one scary day.