9/11 memories

By Chris Galligan: Like many, I remember 9/11 well.

I was in Phoenix for a work conference and received a call from my daughter that morning, wanting to know if I had the TV on and suggesting I turn it on. We sat together stunned -- she in Cedar Rapids and me in Phoenix -- watching TV when the second plane hit the tower.

I eventually left my room to attend my conference. Word of the events rapidly spread throughout the room. Many of the conference attendees were from the East Coast area, and others knew people who worked in the towers or the surrounding area.

While we were all horrified, those with direct connections were the most affected. They wanted to know about their friends and also wanted to get back to their families, a common feeling for most of us . Some of the group left immediately in rental cars for the long trek home to the East Coast.

Another conference attendee from Cedar Rapids and I decided to stay at the conference since we were there and also because we didn't know how long the flying ban would be in effect. Thankfully, she and her husband had a rental car (if you didn't have one by then, you were out of luck) so we were able to drive home when it became apparent the ban wouldn't be lifted soon.

They were anxious to get home to their four children, and I just felt a strong need to be home in the comfort of my own surroundings. The interstates were full of many other rental cars with people also heading home from various western locations.