Ten Years Later: SSI Employees Reflect On September 11, 2001
It isn't easy to sit down every day and figure out what to write. I don't know if you're like me, but it's a process trying to figure out the best way to approach 
each topic. Usually with this blog, we talk about the material handling industry, community happenings, new employees... things like that. But this is so different. In spite of the 10 years that are between now and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to write about that day still feels eerie, uncomfortable somehow. It's like walking through a quiet church and trying to step ever-so-delicately so the wood doesn't creak beneath your shoes, but it does anyway.
I decided to ask some Storage Solutions employees to help me write this one. To share some of their memories from that day, how they felt, and how they feel 10 years later. So here you go...
Reflections on 9/11/2001:
TIM FONDEROLI: "I started working for Storage Solutions on the 1st of September, 1991... it was my ten year anniversary with the company. I had retired from the Navy and came to work for SSI. I remember the day vividly because I had friends that were in the Pentagon that day. I was trying to get ahold of them and make sure they were okay. They were, thank god. But we were all in the conference room watching it on TV--watching it unfold. At first we heard about the plane crash, and then we saw the second plane crash. Everybody was totally out of it. I left early that day to try and reach some of my friends. I remember going home and being beside myself. I went and took the flag I was given after my Navy retirement and hung it outside my garage and just prayed."
KELLY HARGIS: "The reality of that day and what our country experienced by terrorists is still scary. If it is scary for us, I can only imagine how it changed the lives or those who had loved ones in the towers, of those who lost someone that day. How we came together and sought justice makes me proud to be an American. And it helps me put into perspective that I have a truly blessed life."
MIKE SHEPPARD: "I was in a college auditorium. The class was "American History from 1865 to present day," and we were learning about the Oklahoma City Bombing. The professor had just remarked that it was the largest terrorist attack on American soil, ever. Minutes after that, a girl that I always sat by came in late. She told me she was sorry she was late but she was glued to the TV because a place just crashed into the World Trade Center.... I can't remember if I left right away or if I stayed the whole class, but it's eerie thinking about the coincidence now. The feelings of hurt from that day have faded, but whenever I think about it, or I see an old movie with the towers still standing, it is the deepest feeling of sadness I have ever experienced."
JILL WILLIAMS: "I still have tremendous pride for this country and its people. I love that despite our differences, at a moment's notice, the people of this country will still stand shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy."
BLAIR YODER: "I was sitting in my 8thgrade social studies teachers’ classroom finishing up ISTEP testing. After finishing a certain portion of the test another teacher came into our room and whispered something to my teacher. We turned on the TV and watched as everything unfolded. I’ll never forget the feeling. It was so surreal. No one really knew how to react or really understood what was happening. At the age of 14, I never even imagined something like that could happen. It’s incredible to think that it’s been 10 years since it happened. Feels like it was yesterday."
MICHELLE COLEMAN: "It wasn't until the other day I realized it had been 10 years. I remember driving to the north side and listening to it unfold on the radio. I'm not sure anything got done at work that day. With so many milestones that have happened in my life since then (engagement, new job, wedding, new job, move, my daughter Haley was born), that day remains so clear in my head. I hope my daughter, Haley (13 months old), will never have to see something like that."
RYAN SCHMITT: "At first, I thought it was a TV show, until I saw that it was on every channel. Then it was a numb feeling like you knew nothing was going to be the same. It was a tragedy because, in that day, thousands lost their lives. But more importantly, the dream that America was invincible was taken away. Today, families of both victims and soldiers continue to be affected and hurt by the events."
JOSH STANTION: "I had a 9:45am class at Wabash that I had a short quiz for that I was up earlier than normal for. A couple of people had the TV on in the fraternity's main area where I was studying. I went to the class, took the quiz, and the professor said that due to recent events we could leave if we wanted to. I went back to the house and was glued to the TV for a long while. I remember thinking this is some sort of publicity stunt or fake news because of the severity and atrocious nature of the attacks. A lot of the guys were shell shocked, same as me. There was an eerie silence through out the house that was normally filled with loud activity that happens when 54 18-22 year old men live in the same house."
JILL MCELHENY: "I was in 8th grade in 2001. It was a Tuesday and I remember how beautiful the morning was. I was home sick with the stomach flu and was disappointed I was sick on such a pretty day. I sat there watching the news as the second plane flew into that tower behind the news anchor. I remember looking to my parents, confused as to how two planes in a row could have accidentally crashed that way. I remember seeing my grandpa start to cry, staring at the TV. America has been through SO much since then. We are on the brink of another divisive year, separated by debt talks and political parties, natural disasters and hard economic times. But what I can remember from that day is that for the first time, an entire country came together. In spite of language barriers and politics and class and geography, an entire nation of people came together to lift up the lost and wounded and carry each other into each following day. I will forever be proud to be an American because of that."
KENNY BALDWIN: "Seems like it was just yesterday. I can't believe it's been 10 years. Makes me proud to know there are still people fighting for that day and that those people whose lives were lost that day are not forgotten and will never be forgotten."
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I think it's safe to say that we sometimes still cringe at a dull hollow somewhere inside of us, and we wonder how we could still feel such a loss after all this time. Some of you might cry come Sunday, maybe you'll light a candle in a church somewhere. You might hug your spouse or your children a little tighter. No matter where you are or what you're doing on Sunday... remember that this is what it means to be an American. To come together in spite of our differences and stand together. We will always remember. And never forget.
Note: SSI employee, Mike Sheppard, has an uncle who was one of the first responders after this event. He was generous enough to share his reflections with us and we thought we'd share them with you as well.
September 11, 2001 - September 11, 2011: My Reflections by George Sheppard