I remember thinking as I drove to the downtown school where I taught court reporting, what a perfect autumn day it was, a cloudless sky on September 11, 2001 in Columbus, Ohio.  That morning I was assisting the head teacher as we read Q&A for high speed students preparing for graduation. 

Around 10:30 that morning a member of the school staff burst into our classroom from the offices downstairs urging us to turn on the TV.  Prior to this classroom TVs were used exclusively for simulating courtroom scenarios.  

At this moment when Breaking News flashed across the screen, the hum of conversation abruptly ceased and all eyes were riveted to the TV screen.  We watched in disbelief as first one and then the other twin tower collapsed.  As the cameras focused on the panicked people running down the streets from the carnage, I quietly sobbed as did others in the room.  

As the shock took hold locally, Downtown government offices closed and police took charge of the entire downtown area.  The airports closed.  Meetings were canceled. 

Time seemed to stop and no one could make sense of what was literally happening in front of our eyes.  TV coverage alternated between the Pentagon, the air crash in Pennsylvania, and the Twin Towers.  Our school was closed for the remainder of that day and the following day.  I remember feeling apprehension, driving home that afternoon.  City streets were eerily quiet.  

I remember viewing on TV the endless postings of missing persons in New York.  Many local emergency and medical personnel flew there to help out.

Little did we realize the lasting impact of the horrific events of that day.  From that day forward I have had to show proper identification (my driver's license) and submit to opening my steno case for inspection upon entering government buildings as a stenographer.