UPDATE!! SmokeStik Post Memorial Day Contest.....check out this fabulous new battery! In Honor of 9/11

[lorikay13]

Howdy Ya'll

Now first off....these things are not officially released to the public yet.....but due to the nature of this contest I foresee it will run for several weeks. Now I know contests are supposed to be fun.....and this one won't be. But it will be important. Everyone at SmokeStik wants to be sure ya;ll understand how heartfelt the development of this product was. Yes....we have a gorgeous television and movie star sponsoring it......Daniel Sunjata of Rescue Me fame. Daniel is the one who approached us and wanted to donate a portion of the proceeds to 9/11 first responder medical funds. And he was actively involved in the design as well. This is not a "paid advertisement" like a Nascar or a 10,000$ uTube contest....it's very real. And that is the basis of the contest.....one post per person will be strickly enforced....winner will be drawn at radom by a random generator bot. Prize....a complete Halligan kit and your choice of 2 5packs of cartomizers.

Post about what you ask? Post your personal 9/11 story.....it can be simply where you were when it happened....to how it made you feel and/or impacted your life later. This is not limited to folks directly involved in the tragedy. And I especially encourage former and retired military and first responders to talk about your feelings. I know that the X-Mrlorikay13 was f-ed up in the head for almost a year....former Navy SeaBee. He raged for weeks about feeling useless......all he wanted to do was put that uniform back on.

In Honor of EVERYONE who does or ever has risked their life in uniform.....as well as those in civies. There are many incredible stories that should not be forgotten....many, many unsung heroes who never got any recognition or glory. Like the hundreds of pest control applicators from all over the country who responded to try and control the spread of disease....the amatuer search dog teams...regular folks who gave up jobs and risked their long term health just to serve food to the "troops".......on and on and on....thank you ALL.

 

[spacekitty]

I was wondering what you meant by "Halligan kit" in the other thread... they are just wonderful, and the thought behind them as well...

 

[thehangdude]

Like many, I was at work on 9/11/01. What I remember most is looking up in the afternoon and seeing no planes. Not one vapor trail. It was my wife's birthday, and I hadn't picked up her gift (a very large item). I went to Sears, and they were still open, but the store was empty of customers.

My wife gets angry every year that they highjacked her birthday. I will never forget her birthday now. We pray often for those lost that day, and for those fighting so it never happens again.

 

[webbcm127]

Well I believe I was in the 9th grade listening to the teacher rambling on about whatever subject, my mother had txt me and told me to get someone to turn on the TV. After a brief second of yelling at my teacher then as the hole class fell silent, we watched everything happen. As it all sunk in I decided at that point I would join the military, so I graduated at 16 joined the army when I was 17 and all of that because of 9/11. Now I also lost family on that day, a cousin and a aunt. So that somewhat fueled my fire. I have not forgotten that day nor will I ever forget, I pray for all the people and families that were involved, and for all the service members weather they were there or not. Thank you for reading.

 

[redheadone]

I remember working that day in the hospital in my hometown. I was giving meds to an eledly an when a coworker screamed down the hall to come look at the TV I turned on the tv in my patients room and couldn;t believe it. I remember crying fro days every time I saw those awful pictures and grieved for all the losses I still to this day remember that day and hope nothing like that ever happens again

 

[librarising]

I live about 50 miles due north of NYC, near the flight path of the planes coming down from Boston.

It was an exquisite morning, a perfect morning. I remember looking out of my kitchen window as my younger son was walking to his bus and noticing not a single cloud in the bluest of skies.

I was watching the Today Show and it was cut into with a newsflash from local NBC news. They were reporting that a plane hit the WTC. They were interviewing on the phone a witness who described the plane as a small jet. I was watching in shock and then saw the second plane hit. I knew then it was a deliberate attack. Not too long afterward I lost tv reception. The network antennas were mounted on one of the WTC towers. I then surfed the cable networks and CNN was covering it. When the first tower went down I got on the phone and called my ex-husband. He works in midtown Manhattan and I was told he was out of the office for a meeting. Paranoia set in and my older son (he was home from school sick) and I were on tenterhooks for 3 hours until my ex called and said he was in a meeting near Grand Central which is in midtown..and he was fine. A co-worker's wife worked in one of the towers. The co-worker walked from midtown to downtown to find her. They met by sheer luck in the street near the ruins. She was fortunate and had worked on a lower floor.

I recall reports of planes being missing and also that all planes were being called down to land. About an hour after that, my son and I heard a jet and we ran onto my deck. We saw a jet heading due south and we both had the same thought and my son verbalized it...Mom, where's Indian Point (the nuclear power plant)? I told him it was southwest of here. We both held our breaths until we saw the plane move southeast. For months afterward, every time we heard a jet we rushed to look out of windows or out on our deck. A form of ptsd I guess......

The next day my sons' school notified families that they were collecting clothes for rescue workers to be brought down to the city by our local fire fighters. I went to Walmart first thing in the morning to buy sweats, socks and gloves. Wishing to be able to do so much more. I wished that they needed blood donations so I could give.....

Both of my sons had friends that lost uncles that day. Firemen. Their families still mourn.

Although I live in the burbs now, I am a NYC "girl" born and bred. My city was attacked that day and even in the aftermath, I didn't want us to go to war. Terrorism is a tactic and not a country. I believe in justice and not blind revenge. My heart cries not only for all of the people who perished on 9/11 and their families, but for all of those innocents killed, maimed, displaced in Afghanistan and Iraq, and for their families. They were victims of misguided vengeance. Well over a million people by now.... The victor has been the military industrial complex which has bled our treasury dry.

Peace.

 

[tierrataz]

Manny was a Border Collie foster of BCR-CA of which I have been a volunteer since 1996. Highly ball driven, he was evaluated and accepted into the National Search Dog Foundation by founder Wilma, herself. Paired with his handler, Manny was deployed on many missions and achieved the highest level of certification. His most notable and fatal deployment was NYC after 9-11. He was also chosen for their poster as seen here.

Ron told of the hardships the dogs faced searching. The hot metal, razor sharp shards of materials that required the dogs to wear leather boots that had to be replaced more than once during a "shift". Fumes and dust that required eye flushing and oxygen for the animals. How hard it was for the dog not to find live scent. Manny was not a cadaver dog The dogs suffered from depression after the days finding so few alive.

Manny went on several deployments after 9-11 but had to be retired when he developed cancer. The specialists said it was from the chemical exposure at the twin towers. It was a dark day in our rescue when Manny crossed over the bridge. Most of the search dogs that went to NYC lost their lives to cancer. These creatures do not work for anything more than the love of the hunt and their handlers. These dogs were scheduled to be euthanized and rescue stepped in to save them. Dogs that are tossed like an old pair of shoes go onto help rescue humankind.

It has been a few years that Manny is gone and I still cry. If you are looking for a charity, please consider the National Search Dog foundation. You never know, the next life these dogs save could be your own!

 

[zadane]

when 9/11 happened I was still rather young. I was only 12... i remember going to school that day and everyone was talking about something. I didn't know what it was, everyone kept asking if I had heard what happened. I was at a loss until i got to my first period class science. the teacher was told not to let us watch the news but he still put it on and we watched in silence as everything unfolded. the following the days were very hectic, my dad being in the navy the rest of my family and I got quite the scare.

flash forward to a few years later. I was 17 in high school when an army recruiter came to me. I left school and joined, things sadly didn't work for me, but there isn't a day that goes past that i don't feel i should still be in there... I never would have joined if it wasn't for what happened...

 

[Ceegary]

Woke up in the morning, made my coffee, took a shower, just another day like any other...workday. Flipped on the TV and saw vid of WTC building in flames. Then they showed vid of a plane flying right into. WTF! "Honey, Honey, have you watched the news?!" As we sat watching, speculating, assuming, worrying....Bam! Watched the second fly right into the second tower. I knew then it was a day like none other I'd experienced.

 

[quittin4mykids]

I was a happily married mom of two boys- my youngest was a little over a year old at the time- My husband and I were living in South Texas helping my grandparents with the farm- she was starting to die from emphasyma.

I always came downstairs, went to the barn before daylight, did all the chores, then would come home, turn on the news and start breakfast- I could 'almost' hear the TV in the kitchen.

Everyone always griped about it, and someone usually changed it.
Every day we had a huge breakfast, it was after all the chores were done and so it was late morning- Always- biscuts, eggs, bacon, and homemade jelly- Noone made biscuts like my grandmother- They were SOOO good.

We were sitting at the bar eating, just like normal, and my husband looked over at the TV- He said "what the hell is that?" My first thought was "what *(@&U)(* changed the channel this time?" because there was some movie on about someone ramming a plane into buildings.

THEN- we realized it was really happening. That was OUR country being hit- My babies would NEVER grow up knowing the security of the Statue of Liberty without planes bent on destruction flying past. I was just heartbroken. So sad and so mad. I think I was more mad than anything though- I cried a little. Not much, because the disbelief wouldnt let me- and when the anger set in- I couldnt cry anymore.

I remember trying to get online and find out about friends I had met through ebay that were in NYC- I remember sitting there and praying for men and women jumping out of buildings and wondering if I would have the guts to do it. I remember holding my 2 year old and one year old and praying that they would know the joys of family, friends, and childhoods- running through the woods, fishing, hunting- I prayed that our entire country didnt become a war zone and I vowed to stand behind ANYONE who would rid our world of the lowlifes who did this. I promised myself that I wouldnt let my children forget that day. Even if they were not old enough to remember it.

I was deep in the country- we were 20 miles from a town with no walmart. and it was the closest town- But 6 months later my husband was on a job in California- He offered me a second honeymoon in vegas- I would meet him there- Fly out and he would drive to meet me, then we would drive back home to Texas.

I jumped at the idea.

Vegas was a whirlwind- amazing fun, lots of laughs and a sight I cant wait to see again- But the one thing I will NEVER forget is the New York New York, with all the firemans and policemans shirts on the fence- Shirts from all over the world. Sent in tribute.

And that night, we were walking the strip, and went to the Beligio- Just in time for the water and music display-

They played God Bless the USA - By Lee Greenwood- Now from the time I was a little girl (weaned on barbera mandrell and George Jones) I have LOVED this song, and always got tears when I sang along with the radio- But that night- with the water dancing, the lights shining and the music playing- I felt like the whole world would just be a happier place if everyone had something that filled their heart like that specticale did mine.

I was astounded to look around me- grown men, old men, young men, ladies- young and old- rich, or like us, just poor tourists, were crying. They ALL felt the pride, the sorrow and the LOVE for our Country.

I have 4 kids now- not just the two boys- and they DO get to enjoy hunting and fishing, and running through the woods- My oldest says he is going to go into the army- he wants to fight for our country.

We talk about 9-11 honestly with our children. and every anniversary I let them watch ALL the shows about it. They were thrilled when OBL was caught- they KNEW what it meant- and they dont miss an oppurtunity to sing God Bless the USA- or say the pledge or sing the national anthem. EVEN though they are homeschooled.

 

[locke2121]

I was getting ready to head off to another day at college, and my mom called me into the living room saying a plane had hit the WTC. I was like wow, what an accident! When I was driving I heard that another had hit...our country was under attack. All day in school in between classes the main office was crowded with teachers watching tv. I remember crowding in there past all the students and watching a few mintues. My speech teacher was in there...and we gave each other a sad look....a big part of what made us feel so safe was gone that day. America never felt fully safe after that. But I also watched people for the next few months become what we're supposed to be, people who show the love and respect for our country and the people who fight to keep it this way, here and abroad.

 

[MissP]

I remember I was vacumning my living room when the newscast broke on the television. I had never felt such horror in the pit of my stomach. I was glued to the television all day... and I mean GLUED. I still cannot totally explain the emotional feelings and the scared thoughts I had...

This is a great contest for sure... and a wonderful reminder of those who were directly affected.

 

[Lauralie]

I was at work and I heard something about a plane hitting the twin towers.....I turned it up and asked everyone to quiet down and explained why....no one believed me. Well it didn't take long and they did.......many many tears cried that day....phones didn't ring much after that moment.

Though there are many devastating things that happen daily I think that will always stand out the most because it was personal to all Americans

Thank you for a wonderful/meaningful contest!

 

[keelalagirl55]

The most tragic day of our time It was the day before my birthday and I was home playin with my kid. I got the tragic news via a phone call from my then Fiancee. Feelings of complete and utter helplessness, despair, heartbreak, you name it I felt it. I come from a family full of military men, and with that an undying love for this country. Once the numbness of the whole ordeal wore off there was nothing left but pain and anger....an anger I have never felt before. How could anyone find it "just" to destroy the lives of so many and place the most brutal fear into those innocent lives meeting an unbearable fate?
To this day, I shudder at the thought of my approaching birthday....how can I celebrate another year of life when so many are once again mourning the loss of their child, mother, father, brother, sister, husband or wife? Those lives will forever be damaged in a way that no one deserves. Just typing all this brings tears and heartache. I did not know anyone that lost their life or loved on on that dreadful day, but I did know ones who have lost their lives as a result of it; and I have family and friends that still work and fight because of it!

What a wonderful thing you are doing not only with this contest, but the charitable contributions you make and the huge heart that ya'll have! Thank You!!!

 

[sooperdrave]

i was at work, taking care of stuff out in the lumber yard. my boss came outside and said "dave, you have to come see this."
i went into the office thinking that my boss had a new tool or custom router bit to show me....then i saw the tv.....

I know that the X-Mrlorikay13 was f-ed up in the head for almost a year....former Navy SeaBee. He raged for weeks about feeling useless......all he wanted to do was put that uniform back on.

lk, this is exactley how i felt. i had to watch my friends deploy, and all i could think about, was that i wouldnt be going with them this time to watch their backs. if there was anyway for me to get medical clearance, i would have re-upped immediatley.

as a disabled former airborne ranger, i salute all military, all veterans, all police, all firefighters, all medical personel, and all civilians who put their lives on the line for others. HOOAH! (its an army thing)

 

[Katya]

It's hard to read those stories...

It was early in California. My husband woke me up--he was watching CNN. I had to take my kids to school, but I really wanted to keep them at home...

Thank you , Dave, for your service. And thanks to all the brave military, police, firefighters and paramedics, and everyone else who helped that day and during the days that followed. I hope that with Bin Laden's death, at least some of the families will find closure.

 

[bakersuds]

I was at work and one of the ladies came back from her break and said a plane had crashed into a building in NY. When I got home later that day I found out my friend's husband was in the Pentagon at the time but was not injured. Never will forget that day.

 

[DrmChld]

I was laying in bed. The alarm radio went off and I reached up to shut it off. My wife heard a little snippet about planes crashing into the towers and had me turn it back on immediately. We then got up and ran to the TV to turn on the news. .... naked we sat for hours on the couch. We were self-employed and everyone was given the day off.

Everywhere we went people were in shock and talking about it. Cars lined up on the side of the road just listening to the news. It was crazy

 

[ciggy]

I was at my friend's house playing video games and his brother came in the room and turned off the playstation and turned on the news broadcast. We were in shock and thought that it couldn't have been real. I called my 2 friends in New York and asked them if they were okay. My friend and I didn't go to school that day; I was in junior college at the time. I went home about 30 minutes later and watched the news all day.

 

[HyOnLyph]

Since I'm on the west coast, I woke to the news on my clock-radio. I actually didn't believe it at first and went back to sleep after hitting the snooze. But then realized it might be real. I spent the day glued to the TV watching every channel. My Dad was a WWII pilot who passed away just weeks before and I kept thinking... "If Dad had seen this, he'd have been so angry".