9/11 Voicemails: 10 years later, Chicagoans share their memories

9/11 Voicemails: 10 years later, Chicagoans share their memories
Listeners share their thoughts and memories of 9/11. 'Eight Forty-Eight' will air listners' calls throughout the week. Flickr/deltaMike
9/11 Voicemails: 10 years later, Chicagoans share their memories
Listeners share their thoughts and memories of 9/11. 'Eight Forty-Eight' will air listners' calls throughout the week. Flickr/deltaMike

9/11 Voicemails: 10 years later, Chicagoans share their memories

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Updated: 9/11/11 at 2:06 a.m.

Ceremonies and remembrances took place across the nation Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th terrorists attacks.

In New York City, family members of those killed in the attacks remembered their loved ones in a ceremony at the newly opened Memorial Plaza at the World Trade Center site.

The ceremony included the reading of the names of nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks. It also included six moments of silence, marking the times that each plane hit the towers; when each tower fell; and the attacks on the Pentagon and Flight 93. Houses of worship throughout the city were asked to toll their bells for the first moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., which marks the moment when the first plane hit the North Tower.  

In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel was scheduled to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance to pay tribute to victims and their families, as well as to the Chicago police and fire fighters who went to New York to help that city’s first responders.

After this morning’s Sept. 11 anniversary ceremonies in New York, President Barack Obama traveled to Shanksville, Pa., where United Flight 93 crashed, before returning to Washington for a memorial concert at the Kennedy Center.

Chicagoans reflect, remember

Sept. 11th, 2001 is a date forever etched in the minds of many people around the world, including those in Chicago. A decade later, many still remember exactly where they were and what they were doing on that Tuesday morning.

To help mark the occasion, Eight Forty-Eight asked Chicagoans to share their memories of 9/11 and how the event changed their life.

Here are a few of their stories:

Mirth Steelbar remembers feeling the significance and symbolism of the American flag as he travelled abroad:

Jason Stipp, a teacher, watched the event unfold with his students:

Steven Marks, a college student at the time, watched events unfold outside his window:



Bethany Lang, then in high school, learned you can never say never:



History teacher Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins recalls how the event soon made her lesson plans come to life: 

And local chef and restauranteur Gale Gand says the tragedy provided a chance to re-connect with a someone special:

LIST OF CHICAGO-AREA SEPTEMBER 11 COMMEMORATIONS:

EVANSTON — Evanston commemorates anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks, 8:45 a.m. Lagoon at Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Road. 

NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES — Naval Station Great Lakes sailors 9/11 terrorist attacks anniversary remembrance ceremony, 9 a.m. Ross Field. 

CHICAGO — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin attends interfaith ceremony marking 9/11 terrorist attacks anniversary, 9:30 a.m. St. Rita of Cascia Church, 6243 S. Fairfield Ave. 

JOLIET — Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante attends memorial service for 9/11 terrorist attacks anniversary, 9:30 a.m. First Assembly of God, 1741 Essington Road. 

CHICAGO — U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk honors 9/11 first responders before Chicago Bears game, 10 a.m. media availability; 11:50 a.m. ceremony. Field Museum’s south steps.

AURORA — City of Aurora marks anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks with ceremony, 10 a.m. Aurora Central Fire Station, 74 N. Broadway Ave. 

FOREST PARK — Oak Park Fire Department 9/11 terrorist attacks anniversary fundraiser, 10:30 a.m. Healy’s Westside, 7321 W. Madison Ave. 

DARIEN — Tri-State Fire District 9/11 terrorist attacks commemoration with World Trade Center beam, 11 a.m. Station Two Headquarters, 419 Plainfield Road. 

ORLAND PARK — Mayor Daniel McLaughlin presents citation to Police Chief Timothy McCarthy and Orland Park Fire Protection District Chief Raymond Kay at community service, 11 a.m. Ashburn Baptist Church, 153rd Street and Wolf Road.

CHICAGO — First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple to remember 9/11.  Noon. First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, 77 West Washington St.

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel participates in National Moment of Remembrance for 9/11 terrorist attacks, 12 p.m. “Little Cubs” Field, 1339 Luis Munoz Marin Drive. 

JOLIET — Joliet police and fire departments mark 9/11 terrorist attacks anniversary with ringing of bells and sirens and one minute of reflection, 12 p.m. 

LAKE VILLA TOWNSHIP — 9/11 terrorist attacks remembrance with Navy Region Midwest chief of staff Capt. Caroline Nielson, 1 p.m. 37908 N. Fairfield Road. Contact: 

NAPERVILLE — Naperville Exchange Club sponsors 9/11 terrorist attacks remembrance, 1 p.m. Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial behind the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. 

CHICAGO — West Garfield Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Elmhurst College, Muslims Medical Professional and Leader’s Network hold 9/11 terrorist attacks commemoration, 3 p.m. 

CHICAGO — Fulcrum Point New Music Project commemorates 9/11 anniversary with performance, 3 p.m. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph. 

CICERO — Cicero hosts commemoration of 9/11 terrorist attacks, 5 p.m. Community Park, 34th Street and Laramie. 

CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Danny Davis holds 9/11 terrorist attacks candlelight vigil, 7 p.m. Homan Square, 3333 W. Arthington. 

CHICAGO — 4th Presbyterian Church interfaith service to commemorate anniversary 9/11 terrorist attacks, 7 p.m. 126 E. Chestnut St. 

Additional reporting from The Associated Press.