I lived pretty close to the city. Kids from my school lost parents that day. The school didn't tell any students as I assume they didn't want to freak everyone out and cause mass hysteria. The school did not let out early either, I assume they thought this would have been the safest place for us. Teachers were obviously bothered by something and super nervous throughout the day. None of them could focus. None of them wanted to be there. Students were being taken out of school all day by their parents, one by one. I can say with certainty that it was the most awkward day of my life - you could tell something was seriously wrong but no one would tell you anything and you were just left wondering. I had thought maybe some sort of scandal with the school had broken or something. By the end of the day half of the school had been taken out by their parents. The last few classes were half empty. I can't describe the feeling - knowing that something is seriously off but not having any answers.
I remember getting home and both my parents were already home. That shit never happens. I walked in and the first thing I see is my parents watching the news - videos of the towers collapsing on TV. Surreal.
I didn't play EQ that day. Nothing could have pulled me away from that TV.
I do remember logging in the next day and seeing the patch notes include a statement about 9/11, followed by another about a victim. Here they are if anyone cares:
Quote:
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September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack Response
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"The staff of Sony Online Entertainment wish to extend their
condolences and prayers to the victims, and the families of the
victims, lost in today’s horrific events. We share in your grief during
these difficult times."
The quote from our front page expresses how we all feel here in the
office. I only want to extend my personal sympathies to all the
families that this has touched.
We have received many letters, and I want to thank you all for sending
them in. It's obvious that we will all be different people from here
forward. If I don't dwell on this in my responses here it is only
because I know that none of us will forget what has happened, and that
you come here for entertainment not reminders of tragedy.
Alan
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Quote:
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September 13, 2001
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Sony Online Entertainment, is asking for your help in locating someone
involved in the recent terror:
Sony Online Entertainment needs your help in locating Gregory Trost.
Gregory is a nephew of an SOE employee and his last known location was
the 86th floor of Tower Two in the World Trade Center. With the tragic
events that took place on September 11, the Trost family is anxious for
any information regarding Gregory. If you have any information on
Gregory's whereabouts, please contact Sony Online Entertainment at this
special address. greginfo@station.sony.com
[Editor Note: Gregory Trost was later found to be among the nearly 3000
people killed in the World Trade Center disaster.]
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