🇬🇧 British Reaction to Alan Jackson - Where were you (When the world stopped turning) 🇬🇧

[@lanatrapp1589]

Alan is hands down one of the best songwriters of our time. Alan said he couldn't sleep so he got up picked up a pen and God wrote the words.

[@ashleyranch9721]

i LOVED how he did not pause it to talk so then you can really get into the feel of it!!! thanks

[@taylorfamilyreactions]

I don’t think I could have if I tried!

[@ashleyranch9721]

@@taylorfamilyreactions same here if it comes on i just have to listen to it!!

[@SportsandTrueCrime]

@@taylorfamilyreactions As an army brat of 2 vets who grew up on military bases, have many active and retired military family members, a 911 survivor and 1st responder and a federal agent, this song got to me beyond belief. I remember it like a crystal clear nightmare. I worked at WTC. Survived. Went to get my son and see my mother bcuz at the time cells weren’t working due to the sheer traffic of calls. I hugged and kissed my family then went right back. The first 2-3 were rescue missions. Afterward, it was recovery efforts. I will never forget calling for bodybags like every 5 minutes. At some point we were finding just pieces. An intestine, limbs, appendages, etc. I still haven’t been back to the site to visit the memorial since. 🇺🇸 💪🏾

[@tammysue6199]

September 9 11 God bless America

[@J.M.Savage]

@@SportsandTrueCrime God bless you, and you family. I can't imagine how it must have affected you

[@martywise8505]

All this time and I still cry every time I hear it

[@cwickner1]

Alan's words, "I woke up one morning around 4 a.m. a few weeks afterward, and had that chorus going through my head. The song came out of nowhere in the middle of the night -- just a gift. And I got up and scribbled it down and put the melody down so I wouldn't forget it, and then the next day I started piecing all those verses together that were the thoughts I'd had or visuals I'd had. It was a Sunday -- I remember because, when I started writing it, my wife and girls had gone off to Sunday school, and I finished it that day. Like I said, that song was just a gift. I've never felt I could take credit for writing it. Looking back, I guess I just didn't want to forget how I felt on that day and how I knew other people felt.. He wrote it one week before performing it on the CMA awards

[@chrismorin1318]

I remember him performing it that night! So many tears and raw emotions. I feel like that to this very day when I hear this song. I think I'll always cry when I hear it.

[@michelleortega1514]

Toby keiths red white and blue is really how we all felt.

[@davidtullis2810]

I agree but at the same time it's what gets the US into all these wars around the world that cannot be won

[@michaelb.3982]

@@davidtullis2810 Be thankful, you're an American, little girl ! ''Wars around the world'' ??????

[@brianbaswell5895]

I remember when President Bush said we were going after the ones who were responsible and we were gathering a coalition of the willing. Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first Who immediately responded and I'm paraphrasing "We got Your Back, Let's get them"!❤🇺🇸🇬🇧❤

[@plumup]

The heart in your comments is so warming. Thank you!

[@MemawAngie]

❤ You just touched my heart . Real heart felt reaction. Bless you.

[@jimreilly917]

On your face I could read all the reactions I had when this first came out. On 9/12/01 and again this year, the Queen ordered her Guards to play our anthem. She’s been pure class since WWII. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@terryskidmore6739]

Yes she is. God save the Queen ❣️🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@jimreilly917]

@@terryskidmore6739 keep in mind I’m American saying that…and every grandparent came from Ireland right after the civil war in the 20s. What Churchill did with the Black n Tans he can suck it. But QEII DROVE FOR THE MED CORPS IN WWII. I have deep respect for that.

[@patriciaotoole5930]

Ty

[@aletmartins6940]

It still makes me cry.

[@johndalessandro6433]

Yes she was!!!'when she passed , even though she wasn't our queen, we felt it! She didn't just wear a crown and wave, she got her hands dirty during the war as a mechanic . She was so young , I will always admire her!!

[@tallestmountain]

The difference between this song and so many other 9/11, is that most of them are filled with anger. This one just unites us.

[@chuckschoch]

Sometimes we speak the loudest when we say nothing at all...everything you could have possibly said during the song was written in your eyes. Thank you for reacting to this song.

[@asaabrahamagulnik574]

Your comment just reminded me of an Alison Krauss song (When You Say Nothing At All); I love that song.

[@maryj2671]

Wow! loved this comment! Alan could you write a song ? Sometimes we speak the loudest when we say nothing at all.. everything you could of possibly said during our beautiful life together , was always written in your eyes. huh? what do you think Alan? ty chuckschoch such a great comment!

[@Toaster_Weevil]

It was my first day of preschool. I was obviously too young to understand what was happening and why we were being evacuated (I lived pretty close to NY at the time) but I will never forget how scared my parents were.

[@trudymorris9981]

I was on my way to work and listening to the radio in the Chicago area. When I got to the office it was on the tv and everyone was in shock.

[@gregtaylor8651]

Army veteran here. I was at the Pentagon when it was attacked heading for that ring to do work. It a day no one will forget, but it a day, I relive every year. My children were in school and daycare while my wife was visiting her parents in Germany. This song brings me to tears even today. All the words are spot on for me as my brother and his wife were on there way from NC to VA to get my kids because they had not heard from me due the phone lines and cell lines were all down.

[@lilsuzec]

Wow. What a horrible day for you and your family. I was in Georgia, so not as personal, but like he said, we just watched the news on repeat for days. Atl was on lockdown. Some of us were terrified of something happening at the CDC bc of all the diseases we store there. Thank God you and your family are safe. Thank you for your service.

[@magic8ball1982]

9/11 is definitely our generation's JFK story. Everyone remembers exactly what they were doing the moment they found out.

[@cards0486]

Many of us were kids on 11/22/63, I was 12. We were very aware of the horror of what hit our country. But didn’t really feel the depth of it. 9/11/01 we were adults; and immediately thought back to that November day in 1963. We had the sick feeling and overwhelming grief that adults had then. I felt it harder on 9/11 of course. Now I was 50. And I had a classroom of 3rd graders. Those older had experienced December 7,1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a day just like these two days. Those “you’ll always remember where you were when you found out” days.

[@sharonw.9091]

@@cards0486 I was in the first grade when JFK was assassinated. Like you, I didn't understand the situation until I was older. It's strange how you remember tragedies with moments in your own life.

[@trevorsmith9162]

@@cards0486 9/11/01, I was 12. i was at school 6th grade history class my teacher walked in she had a blank look on her face i remember she was crying the principal came over the loudspeaker and told us what had happened & that the world would never be the same.

[@ffwr-109]

@@trevorsmith9162 6th grade Spanish class here.

[@annpachini2155]

@@cards0486 I was in the 7th grade when President Kennedy was assassinated. I will never forget that day. When it was announced you could have heard a pin drop in the school it was so quiet

[@aingealtara1479]

.. In Denmark it was a sunny day and a very warm day too.. I was visiting a friend and had been in the garden most of the morning, when I decided to go back inside to get something to drink.. For whatever the reason I turned on the telly and it showed something I thought was a film.. That was only seconds after the first plane had hit the tower.. I found the film weird but kept watching trying to find out what it was about, and I saw the other plane coming from somewhere far away, like a dot growing bigger, and way before it came near the tower I knew that it would hit the tower.. I remember how I stopped breathing and my body started shaking, my heart was jumping and I couldn't believe my eyes when the plane went right through the tower.. That's when I realized it was not a film of some sort, but the worst of the worst that I have ever seen.. It hit mee even harder when I saw people way way up in the building, climbing and hanging out the windows, crying and screaming desperate for help.. People jumping from the windows and the Danish reporter standing on the grown in tears apologize for his lack of words and professionalism.. He had nothing to apologize for.. When back home I lighted candles in my windows and kept them burning for days while watching the news around the clock.. And though it is nothing much, I still light candles in my windows on 9/11.. And that day still leaves mee with the same feeling of helplessness..

[@nicopico5537]

I was in middle school in class and the teacher turned on the tv and we watched it.. and when I got home from school we watched it all that evening… now that I’m older I’ve watched about the details and about what happened and the people.. I watched about the one airplane that went down in Pennsylvania and the two tower… it broke my heart so much.. I thought about it for days and it make me cry.. I just can’t imagine what was going through their minds and how scared they was.. it just breaks your heart

[@jam6242]

I was working in Washington, D.C., that day so I had a first-hand view of some of the events. A number of British citizens were also killed in the attacks (as well as citizens of other countries). This truly impacted the world. As someone mentioned below, as an American, I was very touched when our national anthem was played at Buckingham Palace. Thanks for reacting.

[@aletmartins6940]

I agree. The Queen is much loved for allowing the US anthem to be played. It broke my heart that so many Americans were stuck and couldn’t get home.

[@christianlequoix7473]

That was hands down the true definition of honor and respect. Knowing how much respect for that to have happened, I was proud to have English ancestry like never before. God Save the Queen.

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

I was in my home office, my husband was supposed to be at the Pentagon that day, but he was caught in traffic, he was on the exit ramp at the Pentagon when it was hit. I was a crazy person until I heard from him, all the schools locked down and I couldn't get my children, I have never felt so helpless. I just sat there watching people die, others risking their lives to help and praying for every one and everything, it was all I could do.

[@deannaledford1270]

The nice part about living in a country Community where everybody knows everybody I was able to get my kids

[@tjk200081]

I'm glad to hear that your husband survived!

[@joypenta3999]

I truly believe in my heart angels where looking down and guard him safety that day! I'm glad he was ok.

[@Openeyes847]

My Lord I hope you had anyone with you. My heart hurts for you just hearing your story. Even after all these years, it still hurts. I had no one in any of the attack's. But I knew so many that were soon to be sent to war. I am glad the Lord blessed you and yours.

[@bigboi2286]

God Bless America

[@sheilaF4713]

That song gets me every dang time! Alan said God wrote it not himself. TY God!

[@MsSigurd3]

Yes its a beautiful song as said here Alan where up all night he couldent go to sleep so he sat down and wrote this amazing song,you have to listen to Alans for me the best song and thats Remeber when all his family is in the video hugs from Norway 💕💕💕

[@meeting_meghan]

I was in grade 8 English class (in Ontario Canada) when September 11th happened and later in the year for this same class I used this song as part of a project about music/lyrics.

[@TheSeptemberSapphire]

I was in first grade. I got into class and my teacher was bawling. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "the twin towers fell." Being young, I had no idea what she was talking about. The school's after school daycare was cancelled because our sitter's brother was in New York and she couldn't get ahold of him (he was fine). My mom had to pick me up and take me to her work to finish the shift. It's one of those restaurants that serve American breakfast and dinner buffets and they also have meals to order. They would get a lot of retirees who would have breakfast and dinner there in large groups. When my mom sat me down in their section with a coloring book, there was a whole bunch of them watching tv with their coffee just quietly staring as if in a trance. Some of those men were probably veterans from previous wars so they knew what was coming.

[@beegee1960]

Watched for days. Just couldn’t make myself stop.

[@SpencerReidFan666]

Thank u for this ❤ Love From America 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@heather2493]

Your reaction is beautiful my brother. Alan is a genius songwriter

[@Ash-dt8qy]

A day I will never forget sitting in math class excited for my friend and I were talking anout our friend who was in Newyork he was going to bring us gifts. But in a min we watched pure terror. To know that so many ppl went to their deaths

[@treyskrabanek54]

If you dont cry after hearing this song you're not human

[@roseyhorsegirl8079]

I was fortunate enough to only be one year old when the towers were hit, but I can't imagine how my parents and grandparents felt about bringing up a new life in a world where these kinds of things could happen. Unfortunately, we've had plenty of unnecessarily evil events happen since then. (I'm speaking mostly of all the school shootings.) I hope I never have to live through something as horrific and world-shattering as 9/11. I hope I never live through something so tragic as to always remember what I did that day.

[@sheilasisk7550]

Thank you and your country for sharing in out greif

[@SickGirlRocks]

❤️ I was getting ready for work. I woke up my husband and when I got to work all we did was listen to the radio all day. I think everyone knew someone affected directly. It’s devastating that here we are 20 years later and we are so messed up we have ignorant people here tearing down memorials because they are made up of American flags and we have people in college who don’t even know who was responsible. It just makes you want to shake people!!

[@elliceserpico711]

Agree

[@cherylfrady4602]

Ditto

[@sarahmckee3914]

I was actually giving birth to my youngest son. Unfortunately at about 230 pm I began to crash and went in for emergency surgery. Dr's said I had about a 40% chance of living. My son was completely healthy thankfully but I didn't get to see my son till the next day when I began to stabilize. Blessed to have a reason to celebrate every year on 9/11.

[@sharonharvin729]

I was cooking breakfast for 4 disabled boys . And one that could hardley talk started pointing to the tv when the second plane hit . I stopped and prayed

[@jerryashwell4752]

Beautiful

[@karenchristensen5411]

I was just getting to work on September 11th. I was also a volunteer for the Olympics that were going to be held in Salt Lake City the following year. We had a special meeting to see if we should cancel them. Thank goodness we decided to go ahead with them. I think it was the best thing for the world to go ahead with them.

[@charlestontouch]

One of the most powerful and moving songs ever...esp if you were alive to live it...

[@HeatherHolt1313]

Brings tears Everytime I hear it. That day my 8yr old and 6yr old sons learned what absolute hate and evil were. There was no hiding it, no downplaying it, couldn't do anything but TRY to explain.

[@pattiemartin9253]

Pentatonix sound of silence and amazing grace

[@ginnyedmister3717]

I was getting ready for work and watching the news. Everyone at first thought the first plane was an accident but when we saw the second plane fly right into the second tower we knew we were under attack. Just thinking about the people who held hands and jumped out of the windows breaks my heart and brings tears streaming down my face. We need to always remember.

[@aletmartins6940]

I knew people had jumped, but just this weekend saw film and heard about the man and woman who held hands and leaped. I cried.

[@raquelmyers9159]

I wasn't born whenever 9/11 happened but it still feels personal and like I was there, I can't watch footage of it without crying.

[@DivineFate900]

Yep. After what happened. We know in our hearts that things will never, EVER, be the same again.

[@elizaolsen9532]

I was at the hospital waiting on my sister to get out of heart surgery. We were watching TV in her room and I too thought it was a movie until my niece called and asked if we saw the news . That's when the second plane hit the north tower . I had to get home because my grandson was in first grade and they were supposed to be watching President Bush talk to thier sister class in Florida. Thank God he didn't react when someone whispered into his ear . The school called to tell me they were releasing the children . I got home just as he came home . He's Mom worked for a company that had their headquarters in the south tower . I thought this was as bad as when I was in Dallas during a field trip to see President Kennedy's trip to Texas . I still see the horror of that day .

[@karenchandler8325]

I watched that event unfold as my kids were getting ready for school. I was so sad. Then... really angry that their innocence and trust and security would forever be changed. Thank you for your thoughtful words. May we never forget the loss of that day and perhaps, we can focus on the love we witnessed in the aftermath. Our world could really use that outpouring of love right now. ❤

[@donnawright9246]

I now live in Texas. I lived in Arizona when this happened..thank you, we, I love all of you. Prayers to all of us.....

[@darlenewells1255]

Im American, and was just waking up, as my husband was getting our 10 and 8 year old sons up for school. My husband came in and said a plane had hit the world trade center. I thought "what a bizarre accident". I thought it must have been a small private plane. Then a moment later my husband said 'another one just hit the pentegon". I will never forget that moment when I said, "oh my God, we're under attack!" I turned on the TV and was horrified. Our 10 year old came 8n our room and said "what movie are you watching Mom?" I didn't know how to answer. We live 45 miles from San Francisco, in wine country. We didn't know if SF would be hit next. I cried for hours, watching the news. I had to explain it to my sons. My oldest asked, "Is President Bush gonna get the bad guys, Mom?" I told him, "You better believe it. America will fight back." He told me "When I get big enough, I'm gonna join the army to help!"

[@orangecrush5862]

2024 And I can't listen to that song or see those towers and not cry! Never forget! 🇺🇸

[@jlaurelc]

2:37 - Very similar experience in many ways. I'd just gotten out of a college class and was heading home for a nap. I was bothered that none of the radio stations were playing music. I couldn't figure out what was going on.

[@paulastephens2968]

Your reactions in all your videos, show how caring & what a truly special person you are.

[@cruelscientist6829]

I was 9 years-old when it happened. I don't remember things so clearly, but I do remember when AJ played this for the first time at an award show. It's always affected me. When I was 15, my 8th grade class took a trip to Philly and NY (I'm from Central Texas). Of course, we went to the 9/11 museum. It's more of a shrine than a museum. I could hardly keep it together when I saw all the posters of hundreds of people still missing after 6 years. So many of them were very young people. I pray for the families of those still not found.

[@ericageorge2921]

I was riding in the car with my mom, on the way to school. We were on Rodeo Street, coming from Pritchett, when the music stopped on the radio and the station said the World Trade Center was hit by a plane. I had no clue what the World Trade Center was... and didn't even care. I wanted to listen to music, and I turned the station. I don't remember what I had 1st period.. but I do remember the buzz in the atmosphere about everything. Still not understanding the gravity of the situation. I do however remember 2nd period. I was in Mr. Haggard's history class. The lone sophomore in a junior class. Mr. Haggard brought in a television, but it wasn't turned on to the news of the outside world. He was trying to teach. But he was distracted. Almost frantic. Then, he'd leave the room. We would turn on the TV while he was away, and see pieces of what was happening. A replay of the 2nd plane hitting and the collapse of the south tower, hearing that the Pentagon was hit, and another plane crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania, live footage of the disaster and chaos, speechless and dumbstruck newscasters, speculating and wondering. And then, Mr. Haggard would return, and the news would be turned off, and he'd attempt to teach us all over again. He left the room several times. It wasn't until the last time he left, and didn't return, and we were ushered into the history class next door, that we learned Mr. Haggard's son worked in New York, just below the World Trade Centers. Mr. Haggard kept coming back to class, trying to teach us, because he wanted to stay busy until he got word his son was safe. I don't remember the details (whether he hadn't got to the office yet, or his office was far enough away from ground zero that he was able to evacuate safely) but thankfully, at the end of the day, his son was okay. I remember being in the history classroom next door, watching the news coverage, when the north tower fell, on live TV, right in front of our eyes. It wasn't a replay of something that had already happened. It wasn't a movie. It wasn't a nightmare. It was happening, in realtime, and in our faces. I can remember feeling like my stomach had dropped, as if I was on a roller coaster. I remember my mouth started watering uncontrollably, like it does just before vomiting. I remember the knot that formed instantly in my throat. I remember covering my mouth with my hand (whether it was to prevent getting sick, or just reflex from shock, I don't know). I remember tears falling from my eyes immediately, with no warning whatsoever. I remember the gasps and voices in the room around me. I remember silently praying to God, a jumbled prayer of who knows what. I don't remember much else about the school day after that, but I assume it was mostly watching and talking about everything that was happening. I do remember, in 8th period spanish, Mrs. Auvil said we were going to turn the TV off and have class. That the people behind the attacks took enough away from us already, or something along those lines, and we were going to finish the day the way we were suppose to. Eventually someone had convinced her that this was going to be a part of our history, and we SHOULD be watching, and she caved. I remember watching the news that evening at home, and for weeks following. Hearing more and more details of the lives lost, the people responsible, the families directly affected by such an evil act of terrorism. In the years since, I've read books upon books of stories told by those who lived to tell them. I've watched countless documentaries, and movies based on the event. I've listened to hours and hours worth of interviews from survivors, and recorded phone calls from the victims, to their families or emergency services, made in the last few minutes of their lives. 9/11 is a day I will never forget. It was a day full of sorrow and pain, heroism and bravery. It was a day that Americans silently came together, and stood proudly as a whole. It didn't matter if we were young or old; fat or skinny; gay or straight; red, yellow, black, or white; sickly or healthy; Democrat or Republican; christian or atheist. On that tragically beautiful Tuesday, we were One Nation. And I'll never forget. 🇺🇸

[@donfleming9886]

One of the greatest songs ever written in any genre. It just never gets any easier to reflect on that day. All these years later it's the same degree of sadness, shock, and devastation.

[@HappyValleyDreamin]

Thank You so much for doing this for us and for sharing your experience when you watched what was happening here. It means so much to us. I will never forget that day for as long as I live. I remember watching the Changing Of The Guard at Buckingham Palace and the band played our National Anthem. The Queen and PM Tony Blair were both there. OMG! I sat there and cried my eyes out watching that. It was so touching💕💕💕

[@jamestripp239]

Thanks for you Brits standing with us

[@sallypursell1284]

I was 50 years old, and home alone during school, since I worked Night Shift. My brother called from New York City to tell me that he was okay. I didn't know why, and he told me to turn on the TV. I stood in front of it much of the afternoon. I felt so stunned, and grieved for so many people and their survivors. I am a nurse, and I wished I had been in New York. I would have certainly gone to help.

[@mimomof2]

I remember watching his performance of this song on the CMA's for the first time. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.

[@shelleytorok1406]

The silence as he performed and the reaction when he finished.... no words

[@juanitamansfield2428]

I worked for a Dr's exchange emergency service

[@stparisian]

America loves you, ya know. 🥰🇺🇸😘

[@kellyanneshereck1421]

I can only thank you for sharing this video. I will never forget.

[@kathrynhink7379]

Every day we should be kind to each other, even when those around us are not. It is hard, but it is a tool to diffuse those on the edge. The world is a different place.

[@Justaperson354]

My neighbor worked at the trade center and he never missed a single day of work but his wife went into labor at 2am on September 11th. He missed work for the birth of his daughter. I met him many years after the attack, but that story always sat with me. His daughter saved his life by deciding to be born two weeks early than planned. I still remember watching the news with bated breath. My father dropped his coffee mug and the sound of the mug shattering while my mother gasped rings just as fresh as it did the day it happened. If one thing I love the most about Americans is how patriotic and supportive they are in times of crisis.

[@Freyaislove]

I cry every time I hear this song..I can feel every feeling I had that day.. working in the school system and trying to get the kids home..

[@judydechant9205]

I am an American and I truly appreciate you doing this reaction video for us. I was in Virginia at that time taking a college course. Our instructors dad was expected to pass away and she was going to head to Texas after her her last class, sadly he passed away that day. The head of the school came in to let her know to call her family in Texas while we sat in class waiting. An hour later the head of the school came in and told us that the WTC had been attacked. She released all of us to go to our cars for another hour ( where all of us logged into our radios and many tried calling their families in New York ). After we returned to class, the school sent us all home. After I got home I could see the news on the TV of all that transpired that day. It was a very somber day. Thank you again from the USA 🇺🇸

[@Dawma2010]

I had gotten out of the hospital the day before I woke up to it and was glued to the TV all day

[@joyceshook8612]

Alan Jackson is the best, all his doings are number one to me! I have his songs from the beginning He’s number one to me!!

[@Changeiscoming47]

We Americans did the exact same thing you’ve described. We were so shocked and in disbelief that it wasn’t registering at first. I was a senior in college. Never, ever in my lifetime to that day could I have imagined anything like it. We all remember the entire day. Every minute. Bless you for caring so many years later ❤️

[@Haziesmom2023]

Thank You for these Stories, everyone. What a Day. All we could do is watch on tv and pray......... all we could do :( Yes, so many heroes....

[@toodlescae]

Another good one on this subject is Have You Forgotten? By Darryl Worley.

[@cathybrown8334]

I got to see Darryl Worley in concert, everyone was crying while he played that song. Darryl has never gotten the success he deserves.

[@suescully2061]

I will try to find it and have a listen xx

[@christianlequoix7473]

@@cathybrown8334 He sang it on his USO tour.... We didn't forget.

[@larynanntapp6333]

Thank you for not stopping this video. It was obvious that you were struggling while listening to it and that tells me what kind of man you are. Please take care of yourself. Regards from Kentucky.

[@janethoffman4197]

We will never forget. Thanks to our friends around the world who rallied around us. This song brings a tear yet every time I hear it. Thanks for reacting to this!❤️🇺🇸❤️

[@kenfreeman5940]

We will never forget. However our elected officials have already forgotten. The words say one thing but their actions say another.

[@elizabethannedavis5176]

This.

[@heatherlaforest232]

Thanks for reacting to this. I noticed throughout the song that you were reliving what you saw on the news that day, I could see the pain & heartache from all the innocent people/children that we lost. I was living in Florida when it came on the news & I just couldn't believe it. When the news showed people jumping out of the windows of the twin towers, I picked up my daughter (who would've been 4 mths old on the 14th). I held her rocking back & forth crying for everyone that died then called my mother in Massachusetts just to make sure she was ok as we cried together.

[@janisoconnor6881]

Thankyou for sharing and Thankyou for caring.

[@lynncollins5049]

Thank you for your service.

[@jeffstevens156]

I was in surgery having rods put in my hand wrist and arm from a car wreck. BUT I was signed up to drive a load of medical supplies from Texas to New York before the fog of anesthesia had gone. I was hurt, crying and thoroughly pissed off!

[@oougahersharr]

I was late for work that day. I live in Vermont (the state to the left of New York in the USA, but I lived at the top of the state and NYC is at the bottom of NY state). I worked in IT in a very large government office at the time. I was running late so didn't turn on a radio or the TV or anything, just got up, dressed, and drove to work, no radio. I checked in at the desk and the guard said nothing. I went through the next security check, into the IT department, and there was NO ONE around. I figured someone must be in the back server room, so I checked through that security and went in. EVERYONE was back there, glued to the 57 inch TV we have to help magnify computer components for repair work. I thought that they were watching some sports event I forgot about and that they'd be in trouble if they didn't stop. I walked over to say something to one of them and as soon as I reached the group, the Pentagon seemed to explode on the scree. I gasped and said, loudly, "my God, we're at war!" As a Vet, I was horrified that there would be war so soon (I'd served in 90-91 in Kuwait-Iraq). A girl in charge said "this was a bomb, maybe?" And someone else pointed out that something had happened to the twin towers, as well. I was in shock as the rest of the team suddenly filed out, as if they couldn't take any more, and went back to work. I was left watching the TV (my job was in that room, so I had sole access to that TV at all times unless someone signed in). I left it on and watched the first tower fall then the second, going out to report this to the others as it happened. Then I found out from the girl in charge that our secretary was at the World Trade Center for a seminar. We hadn't gotten word from her due to communications being down coming from NYC. Then someone else asked Lois, "wait, wasn't your daughter on a plane today?" I went back to the TV and came back to report the plane that went down in Pennsylvania and everyone was horrified, because Lois' daughter. Lois said, "if she'd dead, she died a hero. Get back to work!" We later found out that Lois' daughter was on a fifth plane that was stopped in the airport before taking off. And Joanna, our secretary, has been in Building 7. While she was coming out the door to evacuate, the group she was with was crossing a street and one lady stopped to take pictures. Joanna grabbed her and pulled her back onto the sidewalk to yell at her, separating the group in two. A fireball came roaring down the street between the group and Joanna and the lady she was yelling at. That fireball came when the second tower fell. Joanna and that lady had been saved by Joanna pulling her back and yelling at her. We were told by DC NOT to evacuate so they could keep track of where the employees were, but this was such a large government building, we were certain we were on the list to be hit, so the BIG BOSS evacuated everyone and let HQ yell at him if they wished. Driving home, I can remember it raining so hard I had to pull over because I couldn't see. However, a couple years ago, when talking to my Mom about that day, she told me "the skies were clear blue, no rain." I had been crying that hard I thought it was raining. We lost so many people that day, citizens, visitors, everyone. Not just Americans went down. And the entire world was effected. I will never forget standing in that server room, alone, watching as the news played out, singing to myself to try to keep calm because I KNEW we were at war, even if we hadn't gone to war yet.

[@josephking6251]

I was nine years old when it happened. I stood in shock, no clue why this happened; why someone would do that to so many souls. The impact is still affecting, it gave birth to me wanting to do something more when I grew up.

[@lisamorejon9943]

Alan Jackson did us proud. A very dark day in history.

[@judyjones1044]

Alan Jackson wrote and performed this live at the CMAs in October 2001. Your heartfelt reaction and story touched me. I live in Washington State. My father in law called and told us to turn on the TV. My 21 year old nephew was in NYC at Rockefeller Center when the planes hit the towers. Longest 4 hours of our lives before we heard he was safe.

[@kellie6048]

I was in 9th grade in my 9am class. The intercom came on and told all the classes to turn on the news. One of the planes had just hit. Teachers were quickly moving from classroom to classroom talking to each other. And I just remember that afterwards the silence and quietness set in. As a bunch of 14-15 year olds from a no where town we didn't understand the gravity and reality of it. None of us had ever even been to New York, some had never even seen a big city. But the fear and silence in the teachers as they watched the TV was deafening. When the second plane hit the intercom came on and told the teachers to turn off the TV's. My teacher did, she sat silent for a moment or two and then tried to tell us what happened and the impact it was. She struggled with it, her voice was shaky. The whole day the intercom would go off every 5 minutes with kids names called to be picked up from school. When I got home mom and dad sat me down and explained it all to me.

[@terryskidmore6739]

Every year on September 11th I listen to this song. We will never forget. Thank you for posting this. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@carmenelliott470]

I am from Canada and I remember waking up and seeing on the news what was happening. I went to school (grade 9, age 14) and the whole school got together and we all just sat silent. On September 11th, 2010 I had my beautiful daughter. It’s our day to celebrate her but I always remember those whose lives were lost that day. The greatest gift we have is love. It costs nothing to be kind. For anyone out there who needs to hear it; you are beautiful,you are worth it, and you are loved. 💜

[@Gary-h6f]

I just discovered your channel, and very glad I did, so I'm binging on your videos. On 9/11 I was in the US Air Force and assigned to the Pentagon however by office was in another building. My group was lucky we didn't lose anyone. I remember seeing shiny bits of confetti floating down outside our office windows that were parts of the plane. And I trying to contact my folks back in Alabama to let them know that I was okay. When I finally got through to my mother she was in tears because she had thought I had died. This is the first time I've seen this video and the first time in years I've heard the song. It just back a bunch of memories.

[@jenniferfogle991]

Every single time I hear this song, I cry. It's a beautiful song.

[@sandrabeard6146]

I was a patient in the hospital when a nurse came in quickly turned the news on . I watched as the second tower came down . I'll never forget it . The tears I cried ! The disbelief ! How tragic for so many . The young people today think it could never happen. Well we were those young people then . UNITED WE STAND .

[@tippytoe1250]

I was driving to jury duty in LA. I heard it on the radio and didn’t believe it was true. Got to court and they directed us to all leave. I cried for all the people who lost their lives and their families for days.My husband has an uncle who worked in the second tower. He wasn’t in the office that day. But today he works the new freedom towner next to the memorial site. In 2019 we took our kids to see the memorial. Their great uncle got them little badges to scan into the freedom tower for the 360 view.

[@henryfreimuth9359]

First of all thank you for your service to your Country Powerful song. I was in the military, just joined less than a year prior. Recently had graduated from my initial school after after basic training. That particular morning I was on “base escort duty” meaning I sat around till some servicemen needed a ride typically to report the base I was stationed at. I received a call to pick up someone from bootcamp at the airport and escort them to base (about an hours drive). During the drive I was listening to the radio and the DJ’s interrupted the songs saying “just in!” “The World Trade Center in New York was struck by an airplane and responders are evaluating the scene, no one knows what or why it happened, potentially some of the plane’s equipment malfunctioned.” Didn’t think much of it and turned down the radio. I picked up the new guy from the airport, and as we started driving back i saw dozens of emergency vehicles. Fire Engines, Ambulance, Law Enforcement flying by me ( I was stationed in Virginia at the time btw). I turned the radio back on and they said “another tower was hit by another plane, and they are treating the scene as potentially intentional or terrorism” Once hearing that I increased my speed to get back to base as I approached the base the was traffic entering the base at least 1/2 mile long jammed up. But there was a Military Policeman in empty lane rushing government vehicles through the jam so as to get to the base much quicker. As I approached the gate the Marine MP immediately said “Identification, Alpha Personal only beyond the gate, report to your unit immediately!” We flew into the base hoping out all kinds of busy chaos happening. I reported to the Duty Officer and he told me go to the barracks get your gear, we are deploying in less than 30 minutes!” Within 2 hours of the second trade center being hit, we were flown by helicopter to New York for “Operation Noble Eagle”. Smoke and dust covered most the city proper. It was mayhem for civilian emergency personal, responding as far away as Pennsylvania, to best of my knowledge. After the towers fell, we stayed on site for 1 week helping and assisting making sure so no other threats were happening in the area. After that week I was immediately sent on a Naval Ship bound for Iraq where I spent the next 7 months. Everything about my newly accepted military career had changed at that point, as did the military itself. As the military prior that day of the attack was in peace mode for almost a decade, and in a flash it was go time. It continued to be “go-time” with numerous deployments for me over the next 9 years i spent in service rotating to the middle-east back to home back and forth. Until I decided to leave the service after 3 deployments in 9 years. I was tired of “getting lucky” to keep making it home, and felt my duty had been fulfilled. I was tired and ready ready to move on

[@orangecrush5862]

My wife and myself were in a depressed daze for a week! Still haunts me to this day as it happened yesterday! 🇺🇸

[@ernaanspach473]

The whole world needs to hear these words TODAY!

[@tndeer1950]

Obviously, being American, this song has always been special and struck a chord with me. But, your reaction has touched me and was very much appreciated. I wish I could meet you in person to talk about country music because I have enjoyed your channel very much. Keep up the good work my British country music friend. Michael in Tennessee

[@NarnianRailway]

Was living in North Pole Alaska, stopped at friend's for early morning coffee and saw the NYC footage on tv (just before 6am in AK). Headed into my construction job on Eielson AFB and the gates locked down shortly after. Internet was overwhelmed so hard to get news. Most the morning sat in my car waiting permission to leave the base listening to radio news. Week before we turned over a new aircraft fueling system to the Air Force. The engineers we worked with were stranded on Guam on another job they had. Fairbanks Alaska area has FAI, Fort Wainwright and Eielson AFB airfields and over a dozen small grass airfields and few floatplane ponds. So used to aviation activity of all types all day, every day. But not a single plane in the air with all aviation grounded, Crisp blue sky not a cloud whatsoever and silence outside. Seemed even the birds stopped flying that day. It was eerily silent and no clear news updates. Visually appeared a beautiful Alaska day but so silent and unreal, bizarre, uncertainty so eerily heavy. ... but felt God's grace present in that blue sky.

[@andreaplummer3841]

I live near Houston...the energy center. A target rich environment. We were so scared. Rumors flying around about freeways shutting down because of the refineries and chemical plants near by. Telling people to fill their gas tanks because pumps would be shut down and we might have to evacuate. We spent the day much like you did...watching the news in shock, scared and trying to make sense of it all. I was in high school when Timothy McVeigh blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City. We thought that was our JFK, our Pearl Harbor. Little did we know...

[@stephaniewright340]

Allen Jackson wrote that song in 30 min... that's amazing... so heartfelt...when he first sang that song it was at an award show there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd...it was his first time singing it...

[@gramalinda750]

I stopped by to ask you to react to Tony Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” but I see I’m late. Love your channel! ❤️

[@shayacre5844]

Definitely listen to this one!

[@HeatherHolt1313]

Toby Keith

[@aletmartins6940]

Toby, not Tony

[@bentonthrasher1194]

I remember specifically... I was in my middle school home room which was also my first period algebra classroom. We had just been handed our prework which is basically the warmup for the day to lead into the days lesson. We were (mostly) all heads down, working on the assignment when I heard the door open and another teacher come in; this wasn't terribly odd, due to the configuration of the school and our classes all the teachers kind of shared the same grade students so there was a lot of keeping up between them. But I'll never forget what she said, which I didn't realize the significance of it at the time, "they hit us." My maths teacher answered, "huh?" -- "They hit us, an explosion or something, in New York, look at channel 4." A few moments later my teacher turned on the news station and I think it was just a few minutes before the second plane hit. The black smoke billowing from the first building, the chaos on the streets, no one knowing exactly what was going on. We soon realized it wasn't a simple explosion but a plane had hit the tower. At first there was speculation that it was a small passenger plane, but then reports came in that it was a large jetliner but people still kind of refused to believe iit. And then.... The second plane hit the second tower and life changed forever. I remember the instantaneous change in the reporters and the anchors tones, the way my teachers voice changed. I remember specifically each bell rang at the end of the hour for us to go to our next classroom, but we were told to stay. I remember around lunch time nothing had been prepared so we were served sack lunches with sandwiches, chips and juice. I remember we finally ended up changing classrooms around 1PM or so, only to be notified that we would be ending the day early and the busses would be running and parents had been notified. I remember when I got home my mother and my older sisters crying, my father glaring at the TV lost for words. I remember feeling lost, being 12 or so years old I didn't understand exactly what was going on, only that it was terrible. I remember seeing people jumping to their deaths from high up the tower. I remember seeing people covered in white dust walking and running away from the collapsed towers. I remember seeing the wreckage, the recovery and the aftermath. I remember seeing ground zero for weeks and months afterwards, wondering if it would ever look different, if it would ever look normal; or if it would be a scar forever, a reminder of that horrific day. It does something to a person, even if they aren't directly connected to an event like that, simply to experience it. I remember one of my good friends in school Mohammad started having bullies harass him simply due to his name; he wasn't even from the middle east but from Bosnia. I remember the sadness, the fear, the hate... But I also remember the strength, the will, the courage. We had a dark period in America after that. But we rose from the ashes as we have done before. And now, in current day, we lose ourselves in political conversations or disagreements about certain hot topic issues. We forget the fact that above all, we are all Americans and we share this great experiment that is the USA. I hope and I wish that we do not lose ourselves in these things for long, that we learn to listen and learn and conversate and debate and take the time to understand each other. Because we've been through much, much worse than what we currently must deal with, regardless of how bad some of it may be.

[@elliceserpico711]

Very well said.

[@cherylmacvane8791]

You are a good, remarkable young person, with sense, compassion, wisdom and love. Please don't change. I'm proud of you.

[@ChicagoDB]

You can never go wrong with Alan Jackson…at least 30 massive hits. A fine and talented man!

[@mississippishell240]

God Bless Us All🇺🇸Thank You

[@shelleytorok1406]

He performed it live at an awards show less than 2 months after the event It had not been released, so had never been heard and there wasn't a sound during the performance but the reaction when he finished... Wow CMA 2001 check it out

[@marshaeberhart9697]

So I'm a year late but after watching your reaction, I was so touched that I wanted to just add my memories. On 9/11, I was asleep in bed. I was 21 and had worked a double shift the night before. I must have gotten home around 3am so I just crashed. I remember my dad running into my room and telling me that I needed to get up. He said something terrible had happened and history was being made. And I'll always regret that I told him that if history was being made, I'd hear about it later and I just went back to sleep. I cried for days when I finally found out. My godmother was a flight attendant for US airways, but I was so traumatized, I thought it was United Airlines. I spent hours trying to call her daughter and find out if she was safe. She had been in the towers the DAY BEFORE having lunch. Praise God, she was safe. 911 opened my eyes and forced me to see the real world for the first time. 22 years later and I can still clearly remember the actual words my dad and I said. Not even just that I was tired but the actual words. They'll be burned into my memory for the rest of my life. Anyway, that's my story. Thanks so much for your beautiful reaction.

[@davidmartin1949]

Mr Jackson is a gifted musician and a great song writer and he is an individual that the world has been very lucky to have .

[@chueysmama2622]

Thank you for your heart felt reaction. It was a terrible day. I was in my 30's back then, I happened to be with my Grandma and her sister. We were already watching the news, as they did every morning. I'll never forget the looks on their faces or that fear, pain and anger I felt well up in me. Horrible time, but we as Americans pulled TOGETHER and acted as ONE people in such a beautiful yet sorrowful way to do what we could as a UNITED country. I wish we still felt together as one.

[@louisetemples7011]

Thank you for your compassion and empathy! You have a wonderful caring heart and I respect and appreciate you very much! Thank you for reacting to this amazing song!♥️

[@italianpoboy8874]

Nothing better than real raw emotions. 😪

[@kgrimes842]

I was 16. No school that day. My mom made me turn the news and i turned it on just in time to watch as united 175 hit the south tower. That's when i knew we were going to war 😢😪 btw your reaction has me in tears. I felt your feelings

[@themeg1540]

I was 15 when it happened and in a small school in Michigan. Watched it happen on a TV in the class. Our school had televisions in every class and even the cafeteria. We just watched all day long in every class. It was so quiet all day. Even when there were a few hundred of us in the cafeteria for lunch, no one said anything. Usually, it was so loud you barely could hear the people next to you talking. That is the thing that I remember the most - just scared silence.