9-11 *We Remember*: Needles, CA: 10 years ago today, terrorist attacked New York, NY, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, PA on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 killing many of our friends and families that tragic day.

Freelance Photojournalist Zachary A. Lopez of ZachNews talks about where he was and what he was doing at that moment when America was attacked by evil.
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Where I Was on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001:
By Freelance Photojournalist Zachary A. Lopez - Dated: Sunday, September 11th, 2011


"I was 16 years old and living in Lake Balboa, California with my adopted family. I got up early that morning to turn on the local news in Los Angeles like I always did every morning."

"I turned the television on to find the news station covering what I thought was a high-rise fire in Downtown Los Angeles. But I found out that this was a fire in New York City, New York."

"One of the World Trade Center's Towers was on fire. I began to wake up my adopted mother to show them what was happening. It was around 6am PT when everybody in the house began to watch the newscast."

"As we all in my family watched one of the World Trade Center's Towers on fire, I saw a plane flying by. I watched that plane go behind the World Trade Center's Towers than the plane turned. What I saw next was something I wish I never had to see."

"The plane I just watched flew behind the World Trade Center's Towers crashed right into the World Trade Center's South Tower. The words, "O My God No!!!" screamed all around the room. I just seen a plane loaded with people crash right into the World Trade Center.”

“I remember running out the door scream out loud in our apartment building, “Turn On The News… America Is Under Attack!!!!”. I ran back inside the apartment and many of my family members crying.”

“The attack on our country went on and I wasn’t feeling good. I remember seeing the news crews filming people jumping to their deaths and I began to think about what was those people feeling knowing that they were falling down to the ground below and there was nobody there to save them. I started praying for those people who were still up inside the towers will make it out alive and be safe on the ground. But what was to come next would haunt me forever.”

“I saw the two tallest buildings in New York City named the World Trade Center fall down to the ground; one tower at a time. When I saw the first tower fall, I fell to the ground. A couldn’t believe what I just witness and the world had witness too. I heard after the South Tower of the World Trade Center fell down to the ground, I heard dead silence than crying began to unfold in the apartment. When the North Tower of the World Trade Center fell down, I lost it. The many that were unable to get out, the firefighters who were going up the burning tower to save lives, people of all race and backgrounds died in seconds. I had nightmares for days thinking about what it must have been like as the towers fell and what do you say to yourself as the towers fell to the ground. I asked out loud, “Why?”

“Days after that tragic day, I decided to planned a candlelight vigil to remember all who dead on September 11th. I remember planning the candlelight vigil at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Balboa Boulevard. What I forgot to say is what side of the street the candlelight vigil was going to be held at. What happen was something that I wish I seen more; 500 people with candles, flowers, American Flags, pictures of loved ones, and sings saying, “United We Stand Together” showed up to the vigil. Los Angeles City Fire and Police Department cars and trucks drove by honking their horns and the crowd waved at Police and Firefighters. The U.S. National Guard also drove by as the crowd chanted and sang, “U-S-A!” and “We’ll Get Them!”. I had brought my neighborhood together in a time when evil was trying to break us apart. America was standing together to help each other and ready to get those who attacked us.”


“Ten years later, I hope you all take the time to remember all who died that tragic day and all who came to help save lives. May we never forget those who died at the World Trade Center in New York City, NY, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and in Shanksville, PA where 40 passengers and crew members on Flight 93 fought back against evil and saved many more lives by risking their own lives. May we never forget those heroes of Flight 93.”

“Thank You to everybody from FDNY Firefighters and NYPD Police Officers, to the next door neighbor who ran out to the nearest American Red Cross Blood Bank and donated blood to save people’s lives. Thank You to all the men and women in uniform who are all out there protecting our beautiful country and fighting for our Freedoms.

“Everybody who came to helped, Donated, Volunteered, and wanted to save lives deserves a big Thank You.”

“This September 11th, Volunteer In Your Community. Help out your community by working together with your community and united together as a community.”


“We as Americans may forget at times that we all lost someone or something on that tragic day; from a friend you always loved hanging out with, to the view looking up at the World Trade Center. Remember that we may all have different views and beliefs, but we are all still people and still humans.”

“We Stand United Together As People and Not Be Divide By What Evil Did On September 11th, 2001.”
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