Touched by Terror: Patch Remembers 9/11 in 911 Snapshots

Millions of people across the country were affected by the 9/11 attacks. Some experienced the tragic loss of a loved one, some found an inspiring way to help those who were grieving, and others experienced a political awakening. 

To help reflect the endless diversity of their experiences, Patch looked out across our sites to pull together 911 snapshots of everyday Americans whose lives were changed by the events of that day.

Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch Spoke to Cmd. Sgt. Major Tony Howard, who remembers being put on full tactical alert in Downtown Los Angeles on the day of the attacks.

The Highland Park resident and member of American Legion Post 206 was called to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri to serve as a Drill Instructor. 

The young men he trained would go off to fight in foreign wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It's going to be a difficult day for me," Howard said of Sept. 11’s impending 10th anniversary. "I knew a lot of men who died on that day. I knew some who would go on to die because of that day."

In the above photo, Howard salutes the flag at Post 206--a place that brings him comfort. "The brotherhood of the legion, my family and my church will get me through."

From across the country, this Patch site and hundreds of others captured the faces, keepsakes, memorials, ceremonies, flags, fund-raisers, deployments and the still-raw emotions that followed the attacks.

Taken together they create a powerful mosaic that is large in scope but often deeply personal. Click through to see how your neighbors near and far marked the day.

Click here to see Patch's 911 photos in tribute of Sept. 11, 2001.