During a discussion about her memories of September 11, 2001, Pat Harvey of CBS LA News expressed profound emotions. “I’m actually shaking a little bit right now,” she confessed. The national atmosphere this month recalls the tragic events of that day for Harvey and fellow journalists.

Emotional Accounts from September 11

Harvey was reminded of that day after a phone call from her husband, informing her about the planes that struck the World Trade Center. Like others, she felt emotional as the nation marked the 25th anniversary. Colleen Williams of NBC4 and Steve Edwards, former Fox 11 anchor, also shared their reflections.

Williams described the scene at the newsroom as surreal. “Everyone at the station had the same face — a shocked face, almost hollow,” she said. Edwards, who now co-hosts a podcast, recalled feeling the gravity of the situation. “There’s really no comparison to prior events,” he noted.

Harvey’s Experience

Harvey remembered receiving a call from her husband early that morning. “He called to say, ‘Oh, my God, you should turn on the television,'” she said. At that point, the first tower was already hit. This event felt personal for Harvey, who had seen other global crises early in her career.

“To see people jumping from those buildings, to see the flames …”

Her husband reassured her that the West Coast was safe and urged calm. Harvey had responsibilities at home with family, including a daughter and a sister with special needs. She recalled the challenge of maintaining normalcy on a day that was anything but ordinary.

Upon arriving at the newsroom, Harvey found a supportive environment. “It was all abuzz. Phones and printers were going off. We were busy, but there was also camaraderie,” she recounted. Her first newscast was marked by sobriety and respect for those affected.

Williams: The Significance of Reporting

Colleen Williams also received a call from her husband that morning. As a pilot, he informed her about the situation. Initially, reports assumed a small plane accident, but reality soon hit when news of a commercial aircraft emerged.

Williams was particularly worried about her brother, another commercial pilot, whose whereabouts were uncertain. Eventually, contact with her brother brought relief. Williams, maintaining composure, realized the importance of her duty to inform the public.

Edwards: Handling Chaos

Steve Edwards recalls starting his day with a call about a plane crash into the World Trade Center, unaware of the full scale. Upon arriving at the studio, the newsroom was charged with urgency and determination.

He and his colleagues were deeply affected by the live images of the collapsing towers. As a native New Yorker, Edwards felt a personal connection to the unfolding tragedy. Despite the chaos, their focus remained on providing accurate, calm coverage.

The anniversary prompts Edwards to reflect on the unity and division that followed. “The country was pretty polarized back then,” he said, noting the temporary unity wasn’t enduring.