11 Years Later, New York And D.C. Radio And Listeners Remember The Day Of The Attacks

Ground Zero Memorial

Today marks the 11-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the UNITED STATES.

Most radio in NEW YORK took note of the event by letting the listeners share their memories of that dark day.

CCM+E Top 40 WHTZ (Z100)/NEW YORK PD SHARON DASTUR shared with ALL ACCESS, "Every year when the anniversary comes around, it's about being respectful but also keeping it upbeat. ELVIS DURAN & THE Z100 MORNING SHOW all shared their experiences from that day 11 years ago, and then took a lot of callers talking about how radio and Z100 helped them get through that day and the day after. We broke for a moment of silence at 8:46a, which was followed by the unplugged version of "Empire State of Mind" that ALICIA KEYS recorded downstairs in our iHEARTRADIO Theater."

"We've also been asking listeners to join the 9/11 Day Movement," added DASTUR, "and go to 911day.org to pledge to do a good deed for someone today."

ELVIS DURAN added, "We took calls, people sharing about what they experienced 11 years ago and the days following … and how listening to Z100 became part of the story. Our listeners needed us then, as they need us now … reminding us that we offer that important human connection that can only be experienced through radio."

CCM+E Classic Rock WAXQ (Q 104.3)/NEW YORK PD ERIC WELLMAN shared, "We've always played the role of friend/therapist to the audience here in NEW YORK. We strive to give the audience somewhat of a refuge from the depressing reality of the day and an outlet for those who need one. We shared listener memories, personal stories from JIM KERR and SHELLI SONSTEIN. We had JOHN FEAL on the air. He runs the FEALGOOD FOUNDATION, instrumental in getting the ZADROGA Bill passed to help First Responders fighting medical issues relate to their work on the site that day and in the months after. We also played plenty of music including selections from the Concert for NYC which we will continue to do throughout the day. Finally, we observed a minute of silence at 8:46 and 9:03."

"It is definitely a bit lower key of a day than in the past and certainly last year with the opening of the memorial," added WELLMAN. "But everyone still seems to feel it here in NEW YORK and so do we."

EMMIS VP/Programming and HOT 97 PD EBRO DARDEN shared with ALL ACCESS, "Each shift made sure to recognize lost loved ones. CIPH & ROSENBERG's morning show asked, 'On such a horrible day in history, has anyone had anything positive happen for them since SEPTEMBER 11, 2001?' They got lots of light hearted and fun calls. CIPH & ROSENBERG wanted to remember SEPTEMBER 11th, but help people find some positivity on this day."

Additionally, "HOT 97 News Updates with MISS INFO recognized lost loved ones and HOT 97.COM had a section of the site recognizing and remembering those lost on this day," said DARDEN.

The attacks also hit home in the Nation's Capital.

CUMULUS News/-Talk WMAL-A/WASHINGTON, D.C. PD BILL HESS told ALL ACCESS, "In addition to WMAL News coverage of the PENTAGON Memorial Ceremony, our morning show featured discussions taking stock of where the nation is now (in terms of security and position in the world) 11 years after the attacks. Our guests included former U.N. Ambassador JOHN BOLTON and Dr. WALID PHARES. We were also joined by ANDREW ANMERMAN, Sr. Adviser at THE PENTAGON Memorial."

"Our news coverage focused on LOCAL remembrances, including reports from the local county which lost the most residents in the PENTAGON attacks," added HESS. "The WMAL website featured a comprehensive look back at the events of 9/11/01, including photo galleries, stories, and audio segments of WMAL’s coverage of the attacks."

HUBBARD BROADCASTING News WTOP/WASHINGTON, D.C. PD LAURIE CANTILLO shared, "Here's a rundown of what we're doing on WTOP today:

• Moments of silence at 8:46a, 9:37a, 10:03a
• Reporter NEAL AUGENSTEIN live from THE PENTAGON
• Reporter ANDREW MOLLENBECK with the ringing of the carillon bells at the GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Campus
• On the Hill: CAPITOL HILL Correspondent DAVE MCCONNELL with bipartisan members of Congress singing 'God Bless America' at 11a, the same site where members of Congress sang on SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
• Reporter KATE RYAN with how local schools are teaching kids about 9/11
• WTOP's Morning News Anchors MIKE MOSS and BRUCE ALAN did a 'talk back,' asking listeners to call and send messages on FACEBOOK about how 9/11 changed their day-to-day lives and whether they feel safer or less safe today
• WTOP National Security Correspondent JJ GREEN has produced a special 10-part series 'The Situation' on evolving security threats in our world
• WTOP.COM has a special slide show, '11 Years After SEPTEMBER 11,' that's the highest trending item on our site.

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