The events of Sept. 11, 2001 mark a moment in American history that typically draws the question, “Where were you?”

The Butler Eagle asked that very question on social media, and numerous Butler County residents provided their answers.

“I was working in a veterinary clinic, and we were doing the morning surgeries when it came over the television,” said Heather DiPietro, a registered nurse from Harmony.

Kristen McConville, of Sarver, who was living in California at the time, was originally scheduled to fly to Pennsylvania that day, as she was serving as bridesmaid for a friend’s wedding. She rescheduled to fly out two days earlier because she required alterations for her bridesmaid dress.

“We were at my parents’ cabin in Elk County and we woke up to see the news. I remember seeing the second plane hit,” McConville said. “The wedding went on as planned on Sept. 15, but we decided to take a week and drive home and see the U.S.”

Chrissy Eaton, of Zelienople, was on vacation in Orlando, Fla. that day with her husband, two children and extended family. They were scheduled to fly back home the following day. However, their return was delayed several days by the shutdown of national airspace, as well as Hurricane Gabrielle.

“Our daughter was with a cousin and her family in Disney (World) when everything happened and they shut the park down,” Eaton said. “Once the whole family was together again, we spent most of the time watching the news. It was terrifying that something like that could ever happen.”

Paige Miller, who was a second-grade student at the time, said the disaster interrupted her school day and caused her and the rest of her school to leave early.

“I just remember everyone getting called out for early dismissal, then my name was called,” Miller said. “A plane was flying low when I was picked up — I’m guessing it was landing — and my mom was freaking out and rushing to get home. I remember watching the news and being terrified of the people covered in dust. It’s the only day of second grade I remember vividly.”

Cindy Mayer of Cranberry Township was working at the now-defunct tech firm FORE Systems in nearby Marshall Township, Allegheny County.

“We were a high-tech company, but the internet was so overwhelmed we had to gather around a few different PCs to watch the footage on the news channels,” Mayer said. “It turns out that 9/11 was the same day that Krispy Kreme opened in Cranberry.

“One of our colleagues had stood in line and brought in boxes of doughnuts for everyone. He was wearing the Krispy Kreme white paper hat and handing out doughnuts as we watched the tragedy unfold. It was very surreal.”