Events and loss of 9/11 weigh on minds of many locals

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KTVU) -- 9/11 is a day of remembrance, but not all Americans were able to make it to a memorial or even watch the TV coverage. Still, we found the events of 14 years ago are still very much on the minds of everyone.

Downtown Pleasanton has that small town America feel.

"Land of the free, you're in Pleasanton, California. You can't get a prettier Main Street than this," said Mike Jones, who has somewhat controversial feelings about this anniversary. He thinks in a way, it should be a day to forget.

"We didn't lose. You did some things and you hurt a corner of our society, and our world, but America goes on. And that's the beauty of the whole thing," said Jones. "So, I almost feel like it's a day we should forget."

Of course, forgetting is just not possible for most people.

"I probably spent an hour just looking at all the remembrances. And it just really touches your heart. Cause you can't forget what happened that day," said Patti Ambrose of Livermore.

Perhaps forgetting is not the point, and just continuing with our daily lives in spite of what happened is.

"Business as usual, just keep plugging away on this job," said Mark Messa at a construction site in a park along Hopyard Road. The crew was braving the heat to install a recycled water system.

Messa said his thoughts were drifting back to 2001.

"I know it's 14 years ago, it doesn't seem like it's been that long. But I guess that memory will always be in the back of your head," said Messa.

Also in the park, Safeway corporate headquarters was having a staff appreciation day. And even in the middle of all the fun, 9/11 was present.

"I'm glad that each year they're still remembering the victims and they haven't forgotten because that's something, I mean it was devastating to our country," said Bianca Bess of San Leandro.

Nancy Gilvin of Pleasanton said one thing has gotten worse in the 14 years since.

"The overall loss of that wonderful spirit and coming together that America had in the days after 9/11. We seem very divided and very angry at each other. Despite what happened on 9/11, that was a wonderful thing that we all came together so much then."

One man added that 9/11 was when this current generation lost its innocence.