244 20 70359 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I was a freshman in college. In the morning I had choir rehearsal and we were supposed to sing in chapel that morning after rehearsal. We headed over to the chapel and we could hear people talking about a plane crash. Nobody really knew and we didn't really think it was as huge as it was. In chapel the president of our university came up and told everyone what had happened. He cancelled classes for the rest of the day and they had the news playing on the large screen all day in the auditorium. People just kind of stopped their everyday normal life and were glued to the news. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story11534.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2005-06-19 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.118.133.124 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: It was quite eiree. On September 10, I had bought a card game involving time travel. The next morning, I was playing the solotaire version, changing the outcome of many important historical events such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Cuban missile crisis, and the assassination of JFK, when my roommate came home from work and told me that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center. We turned on the news and watched the reports on the crash thinking, "It must've been some kind of malfunction." When we saw the second airplane hit, it became all too clear. This was not an accident. An attack on the US even more shocking and devastating than the bombing of Pearl Harbor had just unfolded before our eyes. From now on, people would remember not just where they were when Kennedy was assassinated (except for those of us who had not been born yet), but also where they were when terrorism hit America. I'm sure that even in the year 2051 I'll still remember the image on the television of the second plane banking left in order to slam into a major US building full of American citizens. The only thing that kept me from falling apart completely in the following weeks was seeing the citizens of New York and D.C., people who would normally not even say "hi" to anyone they see out on the street, jumping in to help in the rescue efforts for people they've never met before. It felt so good to see people performing acts of help and kindness to combat acts of harm and hatred. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story2197.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 12.83.66.94 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: It was nearing 9 a.m. and I was waiting for my cubicle-mates to arrive. A few of us had already exchanged morning greetings. I was sitting at my desk when I heard a loud "BOOM". A giant fireball flared up outside our windows on the 97th floor, facing Tower 1. I stood up and couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't even have a chance to react. Someone yelled "It's a bomb!?, others yelled "It's a plane!". I just stood there wide-eyed and terror-stricken. Then the heat came toward us like a wave. It was immediate and tremendous. I grabbed my bags and started to evacuate, even though there were no alarms. I wandered into the hallway when someone yelled, "Take the Liberty Street stairs". I tried to think where there was another staircase, but realized I didn't have time to waste. By then, people were starting to appear and we all headed down the stairwell we were always instructed to use in case of emergencies. I saw one of my friends turn around to look for me as he headed down the stairs, but we were separated by the growing number of people. Survival was my only thought for the next 45 minutes. In order to move as fast as possible, I took off my heels on the 95th floor and carried them down. The door opened on the 90th floor and I stepped out of the stairwell for a moment. I saw my boss, another friend and a bunch of others trying to decide what to do. I was drawn back into the stairwell and continued my journey downward. On the 70th floor, an announcement was being made that our building was secure and we were to remain where we were. Some people continued down, but I exited the stairwell, once again. We were being instructed by a fire warden to stay put. Some people were talking about returning to their offices. I held my hand on the doorknob to the stairwell, and when the public address announcements ended, I opened the door and fled. I reached the 61st floor when there was a tremendous explosion. The building swayed back and forth. I can?t even describe the terror I felt as I was thrown into the wall. I screamed and screamed and screamed. A man grabbed me and held me until I calmed down. The lights flickered, there was white smoke everywhere and I saw that a large piece of concrete had fallen on the stairway landing. It took several seconds, but people came back to their senses. We all realized that we were not going to get out if we panicked. I tried to keep positive. One woman was praying, another singing. I resumed mydescent. I didn?t know if I had enough time to make it out of the building before it collapsed, because I knew it would collapse. It was inevitable. The building was vibrating and I ran faster and faster. I hiked my skirt up around my waist and pulled up my sleeves. It was getting hotter and I was scared. I didn?t want to die like this. My cell phone rang and I was actually mad because I didn?t have a second to waste trying to find it and answer it. I did though. It was my husband. I was on the 35th floor, but I couldn?t voice that detail. I told him I was leaving and said ?Goodbye?. I remember seeing two firefighters heading up and I wanted to tell them to turn around and save themselves. I reached the 20?s?the teens?the 3rd floor?I remember thinking that I still wasn?t safe, and now I would be at the bottom of the rubble when the building fell. I finally exited to the lobby and ran past the PATH train entrance. I looked into the eyes of a security guard I saw almost every day and said ?Thank-you?. They were directing us to exit. I was told to stop running, but couldn?t. When I got outside, it looked like a war zone, but I was grateful to see sunshine. I cried and I was shaking uncontrollably. I still didn?t feel safe. I needed to walk away as far as possible because I didn?t know how many city blocks would be taken out when the building fell. I wanted to live. I needed to live. I had to for my children. I met another colleague who made it out and we walked, trying to make cell phone calls once we were away from the building. (Closer to the building, we were told to turn our phones off because they were interfering with emergency communications.) I was still barefoot and didn?t even realize it. I put my shoes on when we were about 5 or 6 blocks away. We kept walking and made it to Canal Street (about a mile away) when people began to scream. We turned around and saw debris flying up in the air. It was twinkling in the sunshine. I thought they blew up another building. My colleague was screaming ?No, NO!? and I realized that was OUR building and we were just there. I shook and wept for all the trapped people and for myself. I couldn?t believe I had survived and as yet did not comprehend the enormity of this event. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story9348.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-06-16 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.39.39.135 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I was going to work at Abbott Laboratories, listening to the radio when I first heard of the "passenger aircraft that hit the World Trade Center" as the radio first announced it. I didn't think much of it as I thought, it may have been a small plane that hit the building, I went into work and was relaying the news to a co-worker who hadn't heard of it. As we listened to the radio the news became more clear, we started getting phone calls from friends and spouses, as I frantically tried to find a TV somewhere at work I listened and then started to watch the video feeds via the Internet news channel. All I could do was watch in horror as we watched the first tower on fire and listening to the news broadcasters relaying information. Then came word of the second plane hitting the second tower, all we could do was listen in horror as we came to realize what was actually happening. I frantically tried to call my girlfriend in Michigan to talk to her because I was an emotional wreck inside. As we all stood watching and listening to the news, I was numb, dumb founded as to why and who... In the coming hours and days as the who and why became known, I had such a rage within me, and like a lot of other folks in this country, I came to realize that we, America, are no more safer against terrorist acts as any other country that has had a terrorist act committed against them. I've always been patriotic, but like most all Americans, my patriotism came rushing out, I was angry I wanted revenge, I wanted retribution, but after listening to President Bush and realizing that it wouldn?t come quick I figured I?d do what I can. I donated blood, gave to charity for the victims, and prayed for the lost souls that never deserved to have this happen to them. I display my American flag up on my living room window, and I swore that it wouldn?t be put away as my show of American faith for all to see, to show any would be terrorist that we will never cave in, that the American people will never be bought to our knees as they so much wanted to do on that fateful day. Almost a year later I still get emotional when I think about what happened, it has had such a profound effect on my life and the way I see things. I wish I could do so much more than the tiny bit I feel I?ve done. I, in no way can realize what the families of these people must go through day in and day out, but I hope that life for them gets a bit easier as the days go by, my heart and prayers go out to them, they loved ones are the true heroes of America, and till the day I leave this earth I will never forget??? God Bless them and all of America Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story1236.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-19 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.234.125.89 Annotation Annotations to this item. Flags Patriotism Politics and politicians Terrorism U.S. retribution DOMESTIC Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: My husband always calls me at a certain time each day, just to tell me hello and that he loves me. On September 11th, 2001 he called earlier. Said he just put on the TV set and saw that a plane had hit one of the towers... thought it was just an accident. While we were talking the second plane hit the other tower. I did not have a TV on at work, but the sound of his voice will always haunt me... The employees I work with then found our TV and hooked it up and just watched for hours and hours the horrow of 9/11. I will never forget that day. Even today, I cry when I see them call out the names of their love ones. I will always cry this day.. it is the sadest day of my life. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story20541.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2006-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.100.70 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: When I first learned of the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon I was in my 3rd period English class. My initial reaction was shock. When the assistant principal came on the intercom and announced what had happened I told myself ?this isn?t real?. ?How could something like this happen?? Everyone in the class was blow away. After the announcement there were a few moments of silence because we all still needed time to absorb what we had just heard. Throughout the day the halls were full of emotion. People were angry, sad, and stunned. As the day progressed and I saw image after image of the blazing buildings I went from shocked to sadden and then to angry. To this day it still seems unbelievable that something like that happened here. I see the aftermath unfolding on the television everyday and I wonder if it will happen again, if it will be worse the second time around, will we get the horrible master minds behind these acts and something like 9/11 will never happen again. Whenever I go on a flight there is that lingering image in the corner of my mind of the plane flying into tower and I?m scared to think that that could happen to me. When you think about history you realize that this isn?t the first thing of its nature to happen. Before 9/11 there were the embassy bombings in Africa and the continuous bombing of England in World War 2. History is always repeating itself events like this have occurred sense the dawn of time and will continue to happen as long as there is always hate for someone else till the end of time. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story11016.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2004-09-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 151.188.16.21 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I was watching TV in our waiting area in our Family Practice Clinic with other co-workers, doctors, nurses, patients, admin personnel, clerks; we were all gasping at this horror in front of our eyes feeling so helpless, shocked, afraid, angry and very, very sad. I think we all felt about every emotion; we were all in tears, even the big guys! We did alot of hugging with each other and many of us called our loved ones to tell them we love them because we didn't know what else to do or if there would be any more time left for life. It was a tremendous, heart wrenching and eye opening experience and we'll never forget watching CNN that day and praying for all the people of the United States. God Bless America! Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story4400.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.26.118.37 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: My story is not that awe inspiring or dramatic but I wanted to include it here. Living most of my life on the west coast and not knowing many people from New York or Washington, it didn't hit me for quite a while on that day. When I heard about the first tower being hit I had just gotten out of the shower and was shaving. It really didn't seem real at the time until I heard on the radio that the second tower was hit. I went out to watch it on TV and woke up my wife and son. While sitting there I started to feel like the morning that President Kennedy was shot. We first just heard reports but it wasn't until we saw more reports on TV and then finally from Parkland Hospital that it finally hit us that JFK was dead. The same with 09/11. The remainder of the day was a blur, trying to work and listen to reports and cathcing a few, occasional glimpses of the TV. Since many of the architects in our office travel as well as our client, we were nervous about those people who were out of town. It wasn't until later that we heard that all of our staff and those of our client were safe did we relax a little. It also made us feel much better to know that our client, Costco, loaded up trucks with food and water from their Sterling, Virginia warehouses and took it to the Pentagon to help those working there to fight the fires and search for survivors. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story5493.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 67.26.89.218 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: i had left 1st period that day to go to my orthodontist appointment. when i got back and went to the office to sign in what i saw on the television was horrible. the first plane had just crashed into the world trade center. i signed in and went to my 2nd period english class and told ms. ewens to turn on the tv. she did and a few minutes later the second plane crashedd into the second tower. everyone was worrried from then on out. noone knew what was going to happen and if life was goin to change. after september 11 i saw the most patriotism in the United States i had ever seen. everwhere i looked i saw and American flagt waving in the wind. it was amazing how much people cared for their country and the sacrifices they were willing to make to ensure their freedom and security. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story7037.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 207.193.126.63 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I am a member of the United States Air Force. I woke up that morning and it felt the same as any morning. I did not get a chance to watch the news so I caught it on the way to work on the radio. I remember trying to determine if the news commentator was speaking of events on American soil or was it somewhere else. In the midst of my confusion I heard mention of the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and another aicraft off its course. I listened in shock and unbelief. Who dare attack our mainland? How did this happen and who let it happen? My heart cried out to God some how I knew He was giving us as a country a wake up call. Were we really a united country? Do we really trust in God as we say we do on the money? Was our country focused on our good deeds more than our heart and soul as a nation? All of these thoughts raced through my head. I had finally reached work (McChord AFB)and everyone was either war-ready in despair or in shock. We had already begun to gear up for world wide support and from that day on for the next month I was working 12 hour shifts. All eyes were fixed on the television that day at work. Some of us wanted to blow some people up, some of us wanted all Muslims removed from our country and some just wanted the security of yesterday. As I watched the names, ages and occupations of those killed scroll across the television screen it became so much more personal. I was infuriated even more. But when my anger settled I was amazed at how united our country was and how we seemed to move as one unit in the same direction. Differences no longer mattered for a time and our fast pace slowed down to remorse over lost lives. We all cherished the lost lives of the brethren we never even knew. As a nation we hurt, cried, angered, feared, and gathered as one. The American flag was waved and posted on every vehicle and home. Memebers of the Armed Forces were appreciated and honored. People were reminded why they pay taxes to support the military and even a discount on purchases was not asked for but freely granted. Today I write this on the anniversary of that dreaded day. The airman of McChord AFB just disassembled from a base wide retreat. It was a sight to see and something I will always remember. Even the anniversary of these terrible event brought us all together again for a short moment in time. God bless America forever and always. Here's a poem I wrote shortly following the event. It helped me cope and place all of my feelings in one place. 11 September 01 Numbness infiltrates the nations hearts Terrorism tore our souls apart An exploding tower tumbling down Lives in danger leaping from heights above, Flashing life?s thoughts of the ones they love. An airplane reserved as a casket closed With victims forced to yield their souls. Moments later additional despair Another flying casket diving from air Another exploding tower tumbling down. Manhattan massacre began this daylong nightmare Paralyzing our country, once, fast paced, now, motionless terror. Husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, Sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins, grandfathers, grandmothers, Best friends, best men, and matrons? of honor?lie lifeless, In an instant lives are changed forever. Breaking news, breaking homes and hearts. All differences aside fifty states united together, And in unison prayed to God our Father. Once politically correct, dare not offend, careful, speak not His name. However not caring to misuse it in vain Now to Him, we turn, careful not to offend, Our Alpha and Omega, our beginning, and our end. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story5015.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.26.125.13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I know my story is nothing special compared to those who lived in New York City. I just want to let everyone know how it touched my heart and my town. It made me realize how this country can come together. I have never once seen an entire school stand up and say the pledge like our school did the day of September 11. It made everyones little problems go away. We became one country and we wernt scared to show our pride anymore. The trend was to show your colors of Red White and Blue. People began to put flags up and show there support. You could really see barriers in our town began to break down. People began to walk by and wave to one another. You saw someone else w/ a flag on there car it gave you this warm feeling inside. I know its sad for something like this to happen for us to learn. This event made me wanna get invovled in the community it made me wanna get out there in help. So in the end of all this I want to thank all the heros of Sept. 11. Thanks for all yoru help and showing your love for your country. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story3662.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.188.6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: i watched in horror in my home that terrible day as thousands of innocent people lost their lives .i watched in horror as the first plane hit thinking i hope this is video then the second devastating plane crash was less than 10 minutes later from sept 11 on i got a great since of unity from our country it was sop beautiful to see that fabulous flag at every turn.and i hope we can still keeep it flying till the day comes we wil no longer live in fear of a terrorist threat GOD BLESS US ALL.... Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story1005.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 192.251.125.46 Annotation Annotations to this item. DOMESTIC Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I was on my way to work listening to WTOP an all news radio station when the breaking news reported a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. Within 10 minutes I had parked my car and grabbed a key to a room (I work in a hotel) so that I could watch the TV. For some reason, my inner voice said that this is something very important. I turned on the TV and the Today Show was on. I immediately called my daughter to tell her what I was seeing on the TV Screen - while we were talking the second plane hit and I just started screaming into the phone - we are under attack, oh my God! We hung up and I watched in horror for a few more minutes. I called my sister in law that works at the Pentagon and told her what I was seeing and for some reason started saying "Get Out - Pick up your purse and get out". We were to remark later that evening about what I had said. She asked me "How did you know" and I just said something inside of me wanted to warn you! I went back to the hotel lobby and tried to absorb the scenes I had seen on the TV and relate the info to my workmates. I think people thought I was crazy! It was much after that, while sitting at my desk, I heard a loud noise and felt the ground shake. I jumped up and ran with my room key to watch the TV again. News came quickly, it was the Pentagon that had been hit. I somehow got back to my office and started listening to the radio. But it was all too much - my mind and soul were suddenly overloaded with fear, terror and wonder at what was next. I shut my office door, turned off the radio and tried to calm my sould - it was too much for a human to take in. By 12:00noon my daughter and I had spoken several times. At 1pm my neice called me to say that she could not get her mom on the phone or her cell phone - she was shaky and scared and weeping. I had to choose my words very carefully, be positive, give her hope, say it was too early to expect to hear from her. She was safe somewhere. After all wasn't her office at the Pentagon in the new wing - structurally strong - we would hear soon! The hardest things that day, through the evening, on the hour throughout the night was to hear my neices voice, now sick with fear, sobbing with what we all would find out too soon to be true - the new wing, the lovely smile, the 17 years in the same office working for Navy OPS, gone in an instant. A soul taken with so many others, senseless. On Sepember 11, 2001 a new life started for me and my family - a beloved member was gone and we will never be the same. My soul weeps for the death and destruction that I witnessed - my 58 years had not prepared me for the overwhelming fear I felt and the on-going sadness that I am left with. God Bless Us Each and All! Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story4280.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.188.6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I woke up and turn on the Today show. I saw the plane flying into the tower. I actually thought it was a preview of a new diaster movie. Unfortunately, I finally realized that it was real. I was horrified. I went to work and the news kept coming in. The second plane, the plane in Pennsylvania, the Pentagon. It just went on and on. I think I was in shock for the first day. I have a cousin that lives in the city, so we tried to reach him. I finally talked with my aunt who said he was fine. I am from a family of 10, so were talked and emailed all week. I spent quite of bit of time that first week just crying. I was so sad for the firefighters and policeman. We are avid baseball fans, so the first games when they played America the Beautiful, I teared up again. When the Mariners cinched the playoffs, it was incredibly respectful. The walked around the field with a flag. I have always been a very patrotic American, but I think my patrotism increased. However, the violent response is not right. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story4130.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.225.172.180 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I had just woke up for work and was getting ready. I had gotten a cup of coffee from downstairs. The odd thing was that I had turned on the television and had decided that I would watch the news while getting ready. I had never done this before, I would normally just get ready a get out the door and off to work.. I wanted to watch tv for some reason that morning. Little did I know history was in the making on my TV and I was about to see it. Every channel had New York on its screen. I thought maybe this is just a big fire, no pictures yet of the replays of the jets hitting the towers. Total and utter confusion from the news networks, they sounded like they had no idea what was happening. I had the impression that it was a fire for about 15 min. Then before my eye I saw something that I couldn't believe, tower was doing something. Oh my god; that building is falling down. No it cant, theres no way. Yes one of the towers was just falling to the ground. What about all those people, who could do such a horrible thing I thought to myself. Even with such a disaster; I got in my car and drove off to work. Strange I thought to myself, I don't see any planes in the sky and I'm right next to the airport. They certainly had a lock down on that. No one seemed to think that terriost were going to attack in Portland. Business was going on as usual but it was going to be the talk of the day. I knew that after news had confirmed that these had been attacks on the American people. We had to drive on and not let this get us down as a nation, everyone else is just jealous of what freedom and creativity can do for a nation. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story10304.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2004-01-06 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.123.29.216 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I first heard the news on the radio. I could not believe my ears. I did not want to admitt that America was in trouble. I did not hit me hard until Steve Holstein (dj on wixy 100.3) announced that the Pentigon was being attacked. I called my husband to tell him to turn on CNN and tell me what was going on. A few minutes later I hear him scream NO! NO! NO! I thought something had happened to our daughter (she had just turned 1 on the 9th of September). He told me that the twin towers had just callapsed and we had just had a national catastrophy. I use to take freedom for granted but not anymore. Lots of times you hear of wars but never get to experierence the after affects. With this, our entire country was affected. Terrorst tried to divide us but that is what made us stand more unified. Cassandra K Reed Mansfield, Illinois Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story4575.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 206.221.225.235 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: The world stood in disbelief as the unthinkable unfolded right before our very eyes. It seemed as if the whole world was literally crumbling before us. Within a matter of minutes the lives of every American changed forever. No longer will we take for granted the reality of just how vulnerable we really are. The very labels we assign to one another was that which bound us together, that dreadful day we all forgot that we were African or Irish American, the fact of the matter was that we were all American. I remember sitting on the ?L? train when the second plan hit and still I had no idea of the magnitude of what really occurred. I was on my way to work and someone casually pointed out that the towers were on fire. I and so many other commuters on that train simply assumed that shortly the fire would be put out. How could we have imagined that we would be under attack? As I exited the subway on 34th street, I barely had time to enter the office; hysterical co-workers greeted me. I must have sat down for what seemed to be eternity trying to grasp what was really happening. It is then; you see where your true loyalties lie. I called my little sister?s school, my older sister?s job and a long list of other people. I sat in disbelief as the minutes turned into hours, subways were shut, bridges were closed and a state of emergency was declared. The empire state building was announced to be a possible terrorist target. All hell broke lose. Nowhere was safe, up until that point we had all huddled in a supervisor?s office listening to the radio. I remember thinking this could not be happening. Everyone frantically called his or her loved ones in search of false assurance that the other was o.k. As we waited for the subways to reopen, patience and fear quickly turned into frustration and anger. Minutes quickly crept into hours and some subway services had resumed on a Sunday schedule. Fortunate for me, the trains I needed to get home were among the lucky ones. I rushed home and got my little sister from school. We sat glued in front of the tube for hours. It seemed information was not forth coming soon enough. I waited and waited until my mother got home. It seemed a lifetime before she walked through the door. I must have thanked GOD a thousand times for sparing her life. I stayed awake for at least 48 hours watching the news. Every television and radio was on for fear that some vital information would come and we need to make a means of escape. Escape to where? Any information was information no matter the validity. As we watch the towers crumbled over and over again on TV, every one called on his and her GOD pleading for the lives of those trapped. As we waited to count our losses with every other American, it seemed we died every time the death toll got higher and the notch for survivors decreased. Survivors were not forthcoming and our very heroes became victims. Solace was no where to be found, comfort was comfort less and well wishing was dried up. Tears flowed relentless. I couldn?t explain what was happening. I couldn?t speak; words escaped every emotion I felt. I wanted to, no, I needed to reach out and comfort in order to be comforted. I gave blood; I donated blankets, socks and food. I hugged random people, I had this need to touch and feel if this hurt other people as much as it did me. Somehow, the need to be there for someone else made this feel more real and made me all the more stronger. Ground Zero became synonymous with Ground Hero. The story that remained etched in my mind forever is Cantor Fitzgerald?s. With that story came a new wave of tears couple with the weight of guilt for having had survived when so many others did not. His very experience spoke to every survivor. That horrible day it hurt be an American but it proved that a country as large as the US could pull together and be a community. Geraldine Jupiter New York, NY Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story215.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.11.21.254 Annotation Annotations to this item. Memorials/Vigils (location or person) Religion Rescue/clean-up workers/volunteers Television Coverage NY:3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: I had just gotten to work when I heard the news of this devastation. My first reaction was one of disbelief. I borrowed a TV from one of my tenants, I manage a commercial real estate property, and turned to the news. My emotions quickly changed to angry and outrage. As I sat there glued to the station, I cried for the lost of life, I actually felt as if I had lost personal loves ones in the tragity. I say personal love ones, because although I did not lose any relatives or close friends, I felt a kinship to the ones that were hurt and dying. The rage was overwhelming. In the months that have followed this tragity, I have not lost much of my outrage nor my anger, but I am gradually learning to live with the aftermath. I pray every day for peace yet I anticipate doom around every corner. I wish with all my heart that we could turn back time to pre-9-11-01. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story4410.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.42.204.51 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: How I Remember 9-11-01 By Marilyn Albright The day started off as a typical day at the place I work, The Salvation Army Service Center in Somerset, PA at 8:30 am. We had a coffee house ministry in back with a big screen TV. Two of the teachers from the Technology Center were here getting ready for their classes. They taught G.E.D. classes to local adults. A normal day I open the incoming mail, then make plans for future collections and distributions like the ?Back to School? program where we just gave out $13,000 dollars in school supplies and $50 vouchers to Kmart for new school clothes for school aged kids. Then we were about to start the planning stages for our Community Thanksgiving dinner. Everyday we have at least 3 or 4 individuals who come in for assistance with food, emergency energy assistance or eviction prevention. Sometimes they need help with medical problems. I made coffee, was wiping down the counter top when Esther Landis came running in to tell me that a plane went down out near Lambertsville Road. Esther has a scanner. I thought she was talking about a small plane. I didn't pay very much attention to what she was saying because that news didn't effect me. About that time, Bertha Anderson, (Salvation Army Human Services Secretary, employee at our office) came running in telling us to turn on the TV that two planes have crashed. She sounded very serious, so I did turn on the TV. We were all watching over and over how the plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Then somewhere between 9 and 9:15 a second plane crashed into the other Twin Tower. Then about the same time another plane had crashed into the Pentagon. When they said the Pentagon????.that is when it hit me! All of a sudden I felt a cold chill with goosebump (a mock terrorist attack on a mall) back a couple of months ago at Greengate Mall in Greensburg, PA. There must have been 400 people there. I just was paired up with one of the leaders in training so that I could learn from his actions. It was kind of an ?on the job training exercise. He had been at disasters many times before but never as the person in charge. I learned quickly that you have to just root your way up to the command post or you will never get in to do your job. The main goal is to find out how many people will be working in the area and for how long. Then get that communication back to the outside folks who can arrange to get the food. I was in disbelief. It felt like it was not true, it felt like a movie. I just couldn't peel myself away from the TV. Like everyone else I began to get scared we were at war. I received a phone call from our Divisional Head Quarters Emergency Disaster Services, Bob Meyers. He wanted me to verify that it was a commercial airline that went down in Shanksville, PA. I was in shock again. I told him I would call the state troopers to verify then call him right back. I hung up the phone, then tried to call the state trooper, but I had no dial tone! That was really starting to scare me more. Then I received another phone call from Fran Brace, from DHQ telling me that Chris Crow, Salvation Army Senior Field Rep would be on his way out to pick me up to go out there. I told her I couldn't make calls out for her to call Bob Meyers to let him know I couldn't verify the plane crash. I then went to my car to get my cell phone. Again I tried to call the state trooper, no luck. We could receive calls but couldn't call out. I tried calling home but couldn?t. That was totally scaring me, I kept trying. I called my daughter in St.Louis. It worked! I woke her up, there is an hour time change, she works late so she was still in bed. I was calling her to let her know that I loved her and that I was all right. With the way the news was, I thought for some reason, I would be out of communications for a while and I just wanted to tell her to call my son and let him know that I love him and that I am ok. My Field Representative, Chris Crow came about that time, somewhere around 9:15 or 9:20 am, picked me up and the way we went out to Shanksville. He told me that it was a commercial airline. On the way out there I told him I just attended an all day training. That was totally scaring me, I kept trying. I called my daughter in St.Louis. It worked! I woke her up, there is an hour time change, she works late so she was still in bed. I was calling her to let her know that I loved her and that I was all right. With the way the news was, I thought for some reason, I would be out of communications for a while and I just wanted to tell her to call my son and let him know that I love him and that I am ok. While we were talking about that we arrived at Shanksville. We pulled up to an open field. It was Diamond T Coal Mine. We pulled over to the side of the gravel road and parked the car and got out. The state trooper wouldn?t let us go any further. I noticed there was probably only about 7 or 8 people there total. I noticed a priest with camouflage pants and combat boots on. I also noticed all of us were standing there looking at the puff of smoke up over the hill behind us. The state trooper wouldn?t let us go any further. It is a crime scene. We were looking at the planes circling the area. There was a helicopter circling then left the area. Rumors were that they might have recovered a survivor flying them to a hospital. Found out later, no survivors. Chris Crow asked me, ?So what did you learn at the training that we can use today? ? I said, ? we need to get down in further, all the way to Command Post. We have to introduce yourself as being the Salvation Army and need to know just how many people there will be here working and how long it will take so that we can start planning how to provide nourishment for the recovery workers.? Chris Crow got the state trooper to take him down there to the crash site to talk to who ever were in charge at the time. I am not sure if it was the Director of the Emergency Management Agency or someone else at the time. It was still very early. By this time the people were just multiplying. I was looking for a place to go to the restroom. There was a cornfield nearby that looked pretty good except everyone watched as you entered it and came back out. I looked around for a house; there was a nearby house. There were vans with satellite dishes lining up in a row. At that time there were probably 4 TV stations there with news crews. I wanted to hurry because I was afraid I would miss Chris when he came back and he might not be able to find me in the crowd of people that was starting to form. I walked down the long gravel driveway to the house looking for a bathroom but no luck. I rang the doorbell, no answer. Then on the way back, I found a port-a-potty they had already brought. I guess by that time there were probably close to 150 people. This is when my memory is kind of fuzzy but I think by now a Salvation Army Canteen from Uniontown came. They had some supplies in stock, but they were not prepared for something of this magnitude. I wasn?t even thinking about being hungry at this point, but was concerned about getting some food for the 150 ? 200 people that would soon be hungry. Chris Crow did come back to tell us that there would be at least 150 people down there in the hole and it would probably be from 2 to 4 weeks. Then Esther and I walked over to one of the news men and asked if we could do a on the air plea for some sandwiches and bottled water & pop. Then within a half an hour we started getting buried with truckloads of soda, water and sandwiches. We stacked it into the Canteen until it was running over, so we had to try to stack it outside. Dew was setting in. We knew we had to get the food in coolers. We needed ice. A gentleman from Camp Allegheny ?Stoystown came by to ask if we needed help. I said yes, we need ice, we also need trash bags as well as someone to take the trash. He did. I went back into town to try to order breakfast for the next day from Burger King. That didn?t work, they couldn?t handle the volume. He said they didn?t even have that much in the freezer. So I went to McDonalds. Luckily there were two in town so they worked together. They came up with 300 breakfast sandwiches for 7 am. They said they would accept a Salvation Army voucher. Then I went back to the crash site. It was getting late, sometime after 12 midnight. Chris Crow told me I should just go on home. He said he would stay there all night. I said maybe I could get him what ever he needed, he had contacts in his eyes, I could go to Wal-Mart and get him some contact solution and a case. So I did, I also got him a clean change of clothes. Then I took it back out to him, then went home. I went home to get some sleep, came back at 6 am. I picked up the food at McDonalds and took it out to the site. That morning more people were there. The amount of people must have doubled. There was media crawling all over the place. There were newspaper people from Ireland, New York, Canada, PA, all over. There were people taking pictures of us with big cameras, video cameras. I heard we were on the news again and again. Also during the night, another canteen came relieving the one from Uniontown. Then another one came. There were two Salvation Army canteens there facing each other. Sandwiches were pouring in. I was worried that the sandwiches were getting smashed. But we managed to keep them out of the sun. The Johnstown Salvation Army Corp offered to bring breakfast the next day, since McDonald?s couldn?t do that many sandwiches again that quickly. I was suppose to try to figure out how to feed 400 people three times a day. I went back into Somerset to get a phone book and try to call some places to get some food catered in. Major Carney of Johnstown Salvation Army suggested that I call the Meals on Wheels program. That was a stroke of genius. That worked out very well. I called Art DiLoretto, Director of the Area Agency on Aging about breakfast for 400 Seven days a week for at least the next three weeks. He said yes without batting an eye. I was sooooo grateful. Now, to work on lunch and supper. During all this walking around, trying to get the cell phone to work, I saw three phone companies there installing telephone poles and satellite dishes. I saw the AT&T man pull up in his van. When he got out of the van, I asked him if he could loan us about 10 phones and service so that we could talk to each other, (meaning the 6 different canteens in the recovery efforts here). He said he would have to call his supervisor. He did, and it was moments later, he said he would bring them in the morning. So by day three we had phones to communicate with each other. I felt that was a major accomplishment because we were running back and forth trying to see what each other had and need so that we can continue to feed enough people. By day three the Calvary showed up, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Crew from Pittsburgh and from Ohio. They were tied up with the New York efforts. They came to help us get better organized and give us a couple of days off. At that point we needed a break. They said that we were doing a very good job, but?.. we could clean the place up and get better organized. They were professionals at disaster work. They knew that the food had to be institutionalized. By that I mean it has to be catered in and put in bulk containers so that we can keep the hot food hot and the cold food cold. Food Safety was of utmost importance. They stressed the importance of not letting the FBI get food poisoning by all the well-meaning churches who kept bringing in all the pasta, chicken and sandwiches with mayo. The Emergency Disaster Services, Western PA?s Director, Robert Meyers told me I would be in charge of the food. That scared me, I was really afraid and dreading to plan the Thanksgiving Dinner and that was only for 175 people and it is only one meal. The meals here are for 400 people three times a day?.. AND for at least 3 more weeks!!!! Then he looked at Chris Crow and told him he would be in charge of the volunteers to man the Canteens. They would have to serve 12-hour shifts from 10am to 10pm. Then the next shift would be 10 pm to 10 am. They also brought a trailer to set up at what was called the staging area. Then there was another area called the Command Post. There was a third area called the Decon area, (Decontamination area), the fourth area was the Morgue, then there was the canteen who rode the perimeter, they were the Ligonier Canteen. I was putting in 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. After a while, people found out what my phone number was so my little cell phone was ringing and ringing. I was receiving calls from churches, businesses, the fire hall, all wanting to donate food. They all had times and amounts they were going to deliver. I had to try to coordinate big tubs of food. I remember some lady calling me wanting to donate fried chicken. I tried to explain that we were going to have to order the food catered in because of safety reasons. She cried, telling me she just wanted to help her country. I told her I needed 400 pieces. I told her I also needed mashed potatoes too and a roll. She said she would do her best. She tried and tried, she only could come up with 260 pieces bless her heart. She really had to struggle to find that many pieces. The food was late getting to us. I was getting heat from the bosses above. I didn?t have dinner by 4 pm. It was gong on 5:30 when she finally brought it. I had to meet her at the Shanksville Fire Hall because the State Troopers wouldn?t let her in. I had people calling me telling me they had Olive Garden donating 60 dinners, Sub Shops donating 300 sub sandwiches on Tuesday of next week. I had a lot of confusion. My brain was going to mush. I did notice that The Salvation Army had a refrigerator tractor and trailer finally for all the stuff that needed it. That was a blessing. I am so grateful for Annie Daniels at the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Hall, for coordinating the non-perishable food donations. She was filtering a lot of the hot food to us. There were so many local people who came forward to bring us literally anything we asked for. I remember the local fuel company filling a big tank so that we could fill up our little off road vehicles. I remember the local Harley Davidson Dealer loaning us a 4 wheeler for us to haul stuff to each of the canteens. Mark Tsantes of Emergency Disaster Services of Western PA Salvation Army was on the phone with Eat ?N Park corporate office. They were negotiating a deal with the meals every day for lunch and dinner. I was hoping it would start soon. It was really hard for me to get a definite answer out of people who would donate only part of the food, and not deliver, and?? on a day that I already had something else coming in. I remember people walking up to me asking to volunteer. I would give them Chris Crow?s phone number because sometimes he wouldn?t be in the same area I was. I want to recognize as many of the folks who helped that I can remember. I apologize if I left any out, or they gave but wasn?t affiliated with me. Here are the ones I was aware of: Chuck Wagner, Annie Daniels, Art DiLoretto, Pam Kalish, Laura Taragawa, Carol Gary & Daughter, Nina Lensbouer, AT&T, Keystone Coca Cola, Snyder?s of Berlin, Highland Harley Davidson, Promistar Bank, Ice Factory, Dunkin Donuts, DugOut Pizzaria, Kutos, Starbucks Coffee, Walmart, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Italian Oven, Kings, Wendy?s, RJ Farmers Market, Ryan?s, Blacklick Fire Dept., Area Agency on Aging, Chuckwagon Caterers, Shanksville Lutheran Church, Holly House, St. Paul?s Lutheran Church-Buckstown, Stoystown,PA, Sue Livingston-Home Bakery, Church of the Nazarene, Laurel Trinity Church, Dana Johnson, Black Lick Fire Auxillary-Indiana Co., Star Fund Raising, Ken Burkett, Meyersdale Medical Centre, Scheffel Equipment, the Youth Group with Ben Lowry, Joe Knee, John Dick, Jessica Butala, Sam Elayazra, Janet Fuoss & Cheryl Sechrist, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Jack and Helen Haugle, Lynette L. Ely, Emily Jane Hickson, Woman?s Christian Service, Council of United Church of God, U.M. Mathews, Emily Cupp, Carol E. Troutman, Patricia L. Weir, Vivian Ohrs, Rockwood Rotary Club, Caroline & Andrew Sheeler, William Mignona, Demis Deist, Glenda Bittner, Linda Troll-North Star Education, First Christ Church, Mennonite Church Sunday School, Brownie Troop # 449, Springs Folk Festival, Gertrude and Bill Hanes, Robert Brant, Keim?s Sales and Service, Bonnie Peterson, Mosholder Insurance Agency, Margaret Mimmick, Women?s Civic Club- Confluence, Pastor Geo VanRiper and wife Nadine, Kathleen Goughmour-Bever Falls, PA, Gregory Hoffmans Construction Co., Mr. & Mrs. Durst, Messiah Lutheran Church, St. Paul?s United Church of Christ, Fleetwood Trailer Employees, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Burnsworth, Soloman Run Ladies Auxillary, Ann Bender, Theodore Stoner, Cotter & son Milk Transport, Jane Baldwin, Debbie Barron, Becky Leasure, Carolyn Nicholson, Colleen Caffrey, Swieckly Apa, Tim Nanoca, M. J. Gary, Tina Reczek, Daniel Winters, Bonnie Crosby, Esther Landis, Melanie Heiple, wm McGinley, Cathy Lambertus, Machelle Aurandt, Susan Courtney, Mike Bowser, Penny Mason, Berdette Stutzman, Donna Flickinger, Bill Mapgly, Robin Marsh, Pam Bodziak, Rob Heinrich, Esther Pitt, Ken Burkett, ********************************************************** I am running out of steam, its late, I have a busy day tomorrow. I want to just sum this writing up with this: Over 22,850 meals served to disaster workers and volunteers later, The Salvation Army truly considers it a privilege to assist others during crisis. We believe that this is our role: to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to those in need, whether during a national crisis or in the lives of those facing personal crisis. We assigned 7 Canteens, 6 support units and 3 operational trailers. We gave out 1,000 Bibles to media, families of the victims, and volunteers. I am going to just share part of a letter I wrote as a letter to the editor right after the recovery efforts: The whole experience during the disaster recovery has significantly moved me. I witnessed uncommon gallantry and spirit from this community -- people offered literally anything we asked for. We all had a role in the recovery and each person made the difference in how smoothly the operation went. This community revealed values and character traits that I really admire. We pulled skills from within that we didn?t even know we had. I feel strength knowing that there are probably people like us all over this great nation. I have more faith now than ever, that we will overcome this tragedy. I feel tired physically and emotionally- and in my thoughts about the country, I feel wounded. But I feel healing going on knowing that together we can accomplish a lot more than we ever dreamed. I want to thank the surrounding six Salvation Army Corps for lending its time, talents, volunteers, and resources. It truly does take an army of people who care. After seeing firsthand what we can do when we work together as a nation, I feel proud to live in Pennsylvania and proud to be an American. Thank God for all of you. Marilyn Albright, Service Center Director The Salvation Army Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story687.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-05-29 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 129.174.27.190 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: The tragic events of September 11th by Nancy Sanders I am writing this one month to the day after the tragic events unfolded on September 11, 2001 and changed our world forever. It was one of those days that you can never forget, and will always know where you were and what you were doing when it happened. This is my story. I had driven up to my parents house to see my grandmother, who was visiting from Massachusetts. We were sitting on the couch chatting and had the news on. We were planning a day of shopping and lunch. All of a sudden, the station cut to breaking news from New York. We watched the burning building in horror as they explained that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City. Our reasoning told us that it was some kind of terrible fluke, an accident. We were glued to the television and watched in complete disbelief as another plane struck the second tower. It was then that we realized that it was a deliberate act. They soon announced that a plane had just struck the Pentagon, and another crashed in Pennsylvania. The realization the plane crashed into the Pentagon rattled me so much because it really meant that somebody was seriously attacking our country. This was no mistake. When I heard about the Pennsylvania crash, I remember telling my grandmother that I just knew that we would be hearing stories of heroism, for there is no way that plane was meant to simply crash in a corn field. The whole time these events were transpiring, I could not stop thinking about all of the people that are desperately trying to evacuate those buildings, and all who had perished. I thought about the poor people on the planes who must have known what was happening. I then witnessed the most heartbreaking, horrible, unthinkable event I had ever seen. The first and second towers collapsed within minutes of eachother. As the first tower came down, I became completely hysterical. I was crying for those who had died that very moment. All of the rescue workers that had gone into the building, all of the people trying to evacuate, anyone on the ground underneath the toppling buildings. Anyone watching that helplessly watched knowing their family member was inside or in the area. I was crying for our nation's safety. I cried for the bravery and horror that took place simultaneously. I had never imagined I would witness such terrible events in my lifetime. From that point on, it was as if time stood still. We were riveted to the TV and couldn't leave the house. We were so afraid for our safety and didn't know what was coming next. The days and weeks after this event were filled with enormous sorrow, uncertainty, worry, and pride. The effect it has had on our nation as a whole has been staggering. Our skies were empty, as the President had shut down all air traffic. I told my children to go outside and look at the clear contrail-free sky, for I hoped it would be the only time in their lifetime they would ever have to see it. Hope has turned to despair as time wore on and there were no survivors pulled from the wreckage. Today, the recovery workers are still trying to dig out remains of victims, and for their families there has been no closure. The economy suffered terribly, layoffs abound. The stock marked plunged and surged out of control. There have been scares of germ warfare with an Anthrax outbreak in Florida. There is still uncertainty as we began the bombing of Afghanistan just a few days ago. We are at war with a stealthy and sneaky enemy. One who has no regard for life, who hates America and all we stand for. Didn't he know who he was dealing with? This will make our nation stronger. I also witnessed the most amazing thing. Americans standing up for our country, pitching in where needed, collecting funds, and displaying our patriotism, standing shoulder to shoulder with pride. People have the American flag everywhere, on their car windows, on their car antennas, on their homes. Red, white and blue ribbons everywhere. People wearing flag, and patriotic shirts. I am proud to be an American! This is truly an AWESOME country, and God Bless the men and women and children that have died in it's name, whether as a warrior in battle or a brave victim. And may God bring comfort to their loved ones. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story9730.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.136.181.93