336 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: well. i was in reading and my teacher turned on the tv. we all kinda got the gist that something was wrong beacuse we have never watched cnn on a regular basis. my teacher told us that something tragic had happend. we all had no idea what it was or who did it but we were all determined to find out! later we saw both of the towers fall. many of us were VERY scared but many of us did not show it. me well i did i was crying like a lil baby. my teacher was a very nice one and she helped me overcome the fear that we all have to die someday.i want to thank you for takeing time out to listen to what i have to say and my views on things. thank you , and GOD bless! 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 story9170.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. 2003-03-26 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.18.33.4 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: We were to have a fire drill that day and my granddaughters teacher was so glad that I was there to help with the first drill of the year. About 9:30 am they came over the P.A. and said that the drill had been cancelled. I thought nothing of it, as did the teacher. At 11:00am I was on my home when my cell phone rang. It was my daughter, sounding very upset. She said where are you! Thinking that was not her usual I said in the car on my way home. She said mother have you heard what has happened. Upon which I told her no that I had been working in her daughters class room. She said mother, I think you need to go back to the school and get the kids for me. I said what has happened? Then she told me and I almost stopped dead in the road. I was so upset, I could not focus on anything for such a long time. I could not tear myself away from the TV. I was young during the Cuba crisis, but this was far to close to home and now I had a child and grandchildren. I could not sleep, I was a mess. I really was afraid that I needed a psychiarist. This was just to much for me to swallow. I have freinds that have gone to NY to see ground zero and have asked me to go........NO!!! I could never just stand there and imagine what all of those people went through. What there loved ones must still be going through and WHY would some one do such a thing to so many that had done nothing to them. I would love for all of them to know that my heart breaks every day for all of them and pray to GOD, that he will heal them and give them streath to go on for the ones that are no longer here. Gloria J. Forys 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 story1326.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. 2002-08-20 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.206.216.138 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 name is Robert Rivera(age 21)and I am a Draftsmen for Duca/ Huder & Kumlin Architectural Planners and on September 11, 2001 I was on my way to work from Philadelphia, PA. I can still remember the announcement over the radio as if it were yesterday. At first the information did not register, it was not until I reached the Acme market in Moorestown (next to my work) that I realized what was happening. A small television had been setup by the registers to display the horror that was taken place. On a typical day this Acme would be full of customers rushing around trying to purchase food items on the way to work. Today it was absolutely still as a group of about 20 customers and staff, including myself stood in utter dismay as the South Tower was struck by second plan. In an instant the reality of what was taken place finally sunk in. People began to cry and some left stricken with panic. How could this be happening, I felt so alone. When I was 12 years of age I went on a field trip with my sixth grade class to the World Trade Center in New York City. The highlight of the trip was going to the top of South Tower where there is an observation deck. I can still remember the view from the top of the World Trade Tower as the wind whipped by my face, it was one of the most magnificent memories of my life. I recall thinking to myself, "How could man build something so great". I can't explain the feeling you have when you stand on the top of the tower. It is like standing on top of the world. It was from this day forward that I knew what I wanted to do. I want to be an Structural Engineer, I want to build something this great, something that would stand tall, and proud for ages to come. It hurt me so much to see the Towers collapse. It felt as if my very own aspirations were collapsing right in front of me, how could this happen, it's not fair. It was all to much for me I ended up slouching down beside the register in tears overwhelmed by emotions of pain and anger. All I could think about is how no man or woman will be able to experience the same calling as I did when it finally hit me, my uncle works in the North Tower. Every year I will shed a tear for those who lost there lives in this cowardily attack. I want the people of United States to know that despite the fact that the terrorists took away the twin towers that inspired me to become the design proffesional that I am today that they can never take away the memories of inspiration, my feeling of being on top of the world while visting the observation deck at the South Tower, and most importantly all the unecessary loss of innocent life. May God bless us all and may we never forget September 11, 2001. 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 story6402.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. 2002-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.47.20.251 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 in bed when my phone rang. It was my sister telling me to turn on the television that a plane had hit the WTC. I asked her if it was it an accident? A few minutes later I saw the second plane come into the television screen. I screemed to my mother that they were going to hit the tower. I sat there crying and knowing that it was an intentional act of terror and that we were going to war. The safety we all felt was gone. The devastating sites of the WTC towers was overwhelming. I couldn't leave the television. I had to absorb all I could see and hear. I still have trouble understanding the thoughts that would lead anyone to think this act would solve any problems the world may have. To take the innocent lives of many a wife, husband, mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter doesn't solve anything. I still struggle with trying to understand the hatred for the USA. My father, who is dead, was a Disabled American Veteran, and I miss not being able to discuss this with him. My prayers are for the victims and their families and the survivors. I hope our country will stay united in the way they came together after 9-11. 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 story3714.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. 64.12.96.8 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: September 11, 2001 is one of those days that everyone will look back on and always remember. Till this day, three years later I can still remember where I was and how I felt at that moment that I heard the nation was under attack. It was a typical school day, my alarm went off at six and I forcefully got myself out of bed. Finally, I was ready to face yet another day of my senior year at Falls Church High School. The morning had passed like any other; there was the normal scurrying out of the house and through the busy hallways to make it to my Calculus class just in time to not be tardy. Calculus was one of the classes I dreaded most but the best part of it all was that I had the class with my best friend, Gloria. The bell rung and Gloria and I sat at our usual spot in the back of the room. Like, every other day we took our morning quiz, reviewed the homework from the night before, and went over the new material for our next assignment. Everything was going normally until all of a sudden near the end of class one of the administrators came over the intercom and announced that everyone should remain in their classrooms and not leaves the classrooms until further instructions. Announcements over the intercom always meant something was wrong, and everyone expected the worst. A few minutes had passed and the principal came over the intercom announcing that the Pentagon and the Twin Towers had been hit and that everyone should remain in their classes. The intercom went off and Mrs. Allard turned on the television and every channel was covering the tragedy, showing images of the towers and the Pentagon. A silence fell over the room everyone look worried and shocked. Our nation, one of the strongest nations in the world was under attack. Thousands of emotions ran through my mind and it all seemed so overwhelming. How could just such a normal day turn out to be such an important day in history? Who was capable of doing such a thing? Why would anyone attack innocent human beings and cause so much fear for a nation? The days following the attack were when reality finally began to hit, terrorists had in fact terrorized innocent people. However, this tragic day had changed America in a positive way as it had negatively. Something this tragic had to occur for a nation to become united and work together. Out of September 11, 2001 came the phrase, ?United We Stand.? September 11, 2001 was a tragic day that many lives were lost but it was also a time when people finally noticed just how important unity and compassion for one another is. 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 story11219.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. 2004-12-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 138.88.186.81 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 the front office supervisor at the Capitol Plaza Hotel.Upon returning from a break I heard that an airliner had just hit one of the world trade center towers. My heart jumped in my mouth. My daughter Kari lives a few blocks from the trade center. By the time I returned to the desk, I discovered another plane had hit the south tower. The desk area has a TV for guests. Needless to say, I tuned in to find out what was going on. As I am watching, my wife phones from her place of work very distraught about Kari. As a Christian, I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me at that moment, "I'll take care of Kari, you take care of Judy"(my wife). Judy returned to our home and kept the phone lines open. For the next few hours we answered concerned friends and family as best we could as to how our daughter was doing. One friend phone from Austria and others from over the U.S. Our concern was that she told us the previous week, that she thought on Tuesday she would go get her books and the antivirus software for her new computer, and then go look around the trade center. Several hours later we discovered, that her class at New School University had interviewed Bruce Willis and ran late into the early AM hours and she had slept in that morning. She was in her apartment dorm. Greatly relieved at her being alive, we kept hearing from her sporadically because of communications breakdown. Her room mate's father worked on the 72nd floor and she was also dealing with a distraught companion. By the time Building 7 collasped the National Guard evacuated her building. For the next several hours we again heard from her as they moved them from building to building due to bomb threats. As we watched the TV broadcast we could hear the local sounds in the background everytime Kari phoned. By the early AM of September 13, we could speak with her. We discovered that she and her companion had returned to her companion's parents home. Her father had survived and they were trying to rest. We celebrated with that lengthy phone call and were pleased to tell her of the many friends inquiries and prayers. She was touched and replied (I'm paraphrasing now)I love you all. God's presence got us through, but pray for the people who didn't make it. It was terrible. When I heard the noise, I grumbled about the noisy city. Later I realized they were running for their lives. One of these days, I'm gonna take some pictures to show my children someday of what hate can do. Judy and I understand the term running because we were also running;definately not the same literal sense of people in NY but running none the less. Our family was changing and we had no control. We couldn't get to NY to help Kari nor even if we could get to NY we couldn't get in. Even after we knew Kari was alive and in the presence of a caring home away from home, we slept very little. Little things disturbed our rest and would for the next few days; a flash of light, the noise of a neighbor next door. At one point I turned on the attic fan in our hallway off from our bed room and my wife bolted out of bed calling my name and saying she heard an airplane coming at our home. The next minute she realized all was well. It has been a year now and by the grace of God there was a September 13 for us in 2001 and one in 2002. Our family will never be the same but we go on. Our hearts go out to the families of others that day that will also never be the same and some of them will not go on. Thank you for taking time to read our story. God took care of us and He will take care of you. 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 story6509.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. 2002-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 12.215.227.88 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 left my home in Surrey, England on September 10th 2001. I arrived in New York and was very excited as I was about to embark on a 6 week tour around the USA. Little did I know that the following day would change my life. I was due to leave New York with 'Trek America' on September 12th, that left me with one day to visit as much as I could in New York. That day was September 11th, now the most famous date in history. All of my friends and family knew I was visiting New York and they all knew I had one day to see as much as I could. On arrival in New York i went as soon as I could to the Empire State Building because I wanted to see the city come alive at night from the top. I remember that on the monday evening was one of the biggest storms I have ever seen, which is probably why the weather was so nice on the tuesday. Because of the storm, the visibilty at the top was terrible so I was advised to purchase my ticket and return the following day. I woke up very early on tuesday and I remember that the only headline on the news was the fact that Michael Jordan was returning to basketball. It is really strange how small, insignificant things seemed to have stayed in my memory! I got on the metro early and headed down to Battery Park as my aim was to work back up Manhatten during the day. I almost got off the metro at the WTC stop, but for some unknown reason I didn't. That was probably the best decision I have ever made. When I got down to Battery Park I began following the signs round to the Statue of Liberty ferry. It was then I remember seeing some people looking up at the towers. I saw that one of them was on fire. My initial reaction was to brush it off as just a fire, and I am sure it will be out soon. I had no idea a plane had ripped into the building. I carried on walking towards the ferry station, where I joined about 20 or so people just standing amazed at the towers. Then from no where was this rumble. A noise I will never forget. It was an engine. I turned away from the towers, and almost within touching distance was a bright silver plane. It was gleaming in the sunshine. The engines began to increase in velocity, the noise increased and then to my shock flew into the other tower. There was the fireball first and then followed by the boom of the explosion. Now I thought I was in a movie, like I had removed myself from reality and was watching these events happening but not to me. It was like I was on the outside looking in. But then there were screams as people starting running into the park and this bought me back to reality. People were trying to phone relatives. Tears were following everywhere I looked. I knew no-one at all. I was alone. It was honestly the most alone and terrified I have ever felt in my life. The coolest man in the park was a policeman. I will never forget him. He was telling everyone to calm down and stay where they were and not too panic. That kind of assurance was exactly what I needed and whoever he was, I thank him. But now as people began running into the park they were shouting thats 2, thats 2, get outta here. It was then I realised that this was no accident and something more sinister was happening. I would have given anything to see just one familiar face but nothing. I was completely alone. I began walking away from the park and followed a group of american guys. I heard from them that the pentagon had also been hit, and I thought what on earth is going on? and why am I in this country? It was a strange, selfish thought but at the time it just seemed natural. The full reality of the situation didn't strike me until I returned to the hotel. On the walk back, I heard that one of the towers had collapsed and the other I saw drop as we stood watching from a safe distance. After two and a half hours of walking I got back to the hotel and began watching the events on TV. Things started to hit home then. How close I was to it. The fact that if a terrorist I have never met chose to delay this action by an hour or so i would have been stood at the top of the towers. The fact that so many people had lost their life. The fact that when that plane flew over me the people inside were alive, but more terrified than is ever possible to imagine. Things like that still haunt me today. I sat at the bar in the hotel and broke down. It just hit me. The strangers in the bar were supportive and I can't thank them all enough. After finally speaking to a very worried family back home, I continued with my trip and have to say it was excellent. But that day will stay with me forever, and I know I will never forget it because there are constant reminders in my life. But I see that as a way I can try and make my life better. That day showed me not only how precious life is, but what constitutes a real hero and real spirit between people. 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 story589.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. 2002-05-13 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 195.92.67.68 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: Hi my name is Marjorie Murray, I was at school in Alanson Michigan, taking a social studies test, when suddenly a student ran in the classroom saying that their had been an attack in New York. At first I was thinking an attack big deal! Then after hearing tons of people were injured, and killed, and the trade centers being destroyed, I had then began to get a tear in my eye, knowing that lots of people from lots of heritages had been hurt non the less killed, knowing that I could have had ancestors in the trade centers had terrified me deeply. I don't think that anyone with family or ancestors would be happy that they had been hurt so I did what any normal persons would do, I cried!!! I cried in deep feelings and sorrow for those that had lost their family, those who will never see them, and most of all for those who had dreams of becoming something or someone that the world would terribly need. And which now is over. I am sure that what has happened on September 11, 2001, in some eyes, will always be a mystery, of such if possible, though the grief and feelings are hereditarily To lots in the eyes of this attack, this will always be remembered, much like the revolution, or the Declaration of independence. This is my story. Marjorie Murray 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 story8939.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. 2003-01-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.108.204.40 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: On September 11 I came into our office on the corner of Connecticut and I Streets, NW at about 8:00am, as I do every weekday morning. I had my daily cup of tea, my computer was booting up, and I was about to get started on my to-do list. I wouldn't look at that list again with any kind of focus for two weeks. In the halls of the office I heard someone say that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. We turned on all the TVs in the office and tuned to CNN, among other news channels. We watched in awe as the tower, like a massive chimney, spewed out a stream of black smoke. It was a bad accident obviously, but there was no sense standing there looking at the tower burn; we had work to do. We did look in once in a while, and offer our "expert" opinions. Then the second plane hit, and we knew it was not an accident. From that moment on, we were glued to the TV. We watched and watched. We saw the towers collapse. Some of my colleagues had tears in their eyes. Among the false reports, we heard that there had been an explosion at the Pentagon. When it was confirmed, panick overtook me. These were terrorist attacks; Our office building is two blocks behind the White House. I wanted to run! From my window on the 7th floor, I could see White House personel evacuating on Connecticut Avenue. Soon the streets were glutted with cars and people. I saw six people in business suits sitting in the back of a pick-up truck. I decided to wait, so as not to get stuck in traffic. When I finally left, the city was deserted, and eerily quiet. It was such a beautiful day I took the top down on my little convertible. It took me a few minutes to get home to Alexandria. Ordinarily, I would have taken Memorial Bridge to 395, and driven past the Pentagon, exactly where the plane had hit. I didn't, knowing the way would be blocked, but I saw the smoke in the distance, as I drove over Key Bridge. Feeling the sunshine on my face, the warm air, it was difficult to reconcile two realities, the beautiful weather and the horror unfolding nearby. I got home, hugged my husband hard and long, and we watched more TV. Over and over we saw that plane plunge into the tower, and every time I shook my head in disbelief. I went back to work on September 12, but found it hard to concentrate. I searched the Internet, hungry for information on the attacks. I couldn't walk the two blocks from the parking garage to the office building without wondering if there was a bomb in the trashcans, or in that illegally parked car. For a while there were National Guardsmen on the street corner, but they eventually went away. That Friday, our boss let us out early. I took 14th Street and 395. As I was coming around the Pentagon, I saw the black scar on its side. It sent a chill down my spine. Five months later, apart from the war far away, things, for those of us lucky enough to not have lost anyone in DC or New York, are back to normal. We caught a glimpse of the "Grand Scheme of Things," and were noble for a while. Then we went back to being human. And that ain't bad. 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 story150.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. 2002-03-06 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.49.24.130 Annotation Annotations to this item. Rumors Struggle to get home DC:2 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: As usual, I awakened to get my daughter up for school. I did the normal things; made her breakfast, she got dressed, and I did the same. Before I took my daughter to school, I always fed my cats. They are always right at my feet, meowing away as though they never got fed. On this particular morning, they didn't do it, but I didn't notice. I was a little behind schedule, so I put a rush on feeding them and doing last minute details. As I went into the living room to retrieve my car keys and purse, I noticed the cats sitting by each other, and staring at the window. I thought that it was because I hadn't opened my blinds so they could enjoy the morning sun. So I opened them, yet it didn't phase them. They just sat there, staring, like statues. I thought this was a little strange. Then I went to check their food. It wasn't even touched! I didn't understand this behaviour, but I had no time to figure it out. I looked at the time. It was 8:45 am! I didn't know where the time had gone, and I was getting my daughter to school late. So, I left, and tried not to become irritated with traffic lights and slow drivers. I finally got her to school, and returned home to do typical household chores. When I returned home, the cats were still staring at the window, food untouched. I chose to ignore their unusual behaviour, and decided to go on the computer to retrieve some e-mail. As I did, my fiance had turned our bedroom TV on to see some sports updates before leaving to go to work. (He drives a truck into N.Y.C. to deliver all kinds of food and snacks for the Bloomberg Company in Manhatten.) Not even five minutes later, my fiance came running to me stating that a jumbo jet had crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings. I said that it was impossible,that he must be watching some kind of movie. He told me no, that it had hit it on purpose. I told him I'd be right there as soon as I finished my e-mail. Then all of a sudden he screamed, "Hon, oh my God! Another jumbo jet crashed into the second tower!" I hurried to go see just what was happening. Then I hear about the Pentagon! What was going on? Who was doing this, and why? I saw that horrible sight; the Twin Towers were terribly on fire. I told my fiance that I was going to go to the bridge on Rt. 1&9 to get a better view of the WTC. Little did I know what I was about to witness while being there, would be forever scarred on my soul. I was not the only one on the bridge. Alot of cars had pulled over. We were all in shock as we viewed this horrific sight. Many were speculating on who organized this terrorist attack. Then, this one car pulled over. A woman who had to be in her 50's was hysterical. She was saying her daughter worked at the WTC, and had called her saying what had happened and to come save her. She worked on the 90th floor, but her Mother didn't know which tower. She was frantic, and had her neighbor drive her, but had heard on the radio that all entrances were being closed to N.Y.C. She stated the last thing her daughter had said to her was, "Help me, Mommy. I can't get out. They aren't letting us out. Please! Come and get me. I don't want to die!" As her Mother was ready to answer her, her daughter's cell phone died. That only caused this poor woman more grief and panic. She was screaming and crying, and so helpless. This was her baby, and she couldn't help her. We all, as strangers, tried to comfort her. She did calm down a little, for we all tried to give her some kind of hope. I walked away, and just looked across the horizon, and stared at the WTC. A man walked up to me. Why he singled me out is a mystery to me. He offered to let me view with his high powered binoculars. I thought they couldn't have been that strong, but I took up his offer. When I looked, I was more than traumatized. I could actually see people waving frantically in the windows for help that would never come. There was a lady wearing a red suit, and waving (in sheer panic) what appeared to be a white hankerchief. My heart hurt. This was too much. I wondered how in the world could they get to these people and help them to safety. Then...it happened. The Tower started to collapse. To me, it was falling in slow motion. I saw the lady in red disappear. I must have fallen, for the next thing I knew, the man who offered me the binoculars was trying to help me up. I looked again. All I could see was one lone tower, alone, without its twin beside him, and alot of sickening black smoke and brown dust. I was in shock. No words can describe what I had just witnessed. And, those binoculars made it worse, for I was viewing as though I was in a building right across from the Towers. I don't recall how long it was before the second Tower went down. I just recall everyone screaming. Everything had become a blur. I had just witnessed human beings lose their lives as the first Tower collapsed. Shortly afterwards, I hugged everyone good-bye, and drove home. What could I do to help anyone? Many others left, too. We were all speechless, and helpless. When I returned home, my fiance said he didn't have to go into the City until they reopened it. He just had to help with the stock and inventory until then. I was relieved. I didn't know what else could happen, but I knew one thing. I had to go pick up my daughter from school. I wanted her home with me. Many parents had come to pick up their children, so I was not alone. I took my daughter to the bridge so she could see. She was shocked. I couldn't tell her what I had witnessed through those binoculars. God made it so I had to focus on her, and her many questions. And, my cats? They knew something had happened. Maybe they even heard it. But one thing's for sure; they sensed all was not well. I guess cats do have a sharp sense of when things aren't right. Now it's a year later, and two days. I pray for those souls who perished that day, and their families, and friends. I applaud the heroes who tried to rescue, and became victims themselves. I applaud all those who gave unselfish hours, days, and months of their lives to clean up the worst disaster in history. God bless all of these people. Since then, I have appreciated my life more. I share more time with my family and friends. I don't take anything for granted. I'm blessed to be stressed, because I have all of my children, and a very loving fiance. I don't complain as often. Life is precious. Live it to the fullest. We never know when it's our time to go to God. Be thankful for everything. And whenever you think you have it bad, just remember those who lost their loved ones at the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Do not forget those who perished in the airlines, either. Maybe then, you'll appreciate the life you have. I know I do. 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 story7000.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. 138.89.45.109 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 dropped off my children at school when I heard about N.Y. on the radio. I was going back home to get dressed for a funeral. I was a Pau Barer for our truck driver and friend who died of a heart attack while hog hunting with his 15 yr old grandson. This day already weigh heavy on my heart then to hear about everything else that happened around the U.S. I didn't know if I was going to be able to speak to anyone without crying. My head was spinning with thoughts of who to grieve for more. Or could I grieve any more than I already am. My heart wanted to explode. I wanted to be with my wife and children and hold them forever. I look at my children differently today than I did on 9-10. GOD truly has touched millions of lives in one way or another. 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 story2511.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. 204.181.202.56 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: On that fateful morning I was heading to work as a school bus driver for the town of Gilbert. It was about 5:30 in the morning when I was listening to a local radio station 98 KUPD when they begun mentioning the terrorist attacks. I listened to them talk about it and I was thinking dang this is a sick sick joke that they are playing. I stopped at a red light and had my window's down when another driver said to me "Can you beleive this?" I just told him no I just cant. I got to work and begun my route for my high school kids. After I dropped them off at their high school I called my husband and I told him to turn on the TV and to tell me if it was true or not. He just said in a dead tone "Yes its true." After my morning run was over I finally got to a TV and saw the second plane hit the tower and I just screamed inside. I could scream out loud. I was in total shock. Through out the day I was just glued to the TV watching the plane hit the tower over and over again. And to see those towers fall! And to see the pentagon being hit just made things feel oh so much worse. I was terrified that it may happen in my home town. And to hear nothing for days of aircraft not flying was the most eeriest thing ever. I pray every day for those who were lost that day and the families who were left behind. 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 story20329.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. 2006-09-08 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 68.98.96.39 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 work at a SUNY College in Binghamton, NY. I was working in my office and someone heard what was happening on their radio. We all scrambled to get on to a news site on our computers, only to find that it was impossible. One of the women in my office brought in a small television set and we stood there on and off for most of the morning horrified by the pictures and news details. The notice came out to leave work and go home. We all left work not knowing what would be next. I went home and watched the television for about 24 hours straight. For the next week everyone I knew watched night after night in horror. We lost 15 alumni from our University. I know there must have been several students on campus who lost relatives, friends, loved ones. I can still remember where I was when President Kennedy was killed and I will always remember where I was on September 11, 2001. It is hard to believe that anyone or anything could cause such mass destruction and devastation. I know that the world we live in will never be the same. My heart aches for all who have lost anyone in their senseless tragedy. God Bless the world!!!!! 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 story2546.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. 128.226.189.244 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 asleep on the couch and my telephoned rang and my mom was in a panic telling me to turn on the tv. So i turned it on and saw the 2nd plane crash.My oldest granddaughter had stayed home sick from school that day but the youngest had went that day . Well my mom kept telling me to come home but i felt safe where i was right after i got off the telephone a panic came to me and i rushed to the school to get my youngest grandchild. And then my husband called me paniced to because he was in New York.I didnt know what to do so i stayed home with my two kids watching tv aand comforting my kids because they were scared. I feel sorry for all the people who were lost aand for their families and friends. And i know the lives that were lost has went to a better place they sit with the lord and are angels who watch over all of us now they were taken to so from this earth to do thier deeds for god above.god bless them 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 story5943.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. 2002-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 216.166.192.93 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: AT ABOUT 9:15 am the morning bus driver told me about it. I was heading home on the bus at 2:30pm and I was stuck on the school bus and couldn't come home until 8:30pm!!! We tried I-80 it was bumper to bumper we tried Route 46 it was bumper to bumper! we tried Teaneck rd. IT WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER!!!!! At about 6:00 pm we tried a new bus because the driver needed to go back to the base.At last my Dad showed up & picked me up and got me home and I had to Thank him!!!!!. To get me home he avoided signs for the GWB.All the New York kids had to sleep over at the school because of the attack.I was lucky to get home and be with my Family and pets. It was a very long and sad day for me that I shall never forget. story submitted by Mom as told by son. Jason Fort Lee, NJ 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 story8423.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. 2002-10-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.12.96.206 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 a day like any other, I was living in South West Florida and it was a hot and sunny day. My college classes just began a few weeks before. I was taking classes to become an EMT, so on this particular day I had my first exam. The enitre class had just finished with the exam and our instructor collected them and stood in front of the class with the department head of the EMT division to tell us the horrible news. At this point all they knew and could tell us was that a plane had hit one of the Twin Towers. The class was stunned and several people left in tears. It wasn't a terrorist attack at this time, just an "accident." Our instructor released us early and by the time I had reached my truck, the other Tower was hit too. I sat there in shock, as I listened to my radio for the news. I thought it was the end of the world. I cried for the loss of life, I cried for the loss of innocense that consumed me, and I cried because New York was my home state. I had family there, and friends, and I was worried deeply worried for them all. By the time I could get home from class, the other 2 areas of the country had been struck with the tragedy as well. Even though the 9/11 attack didn't cause me to lose a loved one, I still felt the loss of life of so many fellow human beings and I prayed for the lost and wounded. I have never been the same. 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 story11410.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. 2005-05-20 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.100.202 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 8 1/2 months pregnant. I was at work and just turned on the tv to watch the news....i was watching wondering what had happened when i saw the second plane hiot the tower i was in bewilderment....could not believe what i just saw......at that time i felt a searing pain and fell to my knees....i called my mom and she came right over and took me to hospital....baby was not due until oct 12....i was scared but at the same time i knew it would have been allright,...see my birthday is on pearl harbor day....so in an eerie way i was calm....but at the hosp they decided to try to stop labor...it worked,,she came just a few weeks later,,,,so not only is it a day to remember always i have other reminders of that day also...i weep for all the loss of life and wish i could have truly helped,,,had i not been pregnant i would have gotten to ny just o thelp in some way....anyway my daily prayers go to all the ones who lost that day.....and to our nation who lost its " innocence" so to speak....god bless 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 story5498.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. 65.31.99.188 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: On September 11, 2001, I went to school just like every other normal Tuesday morning. During third period is when the planes had hit the World Trade Center. I forgot one of my books for fourth period, so I went to my locker to get it. As I walked pass the library in school, I saw a telelision in the hallway, and a group of kids just starring liflessly at the sight of heavy grey smoke. I just took a quick look, and figured it was a tape of something that they had to learn about that had happened in the past. Because being an American, I was so confident that we were the superior nation, and also, being only 13 at the time, I wouldn't think of such a thing happening without reason. So I hurried on my way, so that I wouldn't be late to class. In fourth period, I recieved some information about what had happened, but I was still confused, and we knew very little about it. As the day went on, that's all we could talk about in class. One of my teachers said, "It's like a fight; they have given us a bloody nose, but they will not win the fight." That made me feel much better, even though I could in no way comprehend all of the deaths on that day. I saw people leaving school and crying. By seventh period my school was almost empty. Then, I too, left school. When I got home, I starred at the t.v. watching the planes hit, over and over. It's all they had on almost every channel. I then wrote about it in my journel so that I can tell my children when they learn about it in school. I also made calls to my friend in Washington, D.C. who was in college, and my uncle who had been in the city for work that day to make sure they were all right. I will never forget that day. 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 story9308.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. 2003-05-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.209.8 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: Shock, disbelief, surreal. It couldn't possibly happen. Reality abruptly woke us from our naive sense of security and threw us into the harsh reality of vulnerability. My 11 year old son and I watched the news that night of videos of the attack. Over and over and over again as though we were trying to MAKE our brains comprehend the unimaginable. My son was too scared to go to school the next day. Tears of panic and fear convinced me to let him stay home with his grandparents. But I had to go to work; not because of a fear of reprisal, but because I was so angry that someone was trying to destroy my freedom, my way of life, my country. I wasn't going to allow that to happen. I needed to show my son that though I too was afraid, I will stand up and march on. I needed to show that to my students as well. I teach high school students who are new immigrants to this country. I teach them English. They needed to understand that the reasons their families came to this country were at risk. They,too, are a member of this great country. They, too, needed to stand united with all Americans of every nationality and do whatever they could--write letters, send gloves to the crews cleaning Ground Zero, pray. My American-born students, as well as my son, needed to wake up to the fact that their freedom is NOT free. Tens of thousands of men and women have died so that they may have the freedoms they enjoy today. Our history as a nation is founded on the basic principles of human rights, of government for, by and of the people. If they turned their cheek on this tragedy,they are at risk of losing the most basic freedoms. They understood this message. Even today, one year after the tragedy, I still remind my students what it means to be in America. When my students stand to say the pledge every morning, they now have a deeper comprehension of the frailty of their freedom and what the red stripes in our flag represent. They shall never forget. 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 story6946.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. 2002-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.12.96.8 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 get up early in the morning because I am a school bus driver for Gilbert Schools. I always get up and pray before I go and then watch a little news. This day I got up turned on the tv and watched in horror as a plane hit the first tower and then a few minutes later another. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was thunderstruck. My thoughts went to the people on the planes and in the towers, and then to the families. I got ready and got my children ready. They came in and watched the tv for a while. I listened to the radio on the way to the compound. I was listening to the radio on the bus as the stories of all the flights were crashing and what was being hit. It seemed like a scene from a movie only this one we were a part of it all. It was really happening. It was so hard to believe. All my students were getting on the bus with looks on their faces. By the time we got to school they were numb and werent sure if they wanted to go to school. I was in the middle of my first run when our supervisor announced that due to the nature of content that we turn off our radios. I had students that day who were crying and some who wanted to hug me before hey got off the bus. We aren't supposed to hug them, but that day I did. I said a little prayer for each of my kids as I left them at the school. I called my mom and family. I went to the church and members were gathering for prayer. I wasn't sure what to pray, I was still numb fromthe shock.I just called upon the Lord and started to pray for all the people. When I went back to work, there were tvs set up in the break areas. The reports of the calls the passengers had made were coming across the news. I had to go outside I couldn't hear anymore.We put on smiles as we went to pick up the students and take them home. Some had gone home with their parents and a few were still there. The ride that day was very quiet compared to their usual. I said my usual "have a nice evening" as they got off the bus. I went home and unlike many others that day I hugged my family and thanked God I had them to kiss and say goodnight too. 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 story4994.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. 206.149.192.140