story9626.xml

story9626.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-11

I REMEMBER

I remember when my co-worker said, ? A plane just hit the world trade center?
My first thoughts were of a small plane misguided and unfortunate who?s pilot probably died instantly.

I remember watching the news on a small TV with very poor reception
My next thoughts were the hole in the building was much much too large

I remember seeing and hearing the second plane hit the adjoining tower
My heart froze as I realized the horror of what I had just witnessed

I remember looking around the room and the rest of the office and manufacturing floor
My eyes registering the pain, disbelief, shock, concern and silence of my co-workers

I remember observing individuals actually hanging onto steel girders on the outside of the building
My head spinning with the thought that they could actually do that

I remember the cloud of smoke billowing up behind the White House
My fears of an attack on our capitol in the making

I remember how utterly quiet the rest of the day was
My workplace, my car, my ride home, my house, my neighborhood, my long night

I remember feeling secure that my extended family had just got together the previous week
My sense of guilt at the thousands of families who will never again have that feeling

I remember how helpless, how devastated, how empty it felt to witness these events
My own well-being and independence in serious question

I remember the flight in Pennsylvania and what could possibly have motivated those people
My pride in the common American citizen sending a well of tears to my eyes

I remember the fireman, policeman, EMT?s , nurses and doctors ignoring their own safety for others
My heart breaking now more so than ever before in my life

I remember the flag being draped over the Pentagon, the flag being raised at ground zero, the thousands of volunteers, the onlookers cheering the efforts of these people, the loved ones searching for days never wanting to give up hope, the look of the NYC fire commissioner when he told us of the 340 missing firefighters, the manager of an investment company crying for the loss of his employees, the news anchor of CBS crying, the comedians not being able to do their jobs, the newsman from Canada , the song ?I?m proud to be an American?.

But, most of all.

I Remember
Richard J Brodeur
Citizen USA