story5132.xml

story5132.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

On September 11, 2001 I was working for a Temp agency and I was assigned to work for "Eron" for 3 weeks as an administrative assistant. I was on my way to work about 7:30am. As I was driving to work which was located in Hinsdale, IL just about 30 minutes from where I live, I decided to turn on the radio to listen to some music. Flipping thru the channels to find a Christian station, at that time, I believe it was alittle after 8:00am, I heard the DJ ManCow from Q101FM annouce that one of the twin towers were just struck by an airplain, and then all of a sudden he yelled out again, "Oh my God!, folks another plain just hit the second tower!".

I was puzzled just as everyone else was driving down the street that morning. The traffic completely stopped and paused for a moment or two. No one was moving, and everyone just looked at eachother with confusion and fear in their faces. Finally as the traffic began to move once again, I finally reached my destination and came into work and everyone was focused on the TV watching the news and the events of what had just happened. We were all told to leave home for the rest of that day. As I was driving back home, it seemed as though the world had just stopped. It was very quiet that day. I was glued to the TV for the rest of the day and evening, and gathered with my neighbors outside in front of our apartment building talking with one another about the tragedy. I was in shocked that whole day. It was just so hard to beleive that this happened in our country, especially in New York! I thought alot about my family in Wisconson and in Croatia. Later on that day, I called my parents who live in Wissonsin, and then called the rest of my family who live in Croatia just so that I can hear their voices. I came from Croatia to the United States when I was about 8yrs old. I feel very fortunate and greatful that I live here in the United States, and that I have many opportunites and freedom. I speak 4 other languages besides learning English when I came here to the US. I was facinated by the many different cultures and people that lived here in the United States. That is probubly why I chose to live in Chicago for the rest of my life. I believe that this country has given many people their dreams and a life full of hope, education, and opportunites. I feel very blessed to be here. When Croatia and Serbia was at war in 1991/92, I felt sorrow and pain for both sides. Loosing my cousin in that war devistated our family. It was hard for me to imagine what war could be like when I was not living their anymore. All I could do is pray. Pray that God would touch everyone in their hearts and keep peace with one another.

We are all "human". We are all "living people" who breath the same air to stay alive each day that passes until it is our time to leave this precious earth. I never thought that such evil could try to distroy our freedom here in the United States. The word is "try" but evil has not succeeded. We have become better Americans and we have come together in "Unity" no matter who we are or where we came from! We all need to stay strong for one another and continue to live ours lives for the sake of those wo have lost theirs. I will never forget the day of 09/11/2001, it will always be in my heart. God bless all the families that have lost their loved ones, and God bless America and God Bless You!!!