story6402.xml

story6402.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

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.