story4591.xml

story4591.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I remember I got to work around 8:30 am to open the office for the day. At approximately 8:55 my office manager called on the private line to say that a plane hit the World Trade Center Tower and to go the waiting room and turn on the TV set. I remember sitting there watching in horror as the second plane hit and knowing that it wasn't an accident that we were under attack. My first thoughts were of my husband and my sons. I had two sons in college at the time one in Florida and one here in New York near New York City. My third son was at our local Jr. High. I called my husband to see if he had heard and he had. He said work was going as usual and he would see me later that night. I called our local Jr. High and they said the children knew what was going on they were all watching TV sets throughout the school and that the school was going to remain open but it any parent wanted to come and get their children they were more than welcome to do so. I was able to reach my son that is in Oneonta, near NYC and he was fine classes had been cancelled for the day because alot of students there had family members in NYC. He was doing okay watching what was going on his TV in his room. My son in Florida it took most of the day before I could reach him because he was out on the ocean for his marine biology course. He goes to Florida Tech in Melbourne. The boat he was on was called back in by the school after news broke because they were near Cape Canaveral. My son said that classes were also cancelled because Florida Tech has alot of foreign students from the middle east and the school was fearful of problems developing. I had to stay at work all day as working for a physician and being a nurse I needed to be there for the patients even though my heart was with my family and all the families that had someone working in NYC. It was an extremely hard day to get through. Many tears were shed. I remember all I wanted to do was go home and hug my family. It was one of the first times when I wished my children had chosen a college closer to home so I could be with them. I still look back on that day and the days after and wonder how we managed to function and go on with our lives when so many other lives were in turmoil. I know I will never forget how I felt when I heard and saw what was happening on that day. To everyone who was in NYC and Washington DC that day my prayers were with you. To the families of the victims my heart goes out to you and your loved ones I just can't imagine what they must have been going thru. God Bless America! May this never happen to us again. Bobbi Reles, Syracuse, NY