story3446.xml
Title
story3446.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-09-11
911DA Story: Story
Our morning started in the same way as any other school and work day. Our youngest daughter, a senior in High School had left for school. We were watching the Today show. Right in front of our eyes was the most fearful sight we had ever witnessed. Our America was under attack.
We have a son in the military and we immediately called him. Amazingly, he had not even been made aware of the situation yet. He too was shocked but more fitting, he was angry. He told us he was ready to do whatever his country needed him to do. We told him how proud we were of him and to remember that we loved him.
Our son-in-law is a border patrol agent in San Diego, Ca. Our daughter called us to tell us her husband was told to go home and pack his bags and to be at the airport in 2 hours. He was not told where he would be going. Our daughter was scared and yet so proud. Our son-in-law called that night to tell her that he was in New York City and would be guarding the airport. He would be there for 30 days at least and working 18 hours a day. He was able to check in with our daughter and their two small children daily. We did ask him if he had visited Ground Zero. He told us yes, and that he really did not want to talk about it.
The days that followed were such a blurr. Our country was walking in a daze. We were no exception.
Due to a recent car accident I was at home and could not quit watching the television. It made me cry, it made me mad and it also made me proud to be an American. It made me proud that we had a son serving his country and a son-in-law who was able to work as a Border Patrol Agent, his childhood dream.
We asked our soon to graduate daughter what she would like as a graduation gift and we were amazed that she told us that she wanted to go to New York City. She had already been there two times with her High School Choir, but she really wanted to go back. I remember her telling us after her first two visits that the people did not seem very friendly.
Two weeks after she graduated we went to New York City and spent a week enjoying the beautiful landmarks and yes, the FRIENDLY people. Everyone you walked by would smile, make eye contact and walk with a sense of pride. Our daughter was amazed. One morning I was looking out the hotel window to the busy street below. I heard a fire truck moving through the traffic. What I saw next still gives me the goosebumps. The people on the street stopped walking and saluted the firemen. I could not hold back the tears. Our daughter did not want to go to ground zero, but my husband and I did. As we were leaving to go and visit this tragic site, she decided that she did want to go. We got on a subway and made our way there. It was a quiet ride. There were hundreds of people gathered. You did not hear voices but just faint wispers and sobs. It was the most sobering place I had ever visited, even more sobering than when I visited the USS Arizona in Hawaii. This was not a military strike, my God it was innocent people who just wanted to work and live an honest living. As we walked on the surrounding streets, almost feeling badly that we were walking on the dust that was all around, made me wonder whose body dust I may be intruding upon. This should be a sacred area, I thought. Our daughter, who wanted this trip as a gift, sobbed quietly. You see, she had just been there 2 months before the attack and saw the Twin Towers with all their splendor and strength. As we left the area, we didn't converse much, what was there to say anyway? I could feel my heart pounding inside of me. My knees felt a little weak. My big strong husband had tears running down his cheek. This was an emotion he saved only for the loss of family or for joy at the birth of our children and grandchildren.
We walked away silently and decided that it was time to be strong and be proud to be an American. What better way to get this feeling than to take the ferry to see the Lady of Liberty. Standing there strong and beautiful, still welcoming people from all countries to this great AMERICA. On our subway trip back to our hotel, I found myself looking at people wondering if they had lost a loved one there. I said a silent prayer to give each person strength to go on. I can't pretend to know what the loved ones are feeling.
After a few days we left this great city of New York. I think we all three felt that we had left part of our souls behind. I do know, we left better AMERICANS!
Our daughter has returned to New York City again, but did not go back to ground zero.
My husband and I plan to visit again as soon as we can. We love NEW YORK CITY, it's people, it's strength and it's determination to go on. God Bless New York City and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
We have a son in the military and we immediately called him. Amazingly, he had not even been made aware of the situation yet. He too was shocked but more fitting, he was angry. He told us he was ready to do whatever his country needed him to do. We told him how proud we were of him and to remember that we loved him.
Our son-in-law is a border patrol agent in San Diego, Ca. Our daughter called us to tell us her husband was told to go home and pack his bags and to be at the airport in 2 hours. He was not told where he would be going. Our daughter was scared and yet so proud. Our son-in-law called that night to tell her that he was in New York City and would be guarding the airport. He would be there for 30 days at least and working 18 hours a day. He was able to check in with our daughter and their two small children daily. We did ask him if he had visited Ground Zero. He told us yes, and that he really did not want to talk about it.
The days that followed were such a blurr. Our country was walking in a daze. We were no exception.
Due to a recent car accident I was at home and could not quit watching the television. It made me cry, it made me mad and it also made me proud to be an American. It made me proud that we had a son serving his country and a son-in-law who was able to work as a Border Patrol Agent, his childhood dream.
We asked our soon to graduate daughter what she would like as a graduation gift and we were amazed that she told us that she wanted to go to New York City. She had already been there two times with her High School Choir, but she really wanted to go back. I remember her telling us after her first two visits that the people did not seem very friendly.
Two weeks after she graduated we went to New York City and spent a week enjoying the beautiful landmarks and yes, the FRIENDLY people. Everyone you walked by would smile, make eye contact and walk with a sense of pride. Our daughter was amazed. One morning I was looking out the hotel window to the busy street below. I heard a fire truck moving through the traffic. What I saw next still gives me the goosebumps. The people on the street stopped walking and saluted the firemen. I could not hold back the tears. Our daughter did not want to go to ground zero, but my husband and I did. As we were leaving to go and visit this tragic site, she decided that she did want to go. We got on a subway and made our way there. It was a quiet ride. There were hundreds of people gathered. You did not hear voices but just faint wispers and sobs. It was the most sobering place I had ever visited, even more sobering than when I visited the USS Arizona in Hawaii. This was not a military strike, my God it was innocent people who just wanted to work and live an honest living. As we walked on the surrounding streets, almost feeling badly that we were walking on the dust that was all around, made me wonder whose body dust I may be intruding upon. This should be a sacred area, I thought. Our daughter, who wanted this trip as a gift, sobbed quietly. You see, she had just been there 2 months before the attack and saw the Twin Towers with all their splendor and strength. As we left the area, we didn't converse much, what was there to say anyway? I could feel my heart pounding inside of me. My knees felt a little weak. My big strong husband had tears running down his cheek. This was an emotion he saved only for the loss of family or for joy at the birth of our children and grandchildren.
We walked away silently and decided that it was time to be strong and be proud to be an American. What better way to get this feeling than to take the ferry to see the Lady of Liberty. Standing there strong and beautiful, still welcoming people from all countries to this great AMERICA. On our subway trip back to our hotel, I found myself looking at people wondering if they had lost a loved one there. I said a silent prayer to give each person strength to go on. I can't pretend to know what the loved ones are feeling.
After a few days we left this great city of New York. I think we all three felt that we had left part of our souls behind. I do know, we left better AMERICANS!
Our daughter has returned to New York City again, but did not go back to ground zero.
My husband and I plan to visit again as soon as we can. We love NEW YORK CITY, it's people, it's strength and it's determination to go on. God Bless New York City and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Collection
Citation
“story3446.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 16, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/11893.