story8028.xml

story8028.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-20

I was just finishing a night shift as the charge nurse at the major nursing home in this NE Oregon city of 17,000 people. I was on the ground level in an alert and oriented patient's room working and giving medications and we saw the first plane crash into the side of the WTC and watched the horrible black smoke rise from it. Neither of us could talk because we were so shocked and horrified. I prayed silently for the people in the building and the plane, and then I finally said that was terrible and I hoped every one got out ok. Then I went upstairs to continue working and someone said that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. Someone else said "No, it was the WTC." I said "I hate to say this, but maybe it was both." Unfortunately, I was correct. That's the worst thing I've ever been correct about. It's the one time I wish I had been wrong. As I went to my apartment to sleep, Pendleton was all excited about the beginning of the world famous Pendleton Round-Up, and there was lots of traffic as cowboys, entertainers, and rodeo fans entered town. There was a debate on whether the Round-Up shoule be cancelled that year, but it was decided to hold it, because we were going to let the terrorists know that they had not destroyed our sense of independence and that they had a long way to go to win this war, and that we are not easily intimidated and wiiling to give up our freedoms. At the Round-Up, we had a moment of silence for the victims of this horrible attack, several of whom called Oregon home. I prayed at home with my family for those affected and worried about the welfare of my father who was known to travle to the NY area at times. He was okay, so my prayer was answered positively. I offered my nursing services and gave a donation to the Red Cross, but I was not needed at the time, and I have children, so they wanted me to stay with them. I started school to further my education, and wrote an extensive paper on and became educated in biological and chemical weapon attacks but I hope I never have to use this knowledge.