story225.xml

story225.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-03-11

I am Megan S.Gates,

I didn't loose anyone close to me on September 11, but I still left school that day in tears. I live in Johnstown NY, about 3 1/2 hours north of NYC. I am a senior at Schenectady Christian School. When I woke up that morning I just felt that something wasn't going to be right. Of course, I didn't accept what actually happened. I was wearing my purple sweater and my tan skirt, as I sat in 1st period Philosphy class. Our headmaster opened the door and told us that a plane had hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. All of us wondered how could a plane do that, but didn't give that much though to it. Eight minutes later, he came in again, saying that another plane had hit the south tower of the World Trade Center. By that time we knew that something was going on, but didn't know what. We went to our next class, where 20 minutes later we were told about the Pentegon and that another plane was possibly high-jacked. We then knew that this was not going to be a normal day. We turned on TV's and tried to figure out what was going on. Then the two towers collapsed in front of our eyes. I then tried to help students who felt that their family members may not have survived. As it was for one of my friends, her uncle left the north tower for a coffee, seconds before it was hit. Flight 93 then crashed. The media, however, kept giving sketchy information on where the crash was in Pennsylvania. Of course who could blame the media. They were doing their best in the worst of situations. But I knew that my sister was in Philedelphia, and I just wanted to be sure she was safe. Through a miracle, I was able to reach my Father and to ask him about my sisters. He said that two of them had already called to say they were safe, but the third had not yet called. I then started praying that she would be safe. I knew that today, aynthing was possible. My school then had a prayer service, and updated us on what was going on. After the prayer service, our 5th grade teacher got a horrific call. Her brother-in-law had been on flight 93, her sister-in-law is Lisa Beamer. I finally got a hold of my father again, and my sister was fine. But that didn't make me feel any better. That day consists of a lot of running around, trying to find the latest news, helping, praying, listening to the president, etc... My Mom came to pick me up. I ran to give her a hug, and I told her, "Mom, I know the story of Pearl Harbor, and I have seen the movie, but I never thought I would see it in person." The Lord is with us and will help this country in this war. God Bless America.