story6815.xml

story6815.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I live in Southern Indiana, where my day began early on September 11, 2001. My husband and I had made plans to go out one of the lakes just outside Louisville, Ky. We arrived at the boat rental office about 5 til 9am. As we walked in the door, the TV was on and was telling how a plane had hit the World Trade Center. My best friend, my husband and I just stood there in shock. We continued to watch and speculate about how and why it happened, when suddenly another plane hit the other tower. I don't think anyone said anything for quite a few minutes. The only way to explain what was going on in my head is that for the first time in my 22 years, I thought of the U.S. as being volnerable. I have been pretty patriotic all of my life, but in that moment, the love for my country and the people in it grew in a way I never thought possible. We decided that if this was a terrorist attack then the worst thing we could do (having no means to go to the sight and help in that manner) would be to change our day and turn around and go home. We thought that if the world was going to war, it may be the last chance to have a relaxing day on the lake. We left on the boat before we heard about the Pentagon. When we came back about 5 hours later, we heard about the Pentagon and the plane in Pennsylvania. We rushed home to call relatives immediately. My best friend and myself having many family and friends in the DC Metro area who are directly associated with the Pentagon. We were blessed to find that none of our family or friends were injured. Also, my father-in-law, we found out, was on a bus on his way to the hotel right next to the Twin Towers when the first plane hit. From his account, the people on the bus took a vote to turn around. Thank goodness. My husband's cousin also worked at the WTC, and had just walked out of the subway when the first plane hit, and ran back into the tunnel and back onto the train, narrowly escaping falling glass and debris.
It has not been until a year later that I have been able to come close to grasping the enormousness of the event. After having the media repeat the crashes over an over again, I believe I became dull to the reality of it. I didn't want to believe that so many Americans could be killed in one such horrific event. I cannot express my sorrow for the lives that were lost that day. Also, the innocence of our generation. Also I have fought with not knowing how I should feel and if I have a right to cry. So many people lost parents, children, spouses, and friends, that I feel that I should be grateful for not losing anyone close to me. Yet, at the same time I think about all of the people who lost their lives and all of the lives that won't be touched by these many we lost. All of the children who won't be born, all of the important progresses that won't be made because the people who were to make them are no longer here. We have lost more than we can ever imagine. I can't help but cry for my children who will grow up wondering when the next attack will happen, something I never thought about as a child. I just hope that our country will not forget the passion, generousity, and true patriotism we have found this past year.