story11259.xml

story11259.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2005-01-18

I heard about 9/11/01 from my father's sister. That morning, I went about my normal business. When I was half awake and still in bed, I over heard my clock radio alarm. My mind didn't register what happened. I didn't know about what had happen until 10 o'clock (central timezone) that morning. When my aunt called, she sounded worried. I got a little confused and asked what was wrong. She didn't answer my question at first. She wanted to know where Dad was. I said that he just flew to Denver the day before on 9/10/01. At this point, I still didn't know what was going on. I asked her what happened. She told me to turn on the TV, and I did. I was glued to the TV for the rest of the day. I had a doctor's appointment that day, but I was too scared to go out. I cancelled it. At first, I didn't really feel anything when 9/11. I was stoic. I went about my business as if nothing had happened. Now, I am feeling the pain of that day. I was 18 when 9/11 happened. Now I am 22. I have numerous magazines, books, bookmarked websites and a fictional movie based on 9/11. I have the 9/11 Commission Report. I am going through these things, and I am just now coming to grips with 9/11. I would call it delayed shock, but I don't know if that's the correct term. I don't know any of the victims personally, but I am still mourning for one of the victims that was on United Airlines Flight 175 when it slammed into the South Tower. His surname was the same as mine. His name was W. Menzel. He was from Germany. My family origins are from Germany. I am German, but I was born in America. Even though I have never been to Germany, I am still very proud to be a German. If though I don't know this man, I still consider him family. It took me several years to find out W. Menzel was on one of the planes. When I saw his name, I felt very sad. My belief is that if people have the same last name but they don't know the other person, they are still somehow related. They are just from another branch of the same family name. I didn't know this man, but it is very likely that we are somehow related even though it might be very distant. I still mourn his loss and I feel very sad for his family. This man, I feel, indirectly connects me to 9/11.

May all the victims of 9/11 rest in peace. May the victims' families find comfort from their loss. May God forgive the people who caused all this pain and loss. God bless America and the world. Thank you.