story2492.xml

story2492.xml

born-digital

story

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2002-09-11

I was at work on the 3rd Floor of the Federal Building on the fateful morning of September 11, 2001. We had just concluded an office meeting around 8:50 when we began receiving phone calls from friends and relatives. They were all saying that a tower of the World Trade Center had been hit by a jet confiscated by terrorists. As the events of the morning unfolded, our entire staff at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court gathered in my office. We listened to live radio reports and attempted to access CNN's website for any information. Everyone who came into our building was terrified to be there, afraid we would be a possible target.

After all 4 planes had crashed at 3 different locations and thousands were feared dead, all 13 of us formed a circle and joined hands and immediately began to pray. We were absolutely terrified but we knew no one could handle this situation except God Almighty himself! I clearly remember the hairs on the back of my neck standing straight up. It was unimaginable! We were all sobbing and voicing our concerns about going to war (for there was no question that this meant war)! We all had this overwhelming urge to rush to our children's schools and hold them as tight as we could, to call our husbands and wives to say We Love You!

I had no doubt in my mind that our President would make sure that those responsible for this tragedy would eventually be brought to justice. This act did not demoralize our country, take away our freedom or lessen our resolve but it did make us more determined than ever to uphold those principles we hold so dear.

Rhonda Gentry
Federal Building
Rome, GA USA