story2554.xml

story2554.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

A very good friend in Newfoundland informed me of the tragic news on September 11,2001, immediately when I logged onto a chatline for our daily visit. I was in total disbelief reading what was sent until I tuned to the television news and witnessed with thousands the terrible scenes being reported. I could not begin to imagine the extent of the damage, the confusion and distruption to life in New York and Washington, D.C., the realization of loss in human life, nor the deep anger toward those who commited such a heinous and cowardly act. Equally, however, I was deeply emotionally affected witnessing from miles away, hundreds of police and firefighters responding without regard to their personal saftety to assist others. Seeing hundreds of individuals helping one another escape from the buildings or obtain medical aid caused me to appreciate how strong and caring Americans are. As the day progressed I became more and more confident that we WOULD SURVIVE and WOULD NOT allow such acts to diminish the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Through the pain and anger of the day, I recall my deepest feeling being one, not of hopelessness but one of resolve as one PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!