story6336.xml

story6336.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I was leaving for work around 10:30 a.m. When I turned on the car radio I heard what I thought to be a normal news break, so i flipped the channel. Same scenario. I flipped the channel and again, news. I decided to listen since it was not common that all the channels were having a news break at the same time. That's when I started to put the pieces together. I realized that something terrible had happened in New York, then the Pentagon. I was in shock. When I got to work everyone was at the bar watching the TV. Some of our country club members didn't come in that day. It was obvious that the country had been the center of somenone's sick plot. I thought, "why us?" Some of the other waitresses were crying, while others were obviously mad. Then it hit me--the U.S.A. WOULD fight back. There was no doubt in my mind that this would turn even uglier because of the cowardly way the terrorists attacked. Then another thought, my sister-in-law was an officer in the Army. Now the attack had hit me personally. I became very upset. My bartender asked me what was wrong, and then I told him about Nikki and her husband being in the Army. He just gave me hug and said "Everything will work out. They'll get the people that did this. She may not even have to go anywhere." Why did it seem that there was little or no comfort in the situation? I talked to my sister and she informed me that my brother had just moved to New York that summer. Once again, another personal attack. We didn't hear from him for a few days so we were all worried about him. Thankfully he was fine and unharmed, as was his family and in-laws. I just thought for days how evil people can be. I put my sister-in-law's army picture up in my window with an American flag. It is still there, reminding me every day of what we have suffered and the heroes waiting to defend our country. Nikki has not had to go overseas, but there is always that possibility. I am so grateful to those already in Afghanistan and other places defending our country's honor and strength. WIthout them, where would this country be? I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER.