story1243.xml
Title
story1243.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-08-19
911DA Story: Story
At that time i was employed by an americam compagny in belgium, and it was about noon when we heard on the radio what happened, it started with the report of 1 plane flying into the wtc, the first opinions were that is was an accident, than we heard about the second, from that point on we were in schock, terrorist attacks ??? in america ?? we couldnt believe it . and again a special newsflash; "two more planes have crashed in the usa, one of them has destroyed the pentagon", from that point on all activity in the technical division (my section) stopped , and everyone was gathered around the radio, and by 4 o'clock when we went home, it was clear as glass that this was the worst thing that happened to the usa since world war2.
at that time, we had a inspection from headquearters, and that man had to find out what happened trought the internet at our personnel offices, he went into shock, and had to be calmed down by a couple of employees, but the biggest problem was yet to come, getting the man in contact with his family in the states. all trans-atlantic lines where busy, finally , after about 2 hours of trying he got to speak to his family trough a private line of the us embassy. he had to remain in belgium for 2 weaks, but called his family twice a day to inform after the situation.
on september 11, both the compagny and american flag were put up at the flagpost outisde the plant, one day later the security staff was doubled, and at night all gates were locked and checked every half hour; and 2 days later the flags were taken down because of threats towards the plantcoming from muslim comunities. 2 (muslim) employes were fired because of their way of thinking : on 12 september they claimed that the attacks were a good thing, they were overwhelmed with negative reactions from their collegues, and had to clarifie their words at the personal offices, and there they repeated their statement, which was sufficient for immediant termination of their contracts.
when looking back on the whole situation, it still amazes me how a few sick minds, guided by a crazy man, can turn the world into chaos, and can kil thousand of people under the disguise of an "holy war".
at that time, we had a inspection from headquearters, and that man had to find out what happened trought the internet at our personnel offices, he went into shock, and had to be calmed down by a couple of employees, but the biggest problem was yet to come, getting the man in contact with his family in the states. all trans-atlantic lines where busy, finally , after about 2 hours of trying he got to speak to his family trough a private line of the us embassy. he had to remain in belgium for 2 weaks, but called his family twice a day to inform after the situation.
on september 11, both the compagny and american flag were put up at the flagpost outisde the plant, one day later the security staff was doubled, and at night all gates were locked and checked every half hour; and 2 days later the flags were taken down because of threats towards the plantcoming from muslim comunities. 2 (muslim) employes were fired because of their way of thinking : on 12 september they claimed that the attacks were a good thing, they were overwhelmed with negative reactions from their collegues, and had to clarifie their words at the personal offices, and there they repeated their statement, which was sufficient for immediant termination of their contracts.
when looking back on the whole situation, it still amazes me how a few sick minds, guided by a crazy man, can turn the world into chaos, and can kil thousand of people under the disguise of an "holy war".
Collection
Citation
“story1243.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 1, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/14393.