story3450.xml

story3450.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

My 13 year old son was home sick from school and I was scheduled to work second shift that day. I am currently a detective with the Raleigh Police Department. My son, not feeling well, was on the couch watching television. When the news broke he called me into the family room from the kitchen. At first I thought as many Americans did that maybe this was a terrible accident. However, when the second plane hit the towers I knew we were under attack. Being a police officer and having a military past I guess sometimes I always see the worst in things. I called my wife at work and told her to turn on the television and then we spoke on the phone as we continued to watch the television. When the first tower fell - I knew that hundreds of firefighters and police officers would be lost as well as the employees of those structures. I remember having the horrible feeling that I was helpless. I remember telling my son that OUR PRESIDENT would not stand for this and we were NOW at war. My son and I were glued to the television as all of the events of that horrible morning unfolded. My family had just recently taken a trip to DC and had driven by the Pentagon. My son talked about how we as Americans had been violated. Ever since that date he has spoken of his desire to fly jets for the military. He made me proud to be an American. I went to work that afternoon and because I am no longer a patrolman out on the street I was not required to answer 911 calls. The other detectives on my squad and I stayed in the squad room and watch news reports unfold on the television. The day seemed to last forever. 09-11-2001 - I'll never forget.