story5111.xml

story5111.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 started out like any other day at my workplace. We repair all types of electronic equipment, including computers, and a little before 9:00 am a customer rang the bell of our walk-in repair counter to drop off a broken laptop. He rang the bell four times in quick succession, and my coworker and I looked at each other and figured we had another impatient customer on our hands. In fact, the man had heard on his car radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. My first thought was disbelief, but the man was very insistent, and we began to discuss what kind of accident might have occurred.

While we were talking, a few repair technicians walked by, saying that the TV department had put CNN on a big screen TV for everyone to find out what was happening. I walked back there to see about 20 people gathered around, but no one was talking. Everyone was completely focused on the screen in front of them, and when I looked, I could see why. The images I saw of the plane crashing into the second tower were unbelievable, and I know I will always see it in my mind just as clearly as I saw it on TV that day.

I had been to the Trade Center Observation Deck for the second time just four months before with my sister, Dana, her college roommate, Katie, and my boyfriend, Rich, for their spring break. We all posed in front of the Twin
Tower skyline backdrop and bought the picture as a silly tourist memento because Katie had never been to New York City before. She was so impressed with the view, we took pictures from every angle. We had a wonderful time that weekend and I keep the photo in our guest bedroom.

So when I saw the horror of what took place that awful day, my first thoughts went to the young men & women who worked at the fast food and concession stands on the Observation Deck, and the sinking feeling that they couldn't possibly have gotten down in time. I remember sitting on the floor of the ladies restroom and crying so hard I couldn't catch my breath.

Being only about 40 minutes outside of New York City, my company shut down early in order for everyone to try and reach loved ones, and safely reunite. I am so thankful that everyone I knew in the city turned out to be alright.

The events of that day have affected many aspects of life in our country, but I think more importantly, it has affected us all on a personal level as well as a national one. Even in one of the darkest times of our nation's history, the overwhelming courage, support and brotherhood that came out in such full force gives me hope that one day, we can unite like that in good times as well as bad. I will never forget.