story5477.xml

story5477.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

My story isn't really personal in that I knew no one there (at any of the sites), nor was I anywhere near. My story is rather one of radical change in attitude. I never liked New York. Was there a couple of times in 1968 when I was in the Army. Actually, I did like Greenwich Village, but by and large cared not for the City, and by association tended to not like the entire state. 9-11 changed that. In part because I felt that America had been attacked, but much deeper was the feeling of connection with all those individual people who had survived or died, firemen, policemen....everyday working people, and the horrors of that day that they endured. I used to think New Yorkers were cold and insensitive. No more. I saw incredible acts of bravery and selfless concern for others by people who in committing those acts put themselves at great risk, and, in some cases, doomed themselves. Now, when I see pictures of New York City, I seem to notice the smaller buildings more. The scenes which could be in most any small town anywhere in America. People who look just like people I see every day here in rural Kentucky. People I can feel and feel for. I say now that I love New York and it's people. A city of people who came together in the face of madness in a way that should be an example for all of us. God bless them all.