story4083.xml

story4083.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

It?s funny how a moment can be permanently etched in your mind. But I will always remember exactly what I was doing the moment I learned about the horrors that occurred on September 11. I was sitting at my desk, talking to one of my co-workers who had come into my office. Our conversation was lighthearted. It was a beautiful September morning in Ohio, and the sun was shining brightly outside.

Then, I heard my cell phone ringing. I told my co-worker, ?My purse is ringing,? and we both laughed as she left my office and I answered my phone. It was my fianc?. He had taken the morning off work and was watching TV. He told me that there was an explosion at the World Trade Center. I remember a feeling of disbelief at his statement. I told him that had happened a long time ago (I was referring to the bombing at the WTC in 1993). He told me that it was happening right now, that two planes had hit the World Trade Center. He had seen the second plane hit on live television.

I hung up and wandered out to find some of my other co-workers. By then, a few of them had also heard about it, and we all gathered in the center conference room and turned on the TV. We were horrified when we learned that a plane had also hit the Pentagon. Later, I watched both towers collapse on live TV. It was sickening to witness, knowing that people inside were dying at that very instant.

We stayed glued to the TV all morning and afternoon, none of us quite able to grasp how this could happen to us here in America. I called my parents and sister and best friend and talked to them about the events. One thing was clear?every one of us was in shock.

Our boss ended up letting us go home early because none of us could concentrate on working. I remember driving home, listening to the radio, unable to understand how something like this could actually happen. I drove by a flag, which had been lowered to half-mast, and felt all of this emotion well up in my heart.

Although I did not know anyone personally who died in the terrorist attacks, I still cried for all of those people who did lose their lives that day. September 11 was a terrible day in our nation?s history, one that none of us will ever be able to forget in our lifetimes. Today, September 11, 2002, the one-year anniversary has been a solemn day. No one at my work has laughed much, the phone has not been ringing much, there is a respectful silence in the atmosphere.

September 11 is a day that should never be forgotten. I am so proud to be an American! I love my country and I pray for her healing.