story7497.xml

story7497.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-15

I had taken a group of people on a cruise to Nassau. I got off the ship to go see the remains of the Straw Market which had burned to the ground the week before we arrived. I stopped in a shop where the clerks were all standing around listening to the radio. One of them said, "You should listen to this; it's your country they're talking about. As I listened with more and more horror, people kept coming in and listening. I left the shop and went into another where the same situation was being played out. I went on to the hole which had been the straw market, took a quick look and then headed back to the ship. I was stopped more than once by Bahamians who expressed sympathy and support. I returned to the ship, and stayed glued to the TV for the remainder of the cruise. We were not sure we'd be able to return home as all ports of entry to the US were closed. The cruise line (Carnival) made efforts to get everyone home as quickly as possible, and dropped all long distance and internet charges for the day, so that we could get in touch with friends and family to advise them we were OK. As I watched the events on TV, I couldn't help but compare the hole in downtown Nassau to the HOLE in NYC.

It's a situation I would prefer never to be in again. I only wanted to be home with my family, to hold and love them.

I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, AND I THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR ALLOWING ME TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE I AM FREE.