story3227.xml

story3227.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was in my office. I heard my receptionist say "oh, my God?" I was not overly concerned because Shirley is always saying "Oh, my God?" when someone is out and not feeling well - good news or bad. The next thing I knew someone said "a plane hit the World Trade Center." At first we kind of thought it was accidental - a small plane off course or something. Then, the other plane hit and televisions went on in two of our conference rooms. About ten of us were just watching in silence the replays of both planes hitting the towers. No one was really talking we were all too stunned. I called my sister to make sure she was okay. About 10:30 our managing partner closed the office. As I walked to So. Station in Boston to catch the commuter rail train home, people were walking zombie-like along the streets of downtown Boston. I could help but look up at the tall buildings surrounding me and thinking of those in the twin towers and of the possibility of attacks in Boston. It was all so surreal. I went home and waited for my two daughters to get home from school and we just watched television together. In the following days and weeks, I put flags on my house and car and lit candles and attended planned and impromptu services and ceremonies. In my small town south of Boston, a few people gathered in front of the town hall on Friday - Sept. 14 with candles and flags. Within an hour there were several hundred people including my two daughters and myself (who were driving by and saw the group) were walking through the center of town waving flags and carrying candles and chanting "USA" and then all went back to the town hall and began singing patriotic songs - it made us feel like we were doing something. That Sunday there was an interfaith service at our high school - hundreds and hundreds of people brought there own candles and, wearing red white and blue shirts and sweaters, we sang and listened to prayers from all races and religions. What a wonderful and strong country we are and through all the horror and sadness we only grew stronger and more determined to preserve our freedom and way of life. As I sit at my computer on September 11, 2002 unable to do much but read stories of all the heroes on that day - those that died tragically and unexpectedly, the heroes on Flight 93 who may have saved hundreds or thousands of lives, and the countless firefighters, police and rescue workers, all I can say is may God Bless You All and God Bless America!!