story9516.xml
Title
story9516.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2003-09-09
911DA Story: Story
Hi there. My name is Terri and i'm a 24 year old student from Newfoundland Canada. I just wanted to tell my memories of 9/11.
Never in my lifetime will I ever forget 9/11...NEVER. I remember coming back to my residence from a class to find the tv on and my roommate talking on the phone. The shocking image I found on the tv caught my eye immediately. I remember asking my roommate "Isn't that the World Trade Center in NYC?". She hung up the phone and we both sat down to listen.
We were talking so loudly that the Residence Assistant came to our room to tell us to keep it down...but once he saw what was going on...he watched too. Soon, there was around 30 people in my little room watching the first tower burn.
I thought to myself "Surely this must be some horrific accident. Nobody would even think to do such a thing on purpose". I remember saying my thought out loud and not two seconds later did we witness...live...the second plane ripping through the second tower. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of all the innocent people that had just died before my eyes on tv. Real people - moms, dads, children...I was simply horrified. Then I said it out loud "My God...New York is being attacked. The planes struck the towers on purpose!" People in that room started to cry and hug each other. I just couldn't register what was going on. It was too hard to believe.
As the morning went on, we listened and watched the pictures of another plane striking into the Pentagon. I told my friend "It's not just New York anymore...America itself is under attack!"
We were intently listening to every word the newscaster on CNN was saying and then he grew silent. To everyones shock and horror, one of the towers collapsed and was simply gone. That's when we started to cry openly...some people like myself sobbing. First there were two towers...and then only one. I just couldn't believe how things were unfolding. The whole room then stopped talking and we prayed. We prayed that somehow...SOMEHOW the second tower would be ok and that the people still trapped inside would have time to get out alive. But the tower was too far gone I guess. A short time later we watched the second tower crumble just like the first. All that was left was a tall area of smoke and dust. There were no words...NO words to describe how we all felt.
As the day went on, the news of the fourth plane crashing took us by surprise. I just didn't want to believe that it was starting again. But as we found out that this plane, which was supposed to hit another targer, was taken back by the passengers...we cried. We cried because of the courage shown by those brave men and women who chose to fight back and gave the ultimate sacrifice so others wouldn't have to die.
Never during that day did I think that those attacks, other than emotionally, would effect me. But I was wrong. In the middle of the day, a large blood drive was held and we were told it was for the people in New York. I jumped to my feet and ralleyed as many people as I could find to come with me to give blood. I told people that weren't for the idea "It's the very least we can do...this is our chance to help them". That sentence did it for most people. The blood clinic was so crowded. Most people from my university went to give blood and the clinic had to extend the time it was open!
That night, as my group continued to watch the news, a house meeting was called. We got dressed and went downstairs to see what was going on. There was a representative from the volunteer commitee at MUN and he was asking for our help. He told us of the planes that were being diverted here from the USA and the stranded passengers were going to be put up at our university. He wanted some volunteers to help them get ready for the influx of an expected 600 people. My entire house of 68 people said "We're there" and we got ready for an unforgettable night.
We went over to the student center where the passengers were going to stay. We helped to set up the cots, break open the university's emergency supplies and got everything ready. I myself helped also to get some translators on the go since we were expecting people from all over the world. We tried to think of everything these people would need such as phone service, care for those with disabilities and so on. The provincial phone company heard what were were doing and volunteered to set up over a dozen phoned with long distance service free of charge so that the passengers could call loved ones. We had a room set up for people with disabilities and people on hand to assist them.
Some people had to go back to rez because they had classes the next morning and it was already around 1am. I had class too...but thought staying to help to be much more important. In the end, around 12 of us stayed to help when people arrived. We were given jobs, like giving tours, and showing people to their cots and so on. I was one of the people to show people to their cots. When the people finally arrived, it was very overwhelming for me. All I could think of was "This tragedy is actually effecting me...here in Newfoundland". I showed grateful passengers to their cots and did my best to answer peoples questions about what had happened in New York. They weren't given much information on the planes and were finding out the terrible news from us.
I met this one woman who was in tears shortly after she had finished a phone call. I went up to her and asked if there was anything I could do. She told me that her nephew was one of those killed on the attack at the Pentagon. She was alone on this trip and had nobody she knew to turn to. So I stayed with her and listened to her stories of how promising a life her nephew was leading. I was honored to be hearing the story of one of those killed in these attacks.
I saw no classes over the next five days! I was too busy helping the stranded passengers. If anything good came out of these attacks, it was bringing out the best in people to help those in need during a crisis. Dozens of restaurants around the city donated food for the passengers. People had donated clean clothes, towels, blankets and toys for the children. Businesses around town donated essentials such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes for everyone. The citywide bus service had free transportation all over the city so the passengers could go sightseeing. And everyone were offering their time to just talk to the passengers and offer a friendly ear.
The university itself also had a hand in keeping things lively. Plays, concerts and socials were planned to keep everyone busy and as happy as possible. I remember during one social, one man got up and offered a toast...a toast to everyone who had lost their life in the attacks on America. We all stood silent for a long time...remembering lives lost. Then that man thanked us for all we had done and he then toasted "To new friends made" and we all joined!
Five days after the passengers came to Newfoundland, flights were arranged and everyone left for home. I'll never forget that time and I thank God for giving me an opportunity to help out. It made me feel not so helpless during that time. I didn't have to sit and watch people suffer...I actually got a chance to help and make a small difference.
A year after the attacks, the university gathered at our clock tower and help a memorial service for those who died a year ago. Classes were cancelled that day out of respect and we all went to the ceremony. During the few minutes of silence, I started to cry. I cried because all I could picture in my head were those planes crashing into those towers, the Pentagon and the one that was brought down by the people on the plane. I wished it didn't have to happen. It shouldn't have happened...
This Thursday, in two days time, will mark the second anniversary of 9/11. For me, it will be marked by a day of watching the news and memorial services on tv. But also, it will be marked by me reading out the names of every person killed and their age. I want to know all of the names of those killed because I don't want them to EVER be forgotten.
America...especially New York...NEWFOUNDLAND LOVES YOU!!! Someday soon, I promise to visit New York...for my first time...and my dream is to visit ground zero and lay a single rose as my little memorial of that horrible day. You showed the world just how stong you are...and the world watched. It was a true honor to be able to do my little part that day.
And just a small note to those responsible for what had happened. I'm not about to tell you off. I'm not about to tell you how much I hate you for what you did. All I am going to say is: IT DIDN'T WORK!!! You did NOT destroy America's spirit. You FAILED to instill fear in those people. YOU LOSE. And I hope someday you sit...sit and realize what you did...and rot for it.
GOD BLESS THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF AMERICA.
Never in my lifetime will I ever forget 9/11...NEVER. I remember coming back to my residence from a class to find the tv on and my roommate talking on the phone. The shocking image I found on the tv caught my eye immediately. I remember asking my roommate "Isn't that the World Trade Center in NYC?". She hung up the phone and we both sat down to listen.
We were talking so loudly that the Residence Assistant came to our room to tell us to keep it down...but once he saw what was going on...he watched too. Soon, there was around 30 people in my little room watching the first tower burn.
I thought to myself "Surely this must be some horrific accident. Nobody would even think to do such a thing on purpose". I remember saying my thought out loud and not two seconds later did we witness...live...the second plane ripping through the second tower. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of all the innocent people that had just died before my eyes on tv. Real people - moms, dads, children...I was simply horrified. Then I said it out loud "My God...New York is being attacked. The planes struck the towers on purpose!" People in that room started to cry and hug each other. I just couldn't register what was going on. It was too hard to believe.
As the morning went on, we listened and watched the pictures of another plane striking into the Pentagon. I told my friend "It's not just New York anymore...America itself is under attack!"
We were intently listening to every word the newscaster on CNN was saying and then he grew silent. To everyones shock and horror, one of the towers collapsed and was simply gone. That's when we started to cry openly...some people like myself sobbing. First there were two towers...and then only one. I just couldn't believe how things were unfolding. The whole room then stopped talking and we prayed. We prayed that somehow...SOMEHOW the second tower would be ok and that the people still trapped inside would have time to get out alive. But the tower was too far gone I guess. A short time later we watched the second tower crumble just like the first. All that was left was a tall area of smoke and dust. There were no words...NO words to describe how we all felt.
As the day went on, the news of the fourth plane crashing took us by surprise. I just didn't want to believe that it was starting again. But as we found out that this plane, which was supposed to hit another targer, was taken back by the passengers...we cried. We cried because of the courage shown by those brave men and women who chose to fight back and gave the ultimate sacrifice so others wouldn't have to die.
Never during that day did I think that those attacks, other than emotionally, would effect me. But I was wrong. In the middle of the day, a large blood drive was held and we were told it was for the people in New York. I jumped to my feet and ralleyed as many people as I could find to come with me to give blood. I told people that weren't for the idea "It's the very least we can do...this is our chance to help them". That sentence did it for most people. The blood clinic was so crowded. Most people from my university went to give blood and the clinic had to extend the time it was open!
That night, as my group continued to watch the news, a house meeting was called. We got dressed and went downstairs to see what was going on. There was a representative from the volunteer commitee at MUN and he was asking for our help. He told us of the planes that were being diverted here from the USA and the stranded passengers were going to be put up at our university. He wanted some volunteers to help them get ready for the influx of an expected 600 people. My entire house of 68 people said "We're there" and we got ready for an unforgettable night.
We went over to the student center where the passengers were going to stay. We helped to set up the cots, break open the university's emergency supplies and got everything ready. I myself helped also to get some translators on the go since we were expecting people from all over the world. We tried to think of everything these people would need such as phone service, care for those with disabilities and so on. The provincial phone company heard what were were doing and volunteered to set up over a dozen phoned with long distance service free of charge so that the passengers could call loved ones. We had a room set up for people with disabilities and people on hand to assist them.
Some people had to go back to rez because they had classes the next morning and it was already around 1am. I had class too...but thought staying to help to be much more important. In the end, around 12 of us stayed to help when people arrived. We were given jobs, like giving tours, and showing people to their cots and so on. I was one of the people to show people to their cots. When the people finally arrived, it was very overwhelming for me. All I could think of was "This tragedy is actually effecting me...here in Newfoundland". I showed grateful passengers to their cots and did my best to answer peoples questions about what had happened in New York. They weren't given much information on the planes and were finding out the terrible news from us.
I met this one woman who was in tears shortly after she had finished a phone call. I went up to her and asked if there was anything I could do. She told me that her nephew was one of those killed on the attack at the Pentagon. She was alone on this trip and had nobody she knew to turn to. So I stayed with her and listened to her stories of how promising a life her nephew was leading. I was honored to be hearing the story of one of those killed in these attacks.
I saw no classes over the next five days! I was too busy helping the stranded passengers. If anything good came out of these attacks, it was bringing out the best in people to help those in need during a crisis. Dozens of restaurants around the city donated food for the passengers. People had donated clean clothes, towels, blankets and toys for the children. Businesses around town donated essentials such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes for everyone. The citywide bus service had free transportation all over the city so the passengers could go sightseeing. And everyone were offering their time to just talk to the passengers and offer a friendly ear.
The university itself also had a hand in keeping things lively. Plays, concerts and socials were planned to keep everyone busy and as happy as possible. I remember during one social, one man got up and offered a toast...a toast to everyone who had lost their life in the attacks on America. We all stood silent for a long time...remembering lives lost. Then that man thanked us for all we had done and he then toasted "To new friends made" and we all joined!
Five days after the passengers came to Newfoundland, flights were arranged and everyone left for home. I'll never forget that time and I thank God for giving me an opportunity to help out. It made me feel not so helpless during that time. I didn't have to sit and watch people suffer...I actually got a chance to help and make a small difference.
A year after the attacks, the university gathered at our clock tower and help a memorial service for those who died a year ago. Classes were cancelled that day out of respect and we all went to the ceremony. During the few minutes of silence, I started to cry. I cried because all I could picture in my head were those planes crashing into those towers, the Pentagon and the one that was brought down by the people on the plane. I wished it didn't have to happen. It shouldn't have happened...
This Thursday, in two days time, will mark the second anniversary of 9/11. For me, it will be marked by a day of watching the news and memorial services on tv. But also, it will be marked by me reading out the names of every person killed and their age. I want to know all of the names of those killed because I don't want them to EVER be forgotten.
America...especially New York...NEWFOUNDLAND LOVES YOU!!! Someday soon, I promise to visit New York...for my first time...and my dream is to visit ground zero and lay a single rose as my little memorial of that horrible day. You showed the world just how stong you are...and the world watched. It was a true honor to be able to do my little part that day.
And just a small note to those responsible for what had happened. I'm not about to tell you off. I'm not about to tell you how much I hate you for what you did. All I am going to say is: IT DIDN'T WORK!!! You did NOT destroy America's spirit. You FAILED to instill fear in those people. YOU LOSE. And I hope someday you sit...sit and realize what you did...and rot for it.
GOD BLESS THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF AMERICA.
Collection
Citation
“story9516.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 25, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/17227.