story373.xml

story373.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-04-09

September 11th had all the makings of a great day. My parents had come down from Colorado to visit me, and I had a date that night that I was really looking forward to. On top of that, there was a Coronation Ceremony taking place at our school, which I decided against going. Instead, I stayed with my parents in the hotel room the night before, and slept in a bit before the start of my day. I still remember coming out of the shower, and my dad sitting on the edge of the couch, watching the television. I remember seeing a rising black cloud emanating from the World Trade Center. I remember asking if there was a fire, and it was then, live, that I saw the second plane fly into the side of the building and erupt into a gruesome fireball that tore into the establishment.
I was dumbfounded. I simply stared that the screen in shock, not entirely aware as to what was going on. It was then the reporters began to fill me in, stating the destruction was an act of terrorists. I got my things ready, and said goodbye to my parents. Before they left, I remember them asking me if I was okay being in Abilene alone. Naturally, being a nineteen year old guy, I assured them somewhat sarcastically that I'd somehow find a way to manage without them. I got in my car, and waved as I drove to my school.
By the time I got there, many people hadn't even heard what had happened yet. Many were just getting out of the Coronation Ceremony for our University's new president, and I took the time to explain to a number of people what was going on. With a group of people, I went to my dorm's lobby to watch any recent developments and unfoldings.
It all seemed to be a bad dream. I watched live as the towers were attacked, and I watched live as they both crumpled underneath their weakened structuring. These huge massive buildings - one of the most recognizable landmarks of New York was gone in an instant. I remember feeling such rage, as I'm sure many did, and I remember wanting Bush to take immediate action. I spent the rest of the day consoling people who were not taking the attacks as well as I was, hearing all along about how the economy was about to recede, how war was imminent, and how gas prices were going to inflate to obscene amounts. It didn't quite turn out how I thought it was going to, thank God, but I can't remember ever being more uncertain about the future of our country and it's economy. Never had an event affected me like the destruction of the buildings, and I was two thousand miles away from ground zero. It's not something I'd be likely to forget anytime soon.

Dustin Henry
Sophomore, Hardin-Simmons University