story3020.xml

story3020.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I did not experience the loss of a loved one that day like so many others. My heart aches for so many who have had to experience such a horrible disaster. I work for the state of Michigan Community Health Department; and when I heard what had happed, a television was accessed to view what had occurred to our horror. I felt like someone took the air out of me, witnessing with my eyes, what happened and to then view "live" on television, the 2nd tower being crashed into. I did have such an empty feeling and helplessness of what to do, because with it all, I have a brother who is a captain for American Airlines who does fly the 767 aircraft which was used to crash into the WTCs. He also flys out of Dulles Airport. Immediately, I began to wonder if he was flying, where he was, was it his aircraft that crashed into the WTC. I called my mother and asked her if she was aware of what had taken place. She was unaware of what was going on and turned on the television. I asked her if she wanted to try to reach "Jerry" or if I should. She said she would try to call. We feel so fortunate because when she called, my brother answer the telephone. We knew he was safe. He had just left Dulles Airport late the evening before and arrived at Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport around 12:30 a.m. on 9/11/01. I can only express the small amount of emptiness I felt when I first heard of what happened and what one goes through because of "not knowing." I can't even begin to imagine what so many people who did lose a loved one experienced with a life taken away in such a horrible manner. My prayers are with all these people as well as the citizens of the U.S. May God bless them and the U.S.A.