story7067.xml

story7067.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-13

Like many Americans, I will never forget where I was or what I was doing that fateful morning. My story is not of some personal tragedy, but simply that of a spectator at the most horrible event in my life and my generation.

I was preparing for the workday and turned on the t.v. as I normally do. After getting out of the shower, I heard the anchor saying something about a "tragedy". I came into the living room and watched as the first tower burned. I could not believe my eyes. Everyone thought it was simply an accident. A horrible, horrible accident. My mind went to the attack on the twin towers some years ago and I thought, "How awful for those poor people." Then, as I and thousands watched, the second tower was hit. And in the pit of my stomach I knew this was planned. This was real.

I continued to get ready for work because I had no idea what else to do. And then the Pentagon was hit. I grabbed my keys and drove to work in shock, glued to every word the announcer said on the radio. Then came the news from Pennsylvania. And as I drove to work, I saw people waiting for busses, walking their dogs, going for a jog --- all oblivious to what was going on. I wanted to scream out the window, "Don't you know we are under attack?!? Haven't you heard?!?" It was surreal.

At work, everyone was surrounding a few t.v.'s tuned into CNN, or using the internet to get what news we could. I turned the radio at my desk up so all could hear. Our building security was suddenly stricter. Co-workers could not concentrate on work. We all looked stricken, as though someone had just punched us in the gut. And so someone had.

We were dismayed to learn that one of our co-workers was in Pentagon city that day. We waited for any news of his well-being. We sighed with relief when he was reported safe and on his way home. As we later learned, he was in a meeting and they were discussing the tower attacks when the building he was in suddenly shuddered and a large explosion was heard. He was across the highway from the Pentagon when the plane struck. It took him the better part of a week to drive home from the DC area to Colorado.

I donated blood the very next day. I prayed for those lost and for the families hoping against hope to find a loved one alive and safe. I sobbed as I realized my country, my beloved country had been attacked. I called my parents, my boyfriend, my friends. I made contact with those I loved and realized how fragile that relationship was.

We were an arrogant people before 9/11/01. We were self-assured that the evil in other countries would never come here. We were wrong. We were humbled. But we did not falter. I want generations to know that. We stood strong and did what needed to be done. The healing will take a bit, but if this time comes again, then we will unite again and come back again. God Bless America.