story2389.xml

story2389.xml

born-digital

story

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2002-09-11

I didn't find out about the tragedies until around 10:00am while I was in class. I was going to school at the Catholic University of America in DC. My fiancee worked down in Virginia, though, not far from the Pentagon. In fact, she had to go there for business a few times prior, so naturally I was worried and scared. I was able to get a call through on my cell phone that day (one of the very few who could), and I was able to track her down. She was alive and unharmed at work. We were both scared, though. It was a surreal scene on campus. Being a commuter student, I didn't have a dorm room to go home to. I wasn't about to brave the traffic, but lucky for us, the University set up several Commuter stations with TV's, beds, free dorm rooms, and even a free dinner. I was hoping to sign up for the many blood drives around campus. What was inspiring to see, though, was that every single bus to the hospital was full and all times throughout the day were taken. Even the backup list was full. It was truly amazing, the outpouring of emotion and helpfulness that abounded. True, we weren't targeted specifically (our campus, that is), but each of us knew someone who was somehow affected. Our campus hails a lot of students from the New York/New Jersey area, not to mention many more from DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We lost a professor on one of the planes. Several students lost family and friends in the Towers. There was a quick mass setup in the Basilica that day for noon. I didn't know where else to go, and though I haven't been a very religious man for a while, I had my roots in the Church and I knew I would be welcome there. We were all a little frightened when we heard the roar of engines from inside the church. We were afraid that the largest church on this shore would be a target, espcially a church in DC. It was all too surreal. I spent the night at a friend's house just off campus. I don't remember how much I cried, if at all that day. It was a very sobering day. Truly too surreal for words. May those who have died be at peace, those who survived find solace, and may we all learn something and benefit from the sacrifice of others.