story5486.xml

story5486.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was getting my dress fitted for my sister's wedding. I was just about to leave when someone came in saying that a plane hit the World Trade Center in New York. She heard this on the radio. The first thought that popped into my mind was "It's only a movie. They always do something like that to New York City." I was so wrong. I got in my car and headed off to my class at Salem State College. On my way to school I heard that another plane had crashed into the second Trade Center Building. I was in shock this was no movie promo this is real life. When I got to school and parked I was about to head into the building. Someone stopped me and told me to turn around and go home. I asked why. They told me that the school was being shut down, all classes in session were being let out and classes that day were canceled. I couldn't believe it. I sat there on the Salem State quad while a few of us students talked about what happened and listening to the radio. I immediatly called my mom and dad. My mom works for the school system for the city I live in and I wanted to make sure that there were no threats for them. She assured me she was okay and she would let me know if anything changed. I then called my father, who is a firefighter. He told me that they were on alert and a few of the cities firefighters might have to be sent over to help. I was horrified. He called me a few minutes later and told me that we were too far away and that they weren't sending anyone from this area. I proceed to go to work. It was erie at work. I work at a drycleaners and there was absolutly no one there. a few were sent home earlier, others were huddled around the radio listening to events, and others were next door at the restaurant watching it live on TV. It was really scary. When I got home my family and I huddled around the TV. All I could do is cry and cry. I went to a church service the next evening and couldn't believe that it happened. Any candle light vitals that were being held I tried to attend. I thought it necessary to show my support any way I could. I stood in line to give my blood for over 5 hours! On this One Year Annaversary, All those thoughts are coming back. At 8:46 a.m., Salem State joined the nation and world in a minute of silence for those lives that were lost on this horiffic day. I will NEVER forget what I was doing when I learned of this tradgic event.