story11604.xml
Title
story11604.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2005-07-10
911DA Story: Story
My 9/11 story began on 9/10. On that day, I was in New York City, at 1095 Avenue of the Americas in mid-towm Manhatten. I was on the 42nd floor, with a clear view down to the Financial District and the Trade Center, which dominated the skyline in that direction. It was a beautiful day, and I told my wife what a sight it was when I came back home to Clifton, Virginia that evening.
The next day, Tuesday, 9/11, began with me at work with Verizon on Courthouse Road in the Rosslyn section of Arlington. I had a conference call with folks at 1095 Avenue of the Americas back in New York. The call began at 8:30. Just before 9AM, a person on the call interrupted to say that a plane had hit the Trade Center. While we were discussing what a terrible accident that was, the seond plane hit. We then all knew this was no accident.
I tried calling my wife at home and could not reach her. My secretary came into my office with the news that the Pentagon had just been hit. At this time I became numb. I went to the 11th floor of the office building, as high as I could go, and looked west toward the Pentagon, which was over hill and out of view, about three miles away.
The sight before me shocked me beyond what I can convey adequately. In the foreground, on the top of the hill on the grounds of Fort Meyer, was a flag pole with a large American flag, waving in the breeze and set against the most beautiful clear bluw sky. In the background was a huge column of black smoke, rising high into the air and blowing south, across the Potomoc River and over Washington DC.
I became so very angry that our country had been attacked. I did not know who had done it, but prayed for the many I knew must have died, and for God to protect us. I am not a religious person, but I felt a strong need to do this.
I left the 11th floor, and in the elevator lobby the TV's were showing the collapse of the first tower to fall. No one could absorb what was happening. Many were crying. I was more angry as I headed back to my office.
Work was dismissed, and we were all told to go home. I got in my car and onto US 50, which was jammed. The scene was one from a science fiction movie. People were walking on the median strip, and the road was completely jammed. I was struck by how calm everyone appeared to be. There was no rudeness or panic. Probably most were like me...more in shock than in conscious control of emotion.
Two hours later I turned onto my gravel road at home. There was a beautiful deer in a clearing calmly standing and watching me as I approached. I remember thinking "Life does go on".
Life has gone on, but I think about what happened regularly...not every day, but very often. I still pray for God to protect us, and for the strength to Do The Right Thing if I ever find myself in a position that I must do so. I am so very impressed at the bravery displayed that day, and since that day, by so many.
I ask that none of us ever forget. It is important to honor those who died, and those who continue to sacfrifice to protect us.
Thank You
The next day, Tuesday, 9/11, began with me at work with Verizon on Courthouse Road in the Rosslyn section of Arlington. I had a conference call with folks at 1095 Avenue of the Americas back in New York. The call began at 8:30. Just before 9AM, a person on the call interrupted to say that a plane had hit the Trade Center. While we were discussing what a terrible accident that was, the seond plane hit. We then all knew this was no accident.
I tried calling my wife at home and could not reach her. My secretary came into my office with the news that the Pentagon had just been hit. At this time I became numb. I went to the 11th floor of the office building, as high as I could go, and looked west toward the Pentagon, which was over hill and out of view, about three miles away.
The sight before me shocked me beyond what I can convey adequately. In the foreground, on the top of the hill on the grounds of Fort Meyer, was a flag pole with a large American flag, waving in the breeze and set against the most beautiful clear bluw sky. In the background was a huge column of black smoke, rising high into the air and blowing south, across the Potomoc River and over Washington DC.
I became so very angry that our country had been attacked. I did not know who had done it, but prayed for the many I knew must have died, and for God to protect us. I am not a religious person, but I felt a strong need to do this.
I left the 11th floor, and in the elevator lobby the TV's were showing the collapse of the first tower to fall. No one could absorb what was happening. Many were crying. I was more angry as I headed back to my office.
Work was dismissed, and we were all told to go home. I got in my car and onto US 50, which was jammed. The scene was one from a science fiction movie. People were walking on the median strip, and the road was completely jammed. I was struck by how calm everyone appeared to be. There was no rudeness or panic. Probably most were like me...more in shock than in conscious control of emotion.
Two hours later I turned onto my gravel road at home. There was a beautiful deer in a clearing calmly standing and watching me as I approached. I remember thinking "Life does go on".
Life has gone on, but I think about what happened regularly...not every day, but very often. I still pray for God to protect us, and for the strength to Do The Right Thing if I ever find myself in a position that I must do so. I am so very impressed at the bravery displayed that day, and since that day, by so many.
I ask that none of us ever forget. It is important to honor those who died, and those who continue to sacfrifice to protect us.
Thank You
Collection
Citation
“story11604.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 8, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/19297.