lc_story268.xml

lc_story268.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-01-20

I was in the EPA's library in the Sam Nunn Federal Building in Atlanta. At the time I was a contracted librarian. Another librarian was putting up the morning's news onto our website for EPA employees. She came to my desk and told me that a plane had hit a building in New York. That was just shortly before the second plane hit. I thought the first one was a terrible accident so I continued working. Then she came back and said a second had hit. I called my fiance and told him to turn on the television. He was stunned. When the Pentagon was hit my fiance called back and demanded I leave the building. He felt that Federal Buildings were being targeted. I waited hoping we would be given the all clear to leave. He came to the building. By that time no one was being allowed inside. I could see him from the 9th floor on the street below talking to the police. Finally it was about 11:30 and I said I was taking my lunch hour. I would return if they said everything was OK. Of course, I didn't return that day. By the time I left people were pouring out of the building.

It took me awhile to really be convinced that this was a terrorist attack. No event in my lifetime ever hinted that something like this could happen in the U.S. It never occurred to me that I was in danger. But my fiance was so upset that I didn't leave the building immediately. Later that day it started to hit how many people had died and how many people were grieving.

I realize that the citizens of the U.S. need to pay more attention to what happens in our government and in the world. Sometimes we grow apathetic. Sept. 11 showed that we are part of the global community like it or not. I also believe it began a chain of events that will eventually change the way the world works forever. Hopefully, the best of humanity will rise to the occasion.