story10300.xml

story10300.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-01-04

I was standing in my office which has an unobstructed view to the south of Madison Avenue when I was told that an aircraft had flown into the World Trade Center. Looking out of the window it struck me what a beautiful day it was,a deep blue sky with not a cloud to be seen.Just a minute later I could see the huge plume of black smoke rising from the south and then the second tower was hit and the plume grew ever larger.Slowly we became aware that the United States was under attack and that our way of life and our freedom was being challenged by an unseen enemy.The plume of smoke darkened the sky and continued unabated for the whole day and into the night.We left the office in silence and in shock at what had happened not only to the city but to the United States. The following day our offices were open for business but of course no work was done and the only phonecalls e-mails and voice mail received was from people wanting to know whether we were safe. At noon that day we closed our offices and all of our staff went the the memorial service St Barts on Park Ave.The church was packed and the service the saddest I have ever attended.We also closed our office at noon on September 11 in 2002 and in 2003. It is the intention to do so every year from now on as long as we are in business.
It is my view that the United States and all Americans particularly those of us who witnessed the disaster have changed and we are now much more aware of our surroundings as never before. We are also more grateful for who we are and what the United States stands for. We also understand that the war on terrorism will continue indefinetly.
As a foreign born American I can say that this country will never give into the terrorists of the world something President Bush fully understood when he visited Ground Zero in New York City after the attack on our way of life and our values.GOD BLESS AMERICA.