story89.xml

story89.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-02-27

I learned about the crashing of the planes while I was on my way to Geology class. A girl was listening to the radio on her walkman and telling the class what the updates were. I did not fully understand the severity of the situation until class was over. I knew it was serious, but did not understand what had happened. I left school and tried to call my boss to see if I should come into work. My work was located right behind the Pentagon and I heard that it had been hit. My cell phone did not work and was making crazy sounds when I attempted to use it. I saw that a friend of mine, who lived near the school, had called and I went to his house to watch the news and make some phone calls. I could not believe what I saw on the News. It was horrible. Why? How? I could not grasp where this came from. The impact of the event did not kick in unitl the next day when it consumed my mind. I found myself afraid of things to come and constantly watching the news so that I might grasp the situation at hand. I could not think about anything else. I literally work right behing the Pentagon which made me think about all the people actually in the Pentagon. All the people running from large masses of smoke, or jumping from windows of a falling building. For the first time in my life, I felt unsafe in my own country. Vulnerable and unprotected. A feeling very new to me. I didn't understand how we could keep ourselves safe when the enemy was willing to risk thier own lives in order to take ours. The days following were filled with suspision, fear and anxiety. I love this country and what it stands for, but for the first time, I felt true patriotism. For the first time, I cried when I heard our National Anthem. For the first time, all those songs I sang in Elementary school finally made sense. I was proud to be an American. Despite the horror of what happened on Septemeber 11, I am glad that it opened my eyes to the strength of this country and how glad I am to be a part of it.