Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was on my way to work in DC on Washington blvd right next to the Pentagon. I was listening to the reports on the radio about the World Trade Center. I had just gotten off my cell phone and had told my brother "I hope they don't hit the Pentagon because I am stuck in traffic right next to it". Not a minute later there was a huge explosion, I ducked, and in so doing bumped the car in front of me. I got out of my car and looked over at the Pentagon and there was gray smoke everywhere. I tried to call 911 but it was busy so I ran over and jumped the guard rail to see if I could help. There was a man by the heliport putting on a fire suit (I guess because of the heliport they have firemen there), I ran up and asked him what I could do to help, he said "Get the f$!* out of here". So I ran back to my car and just then another plane was over head (it turned out to be nothing), everyone was yelling to get out of there so I hopped in my car and crossed the median and left. I stopped by my son's school just to see him, more for me than him, then I went home and sat on the couch and cried like a baby. I don't know if I cried for me or everyone else, probably both. Part of me is wishing I wouldn't have listened to that fireman and I just would have gone in and helped. My wife keeps telling me that I did the right thing and that she is proud of me for trying to help, but I can't help think that maybe I could have saved just one person. I think about all those people who died everyday. I will NEVER forget them and I am sorry I didn't do more. God Bless America. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I think about death more, my own and those who died. I am no longer afraid of dying. I am only afraid of not being there for my family. A part of me will always wonder if I shouldn't have done more for the people there. My mind knows when you ordered to leave the pentagon grounds that is what you should do, but my heart cries out for those I didn't help. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The people who died should never be forgotten, and although I did not know any of them, I will never forget them. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have a flag on my car that I will never take off and everyday I put on my pentagon memorial pin. My feelings about the flag, and all that it stands for, have always been great and that will never change. I love this country and would lay down my life for it in an instant. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah20.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-06-18 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 169.253.4.8