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 off work that day but woke up at my usual time. I went through my usual morning routine of getting coffee started for myself and my husband and plopped down onto the sofa. I turned on CNN and couldn't believe what I was seeing. They had just reported a plane crashing into the WTC and were showing live footage. At that time, noone was sure if it was just a horrible accident or an intentional act. My husband and I just kept looking at each other. What's going on? Was this really happening? Then, we watched as the second plane hit. All of those innocent lives taken in an instant. Families ripped apart forever. My husband left for work and we hugged each other a little tighter that morning. So many of those killed had gone through their morning in much the same way. It was just another day, right? You get up, have breakfast, get ready for work, fight your way thru traffic and begin your work day. Only this day, so many would never make it back home to their families. I was watching the TV live as people were shown jumping from the office windows, smoke and debris filling the air and then suddenly, down went the tower. I kept thinking of all those people trapped in the wreckage unable to fight their way out, choking on smoke and fumes. And what about the rescue people beneath them? They had fought so bravely to help save those lives and paid the ultimate price. Soon, the second tower collapsed. A wave of fear came over me as it was announced that there were planes unacounted for and the airports were being ordered to shut down. Shut down all the airports in the country? This is insane! What's happening? Then, of course, we found out about the other two planes of destruction. I remember that evening, after my husband returned home from work, we sat outside for a long time. The evening was so still, so silent. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Most definately. I never imagined anything like 9/11 could happen. Not here, not in America. Those were terrible things you see on TV happening in other countries. Now, it seems as if I almost expect it to happen again. I pray we never have to see this again. My husband and I make sure to take our time with everything now. We enjoy each other, our families and our friends. We reflect back and see how quickly our lives and the lives of those we love can be taken. Every minute is precious to us now. Before, we took time for granted. We planned for tomorrow and next week. Now, we just live each day and thank God for each day we have together. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That all those lost should be honored and remembered. We must continue to educate our youth so that 9/11 is NEVER forgotten and NEVER repeated. 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? Absolutely. I have always been proud to be an American. My Grandfather, Uncle and my husband's Grandfather all fought in WWII. We know what a priviledge it is to be an American. Our flag is a symbol of not just our freedom, but a symbol of our strength, hope and dreams. 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 nmah5713.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. 2003-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 172.155.158.202