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 ready to leave the house to head out to school. I always turn on the t.v. in the kitchen while I drink my orange juice to see the latest news. When the t.v. came on the first of the two towers was on fire and smoking. I could not believe what I was watching. The first thought was it was an accident simular to the B17 bomber hitting the Empire State building during WWII. I couldn't understand how it could happen because the sky was clear blue. Then...the second attack happen right in front of me. I yelled for my sister to come right away. I became weak and my body was covered with goose bumps. I started to cry inside and it took all my strength to keep it from showing. I wanted to be there to help and I felt the pain of those which I knew were not likely to escape. I could not move as the event played out. I became so angry. I wanted to fight back but against who? At that moment I decided that I would not be passive. I will do something, somehow but didn't know what. As I drove to school I had tears in my eyes. The only place I could cry without anyone seeing me was in my car. I would cry when I heard the voices of witnesses on the radio. When I would hear the National Anthem. If I passed an American flag flying. One thing after another without the ability to control my emotions. From sorrow to rage and back again. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life changed. During the month of September'2001 I felt so alone and defenseless. Powerless to repel those who hate us. Fearful of another attack. Regretful towards those Americans whom had been targets in the past. My focus on life turned from all me, my work, and personal goals to "us", Americans. I thought of everyone as my brother and sister. It made no difference who you were, what color or race, we are related. Your city became my city and your problems became mine. No matter who or what is yet to confront us we will be confronted together. I learned what a real hero was and I decided to contribute no matter what the cost or how long it would take. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we need to remember how we felt as a nation and how those directly affected by the attacks must of felt. We need to remember how Americans helped fellow citizens in time of need. What a true national hero is. We must remember what countries came to our aid and vowed to stand by us regardless what it may entail. We need to remember that the world contains countries which promote totally different values and life styles than ours. We must remember that trust comes from actions and not words. Most of all we must remember that we are also judge by our actions and not by our words. We must remember to do what we say and say what we do. We must remember what Presidents Roosevelt and Bush said: "Speak softly and carry a big stick" and "You are either with us or against us". 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? Yes, my sister attached an American flag on the her mail box. My feelings about the flag didn't change so much as expanded. Post September I would leave work at 2:00 am and things would be so quite and calm. I would pass a car sales lot which has always flew a huge American flag. My eyes would tear from sadness every night as I passed. When I would go to work each day and saw so many flags on houses and cars my eyes would tear from being so proud of those who displayed the flags. Experiencing these feelings inspired me to contribute by designing a "911 Memorial Victory Flag" and another version called a "911 Battle Victory Flag". I want to preserve the emotions and memories we all had experienced on September 11,2001 and I want to express our support to those directly fighting our enemies in the war on terrorism. I present these flags to recognize organizations for their contributions to our daily lives and to our defense. I was told that one might even be displayed in your "911 display" at the Smithsonian. It was one that I presented to the Association of Flight Attendents. I am so proud of our Flight Attendents and wish them the best during these times. 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 nmah26.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. 2002-06-24 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 209.86.48.56