nmah461.xml

nmah461.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-27

The attacks had a surreal quality to them until I went out to the parking lot of Northern Virginia Community College. The college is about ten miles from the Pentagon, and even from that distance, I could see the clouds of smoke rising from the fires at the Pentagon above the trees. What I had seen on television reports became real to me, and at the same time I became scared and horrified at what had happened.

Also, I live under the flight path to Washington National Airport. Right after the attacks I was awed by just how quiet things were, except for the occasional military jet flying over head. The change was so dramatic and at the same time so unnerving.

The change has been almost subliminal. I worry more about what decisions our leaders make and wonder if we will be attacked again at times.

Yes. I have become much more proud of the flag.