nmah217.xml

nmah217.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-19

I was driving to work and listening the the BBC World Service news report on my local public radio station, KGNU. Just before I turned into the drive at around 7:00 AM MDT, the announcer stated that they had report just in that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York.

"Well, probably just a small plane," I thought, "some poor idiot just learning to fly."

As I settled into my cube and slapped on the headphones to listen to some music, I checked the news websites--there was very little information. Then I noticed people around me beginning to take off their headphones and speak to each other, while others gathered around cubes and stared at computer monitors. I felt unease in the air--it was actually palpable.

I switched my radio station to a AM news channel, and the horrible news began to filter in slowly--it was a passenger jet, the building was in flames, ANOTHER plane hit...after that it became a blur of news and rumors.

Our CEO announced via email that they had set up TV's in our events center, and anyone who wanted to go watch was welcome. I walked over, joining dozens of my colleauges, and we watched in horror and disbelief as first one, then another of the WTC towers fell.

I think everyone's life has changed; in some subtle ways for those of us lucky enough not to have lost family or friends in the tragedy. It's more of a newfound appreciation for life; a realization of the fleetingness of existence, and a resolve to live your life better than before September 11.

What should be remembered is that when America was attacked, America stood together and stood firm. There were great instances of heroism and self-sacrifice--we should remember that no matter how much evil evinces itself in our world, great good is also apparent.

No, I did not fly an American flag. I felt that although I consider myself a patriotic American, if I wasn't flying it before Septemeber 11, there was no reason other than some jingoistic reaction to the attacks to begin flying it then. It truly did stir me to see the flags come out all over our city and state, however.