nmah4253.xml

nmah4253.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I live in the state of New Jersey, one hour travel from the city. I walk the mile to the beach to see the skyline of New York whenever I feel the urge. On September 11, 2001 I left for work early and happy trying to get a head start on the work ahead. At about 8:50 the news came on to state that one of the Twin Towers was hit by a plane. "WHAT?" I thought. Someone in traffic control is really in the hot seat now. Even when the second plane hit, I could only imagine still something immense in radar control going radically wrong. Then the horror of the Pentagon. As the news came over the radio, I could feel the hairs on my arms rising. "Dear God, we are being attacked. This MUST be war. Where will I hide.I am so close,yet so far, will I be next? Will my daughter be safe, working in London or has something horrendous happened to her? Then for 24 hours I could not reach her, nor could she reach me. No phone, computer e mails could not go through, television out for everyone here unless on cable. Of course,the antenna on the towers were down! That day I ran to the hospital to help and was sent home after two hours. There would be no one coming. Then the daily requests from the city:send water, send clothes, gloves,flashlights, batteries,shoes,dog food,medical supplies, construction workers, medical workers, etc. etc. With every request, for days on end, I loaded the car, drove to the docks in Highlands,N.J. and put it on the ferry, which ran almost continuously for days. I stood there September ll night and touched as many firefighters and people I could coming off the ferry, or at least welcomed them back from the hell in which they had been. They needed to feel humanity. The looks on their faces was indescribable, their eyes staring out, and then the white ash and dirt covering their entire persons. The firemen at the docks were hosing each other down trying to remove as much of the asbestos, dust,ash, etc. Red Cross was running rescue satellite locations. There was organized hell. People were arriving in New Jersey from Connecticut, New York, other part of New Jersey, not caring where they were. They were away from the abomination they had experienced. And yet the days ran on, as well as the horrors. Nothing I did could ever seem to be enough. I stood on the beach and watched the towers burn, totally hopeless. Each day brought news of another local resident being lost or known dead. When I thought that we couldn't handle another death, we did. Everyone knew someone or someone related to someone who died in that horror. The entire community was in despair and depression. How in the name of God could this have happened? How will we be able to go on from here?

I treat my life as more of a gift. I love those I hold dearly more and do my best to protect them, or at least make them aware of what is around them. I spend my time helping others and enjoy what I have more, yet am more willing to share it.

That evil will never triumph. We won't let it.

We have flown the American flag before this awful day and have flown it ever since. I am very proud to be an American. Don't you forget it either.