nmah3048.xml

nmah3048.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I live in Palmerston North, New Zealand... on the other side of the world. My wife and I had just come home from being out, it was 12.46 am the 12th of September here. I turned the TV on to catch up on the world news from BBC world. As I was watching the news images of a plane hitting the World Trade Centre came through. My wife had gone to bed just before this. As I was sitting there I couldn't believe it, I was thinking how could a plane hit a building that sticks out like a sore thumb on a day that is as clear as crystal. While I was wondering how someone couldn't see a building the next plane hit the second tower. I then thought terrorist attack... I woke my wife up and said you better come and look at this. We didn't go to bed that morning. I tried ringing some of my friends in the USA but the lines into America were jammed. The Pentagon and the plane crashing in the field were the next images we viewed over and above watching the towers falling.

The day of September 12th (because of the time differences) was like a dark day over here. At this time I was a student finishing the final few months of my degree, this day however was not a day to be considering anything like that.

Where I study is probably small in comparison to some institutes - around 4000 students. On this day I don't think anyone did anything just sat and watched. I believe our whole nation felt the same. I believe New Zealand as a nation were concerned and felt for the people of America and there lost loved ones as well as our fellow Kiwi's in New York.

I believe my life has changed even though this event happened a world a way. Because New Zealand is a US allie and a part of the British Commonwealth we a considered by some groups as the enemy and could be targets for future attacks. It makes you sit up and count your blessings for each day you are alive. I know for a fact that none of the innocent people killed as a result of this terrorist attack knew anything like this was going to happen, it was just a normal day. I know now that when we have planes fly low over our house I sit up and take more notice..."just in case".

The whole September 11th event, nothing should be forgotten