nmah5450.xml

nmah5450.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-03-01

I awoke to my alarm clock on the morning of 11 September. It was tuned to KNX, a Los Angeles news station. In a state of being half awake I hear something about a fire in the WTC. Then several minutes later there was a report about a possible plane crashing into the building. My first thoughts were that they were broadcasting a modern version of the "War between the Worlds" at a strange hour. Several minutes later there was another report about the WTC. Then, my thoughts were that there must be something to this story, it is time to get out of bed and go to the family room to check any TV reports.

As soon as the TV came on there was an image of the smoke and fire billowing out of one of the TWC tower. The report was true! Then they showed the odd, angled slice through the side of the building. I was glued to watching the story unfold. Then the reports continued about the plane hitting the building, and then the video showing the hit!

How were the people inside coping? How many people were killed and injured? Who was in the airliner? How could a pilot hit a building in the city? Were the people in the building escaping? Was there any way to put out the fire?

Then the pictures showing the second hit! This has had to be done on purpose. Why? Who? What is going on? Then the reports of the planes being hijacked! What is going on? What madness is causing this destruction? Then the first tower collapes! Then the second! Then the Pentagon!How many thousands have died - ten, twenty - how many?

This is WAR! Someone, somewhere will pay for this barbarity! I had to watch every minute of what was taking place on TV. I watched all day. It was the most incredible, inconceivable day of my adult life. We must take action against those responsible for this, but be careful to take a minimum of lives in doing so.

I am now much more concerned about security in the country and what has and will this do to our way of life. I am more concerned about anyone that looks Middle-eastern. This one day has changed our way of life drastically. We have for the first time in our history been severely attacked by an outside force! It must not happen again! I must and will be more aware of my surroundings, the people in it, and be prepared to take any action needed to defend myself, my family, and other innocent people.

The barbarity of the hijackers and the people behind them. The needless deaths of the innocent victims killed in the WTC, the Pentagon, and the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. The incredible bravery of the rescuers working selfishly to save people from the destruction.

Yes, I did fly the flag after 11 September. And my respect for the flag and what it stands for was greatly enhanced because of the positive way the people of this country reacted to the event.