nmah1267.xml

nmah1267.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-05

Prior to the attacks, my family and I were vacationing in New York. Our last stop before returning home was New York City. We were debating on whether or not to stay for another night. This was Monday, September 10, 2001. Something kept telling me not to stay so I finally decided that we had to go because of school in the morning. So after a few more hours of walking through the city we started our trip home. The next morning I made it to school. After my first class I walked over to the bookstore. I was talking to friends in line when we heard on television that there was some sort of explosion at the trade center in New York. I was glued to the television. Then, while watching the broadcast, we seen the second plane hit. We were all silent. All that raced through my mind is that my entire family and I had just returned home from there. What would have happened if we would have stayed? Then, we heard of the pentagon and then the plane going down in our very own state not far away at all. I called home to see if everyone knew what was happening. Not to long after school was released for the day. I listened to the radio on the ride home. I was in shock. During the drive they mentioned the Millennium Hotel being destroyed. Tears filled my eyes, because this is where we would have stayed. My decision may have saved my families lives and my own. I am very thankful that I had school the next morning. My emotions were so mixed up. The next morning I called the help line in NYC. I wanted to see if there was anything that I could do to help. They took my contact information and said that they would get back to me. I found out that they needed my help the next day in school. I notified my instructors that I would be absent for a while. I had no idea how long I would be gone. I just knew that I was going to do my part for our country.

Yes and No... I used to take stuff for granted all the time. Since 9-11, I have learned to appreciate more. I have become more sensitive and emotional. On Spetember 13th I arrived in New York City to volunteer. I will be affected forever but I will never regret what I did for that short period of time volunteering. I came to realize that our country is full of loving, supporting, caring individuals from all walks of life. the people that I met while volunteering will never be forgotten by me.

We should remember all the victims and their families, the rescue workers, volunteers, organizations that donated and the most important to me, the children that have had to live this tragic event. We also need to realize that it shouldn't take a tragedy like this to bring us all together. United We Stand, United We Stay!

Yes I did fly an american flag. Again yes and no. I have always had a great deal of respect for our flag. September 11th has increased my respect, love and devotion for our flag/country.