Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. SEPTEMBER 11TH ESSAY Commemorative Edition THE TENNESSEAN Nashville, TN Lynn A. Hafner Our hearts stopped, the earth stood still, we watched, waited, prayed and hoped. The words most whispered hung on the lips of all, where are my children, relatives and friends, are they OK, did we know any one there. 9 11 was a wake up call for the entire world and especially Americans. Regardless of prior incidents against the United States, many believed not us, it doesnt happen here, this is America! The clean up began, the days past and the dust settled. It was true, there were few to no survivors and so many lost. Everyone in this country experienced a bonding as never before. Heros praises were sung, contributions and support to help the victims and their families exceeded all expectation. Help came from everywhere. A new wave and show of Patriotism swept the country…. Since 9-11, the American flag has been displayed everywhere. From lapel pins to underwear, the red, white and blue Stars and Stripes abound. Americans rallied to show their true colors, their support of their government and their solidarity in defeating terrorists and terrorism in the United States and throughout the World. In my work place I see hundreds of large trucks displaying American flags every day. After 9-11, those flags increased a hundred-fold. They are literally painted and pasted on the sides of the trucks and flying on multiple antennas. A few days after 9-11, one of the truck drivers, a tall, thin, older man, neatly dressed in jeans, cowboy boots and hat, sleeveless tee-shirt, sporting a few tattoos walked up the stairs to the platform to load his truck. He started and then stopped, went down the stairs, opened his truck door, reached inside and pulled out a small American flag on a stick and a roll of tape. He climbed the stairs again and taped the flag on the very top hand rail and then finished loading his truck. As he passed by the flag on his way down the stairs, he stared at it and as he reached the very bottom step, he turned, stood and stared up at the small flag he had just secured to the rail. He took his hat off and saluted the flag, turned and climbed into his truck and drove off. I was stunned and totally caught off guard. Over the next few months, as 100s of truck drivers climbed those stairs, they would stop, look at the flag, some would salute, some would smile and give a nod, others checked to make sure it was secure, even reinforcing the tape. There was an incredible show of reverence and pride for such a small replica of a symbol that means so much. If ever there was any doubt as to the strength and depth of the feelings Americans have for their country, it was forever erased in the display of respect, awe and caring displayed by those men and women who paid homage to that American flag. A sever storm broke the flagstick a month or so ago. The flag ended up hanging in my work area in the window for all to see. It is a constant reminder of who we are and what we stand for in this country and what we must never forget……THIS IS AMERICA, THE LAND OF THE FREE and UNITED WE STAND. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have added an american flag to my vehicle. I have always displayed one at home. I now have multiple flags in my work area where the public can see them. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah803.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-03 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.216.26.196