nmah5453.xml

nmah5453.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-03-04

At the time I was working as a secretary in the Principal's Office at St. Frances de Chantal Parish School. The entire school (over 600 students) had just walked over to church for the Opening of the New School Year Mass. I received a phone call from my husband, Tom, who had retired from the NY Fire Dept. earlier that year. He could not believe what he just saw on television and was calling to make us aware of the situation. WHen he called again about the 2nd plane, we were stunned and not sure what to think. We turned on the radio and started answering the phone from concerned parents. Pretty soon, parents started to arrive at the school wanting to take their children home. One parent arrived sobbing-having just made it back from Manhattan by bus. She said " People were screaming and banging on the bus windows for us to stop -it's like a nightmare!"
We did all we could to field all the calls and dismiss the children as their parents arrived. THe school lobby was crowded with parents, our phones were ringing, the P.A. system was in overdrive as each student was called down to meet their parent. My heart was racing as I thought about what happened and tried to remain calm in front of all these children. We didn't know it then, but we lost many friends that day- and nothing was ever the same again.

Each day I remember Sept. 11 - I pray for the lost souls and their families. Our friends are gone and we still cannot accept it. My husband had just retired from the Fire Dept. earlier that year due to a torn rotor cuff which required surgery and the placement of 4 pins to repair his shoulder. He was trying to deal with having to leave a job which he took much pride in and was dedicated to. After his countless days at Ground Zero helping with the search and recovery, I can see he is a changed man. He has witnessed a war zone surrounded by an unspeakable horror -The remains of innocent victims. Everyone has to go on with their lives now, but carrying this memory is more than most can bear.
I pray each day for my husband and for all of us. We were witness to a crime against humanity and need to have faith. Let us all pray as one that our children will live in a world one day free of hate and prejudice.

****I have sent a mailing to you with photos and quotes about Sept. 11th. and the firefighters we knew from my husband's firehouse Ladder 42/Engine 73 in the South Bronx.
Please let me know if you received this mailing.
Carol O'Malley
2784A Miles Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
718-931-1481
Email - Clemalley@AOL.com

Yes, we had our flag outside our home. It is our flag and always will be a symbol of our freedom and the spirit of all Americans is reflected in each wave of our flag.