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. On 11 September 2001, I was standing near my desk talking to a co-worker in room 2D450, when the terrorist attack occurred on the Pentagon. I heard a loud explosion and all the electricity went out. I was hit on the top of the head, causing me to look up, and I could see daylight streaming in. I realized the roof was caving in on me. I thought I have to get my purse when suddenly thick black smoke mixed with white dust filled the room. The smoke was so thick; you could not see or breathe. Instantly fire came toward me from the E-ring. I grabbed my co-worker and ran away from the fire. I kept saying, It is so hot! The fire was so close it singed my hair. There was a toolbox and cable of wire in the middle of the floor of the 2D450 exit. I was running blindly when I tripped and fell over the toolbox. This fall helped me orient myself. I realized I had made a right turn toward the 2D450 exit. When I stood up, it felt cool and I knew this was the right way to escape. I still could not run because the cable had wrapped around my right ankle. I started shaking my leg, to release the cable, when my shoe fell off. I finally got free and continued through the exit door into the 4th corridor. The 4th corridor was still intact but there was broken glass all over the floor. I was afraid I would cut my foot, but I did not. It was then that I could see people scared, wet, dirty, and helping others to get out of the Pentagon. I followed the crowd to the center courtyard. I knew the center courtyard, which is called ground zero, was not the safest place to stay, so I went back into the Pentagon and exited through North Parking. Once outside I was looking for co-workers when someone yelled, another plane is coming, run! I ran and continued running across a wooden bridge down to the highway. A man passing by picked me up and drove me to olde town, Alexandria. There I was able to make phone calls to my family. A bystander saw I was in need of help. She gave me a pair of shoes and drove me to a catholic church where a priest gave me a blessing. She then drove me to a gas station where my nephew was able to pick me up to go home. When I arrived home, I discovered the portion of the Pentagon that I was standing in, had collapsed. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes! I am on anti-depressants and sedatives. Every night I have nightmares. I used to be able to take care of everything and everyone now I can only concentrate on one thing at a time and that is a struggle. 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? Yes. I have more respect the American flag now. 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 nmah1088.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. 2002-09-05 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 198.26.74.99