nmah183.xml

nmah183.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-19

I was sitting at my desk at work that morning when a co-worker came walking around the corner and said (to anyone who was listening) "A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York!" At first, none of us really thought that much about it. We just thought (like so many others) that it was just an unfortunate accident. Even the initial news reports didn't really concern us as the details were very sketchy. Then, suddenly, our whole world fell apart with the sudden "breaking news" announcement that a second plane had struck the second World Trade Center tower and that it was a large passenger jet. Immediately, all radio stations switched over to their news affliate and we sat transfixed as we were informed that this was no accident. We had been attacked again! This time by a faceless, unnamed enemy.

I went into my boss' office and said, "We've been attacked!" He said, "Yes, I've already heard." I called my husband at work to make sure he had heard. He had and was also watching the TV. Then I heard the news that our local schools were being dismissed. I called to make sure they had gotten home safely and that everyone was o.k.

There was a TV in one of the nearby conference rooms and several of us stood in the doorway in complete shock at the images being broadcast there. Some were in tears, others spoke in hushed, unbelieving tones. We just didn't believe that this could really happen in our lifetimes. We certainly didn't believe it could be happening to ordinary men and women like us.

Upon the announcement that our firm was allowing early dismmissals as desired, many of us went home to be with our families. We just wanted to hug our loved ones and reassure ourselves that everything was still ok in our own little worlds.

We've come to expect that our military personnel and installations will be attacked. That doesn't seem to rattle us as much as a nation. But innocent civilians who are guilty of nothing more than simply going about their daily lives, doing their jobs, taking care of their families and personal business? That was something we just never imagined could happen right here in our own country, on our own land. Even with the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing, we were shocked, but that was an "inside" job -- one of our own who had some kind of personal vendetta against our government.

We've become somewhat indifferent to pictures and reports of terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in other lands. After all, that's way on the other side of the world and doesn't really affect us! Surely, international terrorists would never think of attacking us on our own land and certainly never attack our innocent civilians.

We now know differently and it has changed our entire lives! We've seen history made right before our eyes in living color. It's not a pretty picture nor one that we really want to remember.

I'm a bit more alert and cautious, but no more "fearful" than I was before September 11, 2001. I don't believe in living in fear. Putting everything into perspective, I have a greater chance of being injured or killed by walking across the street than I have by a terrorist attack. I'm more alert to what is going on around me and I am more cautious as to the things that I do and the people I come in contact with (although I try not to let them know that I'm being cautious).

My family had vacation plans that included flying to our destination. We did not change our plans in any way. While it was a little more inconvenient having to wait in security lines at the airport, we appreciated the extra attention.

I think we need to remember those who gave their lives (both willingly and unwillingly) in this tragic event. We need to remember why we were attacked and determine to stand strong in the face of our enemies. We were attacked only because of our strong support for the nation of Israel -- the sworn enemy of the Islamic countries. We were attacked only because of our strong stand for individual human freedoms and liberties. We were attacked because of our nation's strong Judeo/Christian heritage (regardless of those who would say this was never an important part of our history). We need to remember these things.

Our family has always flown the American flag at various times throughout the year. Both of our fathers fought in WWII and both were strong patriots and raise their children to be proud of their heritage. Immediately upon returning home on September 11, our flag was again hoisted and has remained there until this day -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a spotlight on it at night.

The American flag has always reminded me of my rich heritage -- both as an American and as a Christian. It reminds me that many good people have died to make this the greatest country in the whole world. We are only strong as long as we remember who we are, where we've come from, what we stand for and determine to continue on that path. If we buckle or waiver in our determination, the terrorists have already won. We can't allow that to happen.

As we saw with our involvement in Vietnam, it really does not take a tremendous amount of effort on the part of our enemies to defeat us -- we can do it ourselves from within simply by failing to be supportive of the efforts of our military in defending us and the freedoms we hold so dear as well as in defending human freedoms and fighting against tyranny everywhere it occurs in the world.

While we may not always agree with the actions of our government, we need to support our military personnel no matter what. They are only trying to do their jobs and following orders. They can't do that successfully and maintain their morale if they feel that they don't have the support of those of us who are left here at home.

Fly that flag. Write letters to our military and let them know how much you appreciate what they are doing and the sacrifice they have been willing to make on your behalf -- regardless of where they are serving. Be proud of who you are and the country in which you live.

Get involved with our government. If you don't like something, write a letter to the President, the Vice President, your elected representatives (state and federal) and let them know why you don't agree. If you do like what they are doing, write to them and let them know they have your support. Don't just sit around and grumble and complain and think that your opinion doesn't matter. It does. Make sure you get all the information you can this November when it's time to elect new representatives (or keep the ones we have). Then make sure you get and vote. Never assume that your vote doesn't matter. It does! Use it! It's really the only "voice" you have. Just make sure that you really get to know the person you're voting for and that you don't allow yourself to be persuaded by the smooth-talking promoters.