nmah5715.xml

nmah5715.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-11

I was in Pinehurst, North Carolina, during my break between 1st and 2nd period. I walked into the court yard to talk to my ex-boyfriend and he said "Did you hear about those 2 planes that hit the World Trade Centers?'' I didn't really think much of it because the last thing I expected was a terrorist attack. I walked into French and the televison was on with pictures of what happened. I then realized the magnitude of the situation. My dad and step-mom were flying from Dulles International Airport to LEX on the morning of September 11th. I had no way of knowing if his flight was the one that hit the Pentagon or not. I remember seeing a flight number from Dulles on the tv screen, and my friend Luke asked me if I was allright. I didn't really know how to react...and I asked why? Luke then informed me that I turned as white as a ghost. I remember being so scared and wondering if I had really lost my Dad and Step-mom. At first it didn't make sense why they would take planes that were going from Dulles to the other side of the nation, until I realized those planes would have much more gas than other domestic flights. I wasn't sure if my family was allright, I was scared as to what would happen next, and I left school. I went home and called my Grandma to find out if my Dad was on the flight or not...and it turns out his flight was the one right after the pentagon bound plane. The flights were seperated by 35 minutes. My high school was torn apart and united at the same time. Many of my friends knew someone who was impacted directly by the attack. It's amazing how many people were indirectly affected by the terror of that day.

I don't think my life has altered immensly, but there are some small changes that I never even paid attention to before September 11th. When ever I'm in the airport I am always a little more nervous about my flight... I worry about my Dad travelling overseas more so now.

The unity of America after the attacks. We should remember and honor the people that died in the Trade Centers or the Pentagon or on the flights, but great respect is also due to the police officers and fire fighters that saved anyone they could. Guiliani should also be honored for the strong and calm way he handeled and guided New York City through such a hard time. I want to remember as much as possible from that day because it is our generation's Pearl Harbor.

I didn't have a flag to fly, but on my car's antenna I placed red, white, and blue ribbons to show my pride. I've always had a strong respect for the unity and freedom the American flag represents because my dad was a soldier for 20 years, but 9-11 strengthened my belief that America is the meaning of proteced freedom and no one can take that away.