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. I had just awakened that September morning, washed, gotten dressed for work, and went downstairs. I turned on the TV, like I do every morning (it helps to wake me up). How I wish now I hadn't turned it on, but that wouldn't have changed anything, would it? Suddenly, the breaking news that a plane had run into one of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City (I live in Burleson, TX). My heart just clutched. They got the live feed, and there it was...smoke just pouring from the North Tower. They were saying a "small plane." Then here came the second one and I was horrified to see it deliberately angle in and strike the South Tower. That's when I knew we were under attack. No way two airplanes could strike one target. I had to go to work, so I didn't see the news for the rest of the day, but our boss kept us informed. When he told us that the Towers had collapsed, I cynically replied, "110-storey buildings just don't fall." How I wish I'd been right. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes. When I got home from work, my twin sister was crying and terrified. She would not turn on the TV. We decided the best thing for us would be to attend church--any church. We walked to a local church here, they had a memorial service and prayer; my twin was delivered of a Spirit of fear. We walked home and she went to bed, where, thankfully, she slept like a baby. Not me. I sat up and watched the news. The replayed images over and over and over and over again. I started crying. And I wrote the first of my poems. Of all the lives that were taken that horrible day, one life was saved: MINE. I was given a Gift, you see. I write. I write, and haven't stopped. As of today, September 11, 2004, I've written over 975 poems. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The Twin Towers footprints should be left alone, it's sacred ground. I would like to see our firefighters, EMS and police personnel receive special honor and tribute as a small token of appreciation for the heroism they show. Maybe a special award created to honor the best of the best. I would like to see our men and women in uniform receive special honor as well. They are heroes, as well. We are not free without their service; our country owes them a debt of gratitude we can never repay. 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 am a veteran, USAF, 1983-85, so American pride has always been strong in me. Now, my heart beats red, white and blue. :) Many died for that flag, I served for that flag, and no one is going to tell me I cannot fly my flag. 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 nmah6729.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. 2004-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 66.140.37.125