nmah6501.xml

nmah6501.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-04-17

On September 11th 2001, I was working on a state contract for the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was a normal day, I had a meeting with a sub-contractor at Richmond International Airport and the meeting was proceeding normally when all of a sudden, an employee rushed into the conference room and turned the television on. What we saw was one of the World Trader Center buildings burning. The news reporter was talking about a plane that had crashed into the building. People in the room started discussing the crash as an accident. I then remembered watching BBC America a few days before and a report of the Northern Alliance Afghan Leader being assasinated by Al Qaeda. Along with the USS Cole attack, I immediately knew this was terrorism at work and I said to everyone in the room that this was not an accident. People looked at me like I was crazy. Shortly thereafter, the second plane crashed into the second tower. There was then no doubt. We were being attacked. We adjourned the meeting, wishing to return to our office in downtown Richmond. As we left the building, we heard the distinctive noise of one fighter jet after another taking off. It was F16's of the Virginia National Guard. Later we heard that they were heading for Washington DC to intercept a plane that was off track. This was the plane that would eventually hit the Pentagon. As we headed downtown, we found that we could not get to our office as all government building were being closed down and roads were being sealed off. I called my wife and told her I was heading home and that I wanted to be with her during these horrific times. We spent the rest of the day searching the news channels for some kind of hope, not believing that the World Trade Center towers had collapsed, killing thousands of people.

In the days of the cold war, you knew who the enemy was. He sat on the other side of the fence known as the Iron Curtain. You knew he had nuclear weapons and nerve gas agents and multiple other ways to destroy the world 100 times over. But you also knew that if this enemy attacked, he would be in a tank, he would wear a uniform and he would come from the east. After 9/11, you no longer know who the enemy is. The person walking down the street greeting you could have in his hand the dirty bomb that kills thousands. You have the feeling that you should stay away from risky areas, you shouldn't fly, you shouldn't take any risks. But they have won if you change your life to meet their strategies. Today, I am more aware of my surroundings but I refuse to change my life for these people.

9/11 is not like Pearl Harbor or any other significant attack on the United States. In 9/11, it wasn't army against army or country against country. This was terrorism against 3,000 civillians who did nothing more than say goobye to their families to go to work and never returned. 9/11 should never be forgotten. 9/11 should be kept out of the hands of commericalization, politics and the media. The people own 9/11 and the people are the ones who should never forget. Not one organization should decide how 9/11 is remembered. Every person in the world who believes in freedom and democracy are survivors of 9/11 and should never forget the fateful day in 2001. We should remember the way we feel comfortable remembering.

I flew the flag and I am prpud to be under the protection of the flag and always will be.