nmah4317.xml

nmah4317.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I, like many Americans, was at work that morning. We always had the radio on everyday and so that is how we found out about the attacks. Most of us after hearing about the first plane thought it was a terrible accident except for one of my co-workers. He emmediately said we were being attacked. Then we heard of the second, then third and finally the fourth plane then there was no doubt we were under attack. As a child, I remember our school having a sign above the door that showed that the school was a fall out shelter.From time to time when we would have a fire or tornado drill we would also have a fall out drill. That was just in case we were ever under attack. I use to worry about that, but once I got older I didn't think about it much. My father was an Air Force veteran. I can remember him saying that the United States was too lax in some things and it would come back to bite us someday. That someday was Sept. 11th.I'm glad he wasn't alive to see this. After going home that day and seeing all the news coverage I was like most Americans, I wondered if this was the begining of the end. There are alot of images that I will always remember, but none as vivid as when I saw a man and women hand in hand jump from the WTC. This, just like when JFK was assassinated, is one of those things you can think about and remember where you were and what you were doing.

It has changed some things in my life. I have always loved to watch planes take off and land, but now it unnerves me. It has also changed the way I look at people. As a christian, I know we are not to judge, but unfortunately I find myself looking a little differently at people from the middle east and other countries. I wonder sometimes if this is going to be the time they decide to do a suicide bombing. I never had to feel that way and now I'm forced to. I don't like it. All I can do is pray and trust in God. He certainly sees the big picture.But it makes me mad to have been forced to feel this way in my own country.

First, I think it should be a national holiday. Maybe in some small way that would give the families and the rest of America a feeling that those people did not die in vain. I think we should never forget the sacrifice all those firemen, policemen, EMTs, pilots, flight attendants and the passengers gave that day.

My family has always flown the flag.My father was very proud of being an Air Force veteran and a citizen of this great country, as a I. Our parents passed that on to us. We were also taught to thank people in the military for their service. Since the attacks last year, I have been surprised by the reactions I have received from military personsel when I have thanked them. Each one has been speechless. I think that in it's self is sad because they should be highly respected for what they do for each of us in this country. As do the men and women of the emergency services.