nmah5525.xml

nmah5525.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-05-19

I was actually sleeping and a friend called us and told us a plane hit the WTC. We turned on the TV right away and saw what truly looked like a scene from a movie. I just sat there glued to the TV with my mouth wide open at first and then after the news sunk in, I just couldn't help but cry. My fiancee is a pilot for an airline and I am a airline employee as well, As we found out that the airplanes were commercial airlines my thoughts went immediately for those on board and the crew members, and what they must have been going though. I was so devistated. I am also very grateful because as horrible as it was that day, my dad was not in the WTC. He went there for business once a month for the past 5 years. He was supposed to meet a friend on Sept 10 for lunch but he did not go, she died the next day in the World Trade Center. My dad had alot of friends that worked in the Twin Towers, some made it out ok but others unfortunetly did not.

My life has changed dramatically after the attacks, I am more grateful for the "little things" in life, I am always telling my loved ones that I love them every time I talk to them. My job has changed very much. Being in the airline business, I went to work one day and the next day it was a totaly different job. I am extremely cautious of everything in the airport, whether it is a person acting suspicious or bags being left unattended, or other passengers reactions to people of middle eastern decent.
Security has been tighter at the airports as well which is different.

I think the things that should be remembered about September 11th is all those heroes that day who went above and beyond and gave up their lives for others. All those people who unexpectedly lost their lives that day. Those people who lived through the unimaginable and the unthinkable. Those people who knew about the attacks took over that last airplane and stopped the terrorists.
The way all of America grieved and healed all together and helped others whether they knew them or not.
And the way that America moved on and was not going to let anyone slow America down.
I miss seeing the WTC among the NYC Skyline whenever I visit the city I always catch myself looking for the WTC and find myself sad when I dont see them.

I still have an American flag on my car and have had it on since September 11th. My feelings have gotten stronger about the American flag. I think it was because America was hurting and the American flag was a way to help with the healing process. (kind of like a security blanket).