nmah420.xml

nmah420.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-24

Just starting a vacation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, my husband and I had just got up to get ready for our first full day there. As I went into the kitchen to get some tea I stopped and turned on the television for some local news and weather. I began to pour the tea when I turned around to look at the television to see what exactly they were reporting. I called my husband and just pointed and said, "Look at this"! He could tell by the look on my face something was wrong. We both sat down and watched the horrible sites at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. We called our family back in Las Vegas to make sure they were all safe and to report we were fine. It was a very insecure feeling to be so far away from home at this moment in time. Being we had not taken a vacation in ten years we decided to take it day by day and to remain there. The homes and cars in Albuquerque began to display American Flags in every size. Groups started collecting money for the victims. We were able to keep abreast of all the news on television and local radio. As much as we looked forward to this trip I can say we were very happy to come home.

I had quit my job before Sept. 11th and my husband worked another nine months and quit his. We decided that although we are both several years from retirement that we would stop working and enjoy our life more. This was not the plan we had originally but we feel it has added quality to our lives. In a couple of years we are planning a trip through the U.S. by either car or camper. We look forward to meeting many patriotic Americans just like the ones we saw during the days and months following Sept. 11th.

We should remember those who died in the buildings and planes as well as those who tried to rescue those people. We should remember those left behind to carry on their lives. We should remember those who lost their jobs. Most of all, we should remember how precious Life is.

We displayed our Flag on our home after Sept. 11th. We put stickers of the American Flag on our cars. We bought t-shirts that display our Flag as well as pins. I know we both have always respected our Flag but now our feelings are deeper than ever when we see it. We have even greater pride to be Americans!