nmah4595.xml

nmah4595.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I live in Western New York and was the Art Director for an advertising and marketing firm near Buffalo, NY. Our Sales Executive came rushing into our office to announce that someone blew up a building in New York City, and she was shaking. We tried to get information on the internet but we unsuccessful. Tears started to flow when we heard from her radio station contact that another building was hit. Intermittently we saw news on the internet but it was behind in events, but we did learn that it was a plane hitting a building - we thought it was a bomb. We were not sure between what was verbal information, internet information and conjecture. It was very panicking to "not know". When we did finally learn that these were planes and intentionally flown into our World Trade Center buildings - we thought we were at war. Then we heard that there was another plane and possibly another. We heard that the Pentagon was hit. We could not imagine "who" would do this. The owner of our firm let everyone leave work. I rushed to the car dealership where my husband works and watched the television in the customer lounge. I could not keep the flight numbers straight in my head. It was very upsetting and this feeling of loss came. There was no way to comprehend it - people were trapped and dying and it was too overwhelming. I prayed for those trapped and for those helping them and for my children at their local school. I had no idea if more attacks would come. When the towers fell, it was like watching a movie. It was a sickening feeling. We finally learned that the plane in Pennsylvania was down. We spent weeks literally glued to the television. Our children were overwhelmed and we did not even know what to say to each other. The facts were horrendous. More information comes constantly and we look back on what happened and we study it. I would say we are still witnessing it and learning from it.

Yes. I think that as a family we see the news unfolding a master plan. We see Biblical prophesy unfolding and we are closer to one another and I think we need to brace ourselves for what will only get worse. We care what happens to our country, our cities and our neighbors and that made me feel so good - to see that good people are still out there and they will sacrifice for one another. I believe in people again - their goodness. I believe in city leaders, the department who serve and in the Presidency. I watch the news and I understand Israel's battle; we must learn from them. I see that we are vulnerable. I see that hatred in the world is very real. I will never feel the same again, and I understand that within our borders we are not safe. The threat can come from overseas, but it can also manifest inself here. I really don't think people worry about what is inside our borders. I think that isolated neighborhoods and mosques and places that financially gain power and have alliances to extremist groups should be dealt with. I don't think we should accept "it's a different place there - not even like being in the USA - it's not safe there" as I heard people account of these neighborhoods. My life is changed because I know that we are not only part of the world at war now, but we are the leaders of a world at war - we will end terror or we will fight it til we die. We no longer sit back and watch. I believe we cannot do it in a small way - we must be a giant wave in motion that cleanly wipes terrorists from the earth. On a very small scale, but personal level, I was laid off October 5th, 2001. Many people lost their jobs. It was unfortunate, but also an opportunity. On a large scale this is an example because we saw a very small demonstration of what terrorists can do - now we have an opportunity to change how we prevent and react and can possibly keep attacks from happening. It starts with a change of mindset. I believe we all experienced that.

We are vulnerable. We are not so big and far away that we are beyond attack. We are not so powerful that we can control what others will do. We are labeled "infidels" by these extremists and they mean to exterminate us, as if we were insects. We must remember that we are dealing with people that have no conscience, no loyalty to our true Father in Heaven, and no fear of dying for their Satanic desire to control the world or wipe us out. If they cannot control it physically, they want to do it emotionally - and as the President has said so many times - we need not be swept away with panic - or they are controlling us. Being vigilant is smart. So, we be cautious and take note and prepare and we act decisively. We cut them off and we root them out - here and abroad and we make them powerless. There is no more being passive. The thing to remember is that we are all grown up now, we can no longer be children as a society - and we must act like the leaders we are. We will no longer accept unacceptable behaviour from anyone! Time to stand up and be counted! It is worth dying for: the principles, the country, the freedom - it is for our children. We should remember Flight 93. They were heroes - there heart was in the right spot - they stood for what they believed. Rumors may be truths about that flight - did we have to shoot it down? If we did, they would have wanted it that way, anyway - and we had a tough decision and it was made. If we did shoot it down, we as Americans will have to grow up and accept that. Americans must remember if they want truth then they will have to accept it - no matter what it is - we aren't babies any more. We can't judge and we can't sit idle and we can't "talk it out" with a force that will kill you using their own child if they can. Remember vigilance, decisiveness, heroic action and the human spirit. Remember our Father watches us, watches over us and if we die - then we die. If we are forgiven through our personal commitment to Jesus, our Saviour, we will be with our Father in Heaven. We will have no regrets.

No, we do not have a cloth flag. However, we do have pins with the flag on them, that I wear on my suits. Yesterday, I was given a flag pin at the Family Dollar Store, so I have two now. Yes, the flag is important, and it is a symbol of our strengths, as a country and as our spirit - mostly for the people who have died for it. We do live for it, but not in the extreme way people die for it. It is a symbol of standing up and being counted. I guess in everyday life we don't do that so much, but when we are needed, we are there - we pull together - we are heroes. Thank you, coolsavings.com for suggesting this Smithsonian historical documentation!