nmah3896.xml

nmah3896.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I remember my sister Karen calling me and asking what I thought about the plane striking the World Trade Center.
She asked if I thought it was an accident or an act of terrorism. I turned on the television and could not believe my eyes at what I saw. I told her it must be an accident because nobody would be sick enough to do this intentionally.

Then I watched in amazement as the second plane swooped in and struck the other tower. I told her what just happened and that it in no way could accidental. I was dumbfounded.
It felt like nothing I ever felt before. At first it seemed surreal, and then the horror and emptiness and the anger set in.

I could not tear my self away from the TV for long the rest of the day. It wasn't as though I wanted to watch the attack over and over, it just felt more than ever that I belonged to a nation, a family, and I wanted to stay as connected as I could. It seemed like everything I felt was no longer felt as an individual, but as part of a United Nation.

My life has changed in that the things that upset me before seem so petty now. I have a stronger sense of family, not just personally but nationally.

I don't envy my children for the world or future that faces them. I only hope and pray that there will be some resolve to all this, and soon.

This is a different world now. We can't take our freedom and sense of security for granted anymore. We have to work together in one common cause now.

I feel we may have to give up some of our freedoms, our rights, to survive. We can't be worried about certain rights if it means survival. Profiling might seem wrong, but how do we recognize our enemy without it.
These are not rational people. They are an archaic people with archaic beliefs and modern technology. It is a dangerous combination.

I think we should remember the victims of this cowardly act. The heroics of everyday people who stepped forward to do what was right, without hesitation or fear for their own safety. The Police and Firefighters, Soldiers and Civilians. The passengers on the planes, Mayor Rudy Guilliani, who I thought did an excellent job, providing information, and implementing action where it was needed.

Yes. I have a flag in my window and on my car to this day.
I grew up during the Cold War, and Vietnam, and political activism. I remember mindless flag wavers and psuedo patriots. I showed respect for the flag, but I must admit that I never felt the pride I feel since 9/11.