nmah5604.xml

nmah5604.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-08-23

I was working at a call center in Sacramento, California. Around 6 am pacific time I received a call from a gentleman in Brooklyn, NY. As I was placing his order he had mentioned a plane had "hit the World Trade Center". He mentioned all the tv stations were out so he was trying to get some reception using an old "rabbit ears" antenna. Just as we were speaking I could hear his wife in the background saying "Oh my God! Another plane just hit!" He asked her what was happening with me still on the phone. He stated they could see and smell the smoke from their window. Another plane had hit the second tower.
I recall telling him, "One plane is an accident, two is terrorism. Best of luck to you folks back there."

As I relayed the information to my coworkers, one of them ran up to me in tears. Two of her closest friends worked in each tower. Myself and one other person had radios and immediately turned on the news. For those who weren't close enough to hear, we'd relay what was happening via inter office email. Initially a supervisor told us to turn the radios off and get back to work. No one listened to that directive. We needed to hear what was happening.
Then the radio announced plane had hit the Pentagon, and all aircraft were being ordered to land.
I felt the blood rush to my feet when one coworker, who's radio kept working after the batteries in mine had died, "The World Trade Tower has collapsed!" Shortly thereafter, the second tower fell.

I was stunned.

I had grown up in NY, Long Island to be exact. When I moved away, the towers had not yet been erected. Now I will never see them.

We then heard on the radio that all, save for one aircraft had been accounted for. Then another announcement of "an unconfirmed account" of a plane crash in Pennsylvania.

What was happening to our world?

Our call volume had completely ceased, and we received an email from corporate stating anyone wishing to go home would be permitted. It was now approximately 11 am.
I went immediately to my mom's, only to find her sick in bed with no idea of what had happened. We turned on the news only to watch the replays again and again of each tower and it's occupants loosing their lives to terrorists.

As the days went by, I was happy to hear my coworker's friends had both survived the tragedy.

I have learned that life is so fleeting. Everything may be fine one moment, only to find it completely wiped away in an instant. I cherish the lives of those I'm close to. I know, every time I leave someone, I may never see them again, and value every moment spent with them.

That we let our guard down. A major mistake every administration should well realize.
Unfortunately, history has such a tendancy to repeat itself again and again.
Those who perished at the hand of terrorists should always be remembered, not as heroes, but as Americans, and citizens proud to call their country home.

It should also be remembered that those who kill "in the name of God" are not martyrs, or heroes either. They are lower than pond scum.

I have always loved and respected our Flag. I did fly a flag. Those who would burn our flag should go back to the countries they came from and burn that country's flag and see what it gets them.
My feeling:
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT HERE...PLEASE EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO LEAVE!