nmah5134.xml

nmah5134.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-22

When I was a child, I hid under the dining room table as war was declared on Japan. I was too young to understand what the war about to be fought really meant. That was nothing compared to 9-11. I don't know why I turned on the news instead of listening to what was happening on the radio. At the time I started watching, the news caster was not really sure about what had really taken place. I will never forget seeing the beautiful blue sky and the silver colored plane that flew into the World Trade Center. When the scene changed to the fire at the pentagon, that was too close to home. The whole world changed on that day and nothing would ever be the same again. I had always felt safe in the US, but it was changed on the morning of 9-11, we are like the rest of the world now, vulnerable to attack.

I try to make the best of every day and not put off things my husband and I have wanted to see and do. My children and grandchildren get more of my time. My husband and I try to have more family gatherings.

That we are vulnerable to attack and must be vigilant. There was a song during the 2nd World War called, "We Must be Vigilant." It may sound maudlin, but everyday should be lived as if it was the last and that we are more aware of others.

For ten years I was the game manager at a high school and I wanted to make the students remove their hats and stand during the national anthem, but was not allowed. I had a wooden replica of a flag that I kept on my door. I just took it down to put a seasonal wreath up. I am one of the one who has to wipe tears away when I see the flag, hear the national anthem, pledge of the flag. Young people need to be taught patriotic pride.