nmah3850.xml

nmah3850.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I didn't see the first plane hit the Trade Center. I was sitting in my office, running late for a Management Retreat for our company, when my sister (who works with me) ran into my office and said, "I know you're really busy and you're running late, but I think you might want to see this." I didn't get out of my chair...I continued working for a few minutes until one of my co-workers yelled, "Mary, I really think you want to see this." I was immediately alarmed. I ran from my office to the conference room and I stood in amazement as the commentator repeated "again, the World Trade Center has been hit, which appears to be an accident", and with that, I watched a plane plummet into the Second Tower. I couldn't peel my eyes away from the television. I remember other televisions getting turned on throughout the office and radios were on different stations...but the message was the same. While I was watching after the Second Tower was hit, the picture broke over to the Pentagon. Chills ran through my body. I knew we were at war.

The question asked: Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? My life, so-to-speak, has not changed, however my outlook on many factors that effect my life have changed. I stop more often and thank God that I'm an American. I thank God America is as strong as we are. I thank God for those men & women who dedicate their lives to nurture our sense of peace, freedom, and security. When I see an American Flag waving gracefully in the wind, I don't just see it, I feel it. When I see a fellow American displaying any symbol that represents America, I feel united. I feel that we are all together and together we will not fall. When I hear my children sing the Lee Greenwood song, "Proud to be an American", not a time goes by that I don't think of that September Day and all of the people affected by the tragic events. Everytime I hear my children sing, see them smile, listen to them laugh, watch them run, dance or play, I am thankful that the hope of a peaceful future exists for them. Although my children understand what has happened, they too, are still PROUD and know that AMERICA WILL STAND STRONG! Overall, if I were to say what HAS changed about ME, I do not take the morning of tomorrow for granted when I lay my head to sleep at night.

The people who were lost, those who risked their life, and all of America who have perservered! The government's response to terrorism and those who condone terrorism will always be remembered. President's Bush's speech regarding America's response to the attack and the harboring of those "people" responsible will forever ring in our ears.