nmah3124.xml

nmah3124.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was at a class at a Ramada Inn and we had just stopped for our first break. As I and some of my coworkers walked out of the meeting room, another coworker was walking back toward us saying that NYC had just exploded. We didn't understand what he meant, until we arrived at the lounge area where a TV was on with the news. We still could not tell what had happened. All that was on the screen was a huge cloud of smoke covering downtown NY. Then the news anchor finally announced that a plane had hit the WTC. We all stood there dumbfounded, speechless. We reluctantly went back to the class to begin the next session, but out concentration was lower now, and most were focused on the next break to see the update on NY. Every so often, a Ramada Inn employee would come get someone to leave, and then the call for all military personnel to report to their base came.
Out next break was lunch. We went to the Loop, and as we ate, we watched as the second plane hit. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! I told my friend that it looked like something out of a movie. They just showed it over and over.
We went back to the class, looking forward to each break to hear the news.
Finally the class was over and I went home.
All we watched that night was the news about the attacks. By this time, they had footage of the first plane hitting the WTC. As the news continuously showed the same reels over and overthe planes crashing, the buildings falling, the people running, crying, hurting... it all became too much and I could not help but cry.
My wife and I turned offthe TV and just talked. I don't remember about what.
I later wrote an entry about that day in the journal I am keeping for my 16 mo. old son. I hate that he has a world like this to grow up in.

Yes. I am a much stronger Christian now. I pray every day, sometimes three or more times. It is the only way I have found to stay sane. I put all my trust in God that he will take care of all of my problems, worries, hardships and pains. I make an effort to call my parents more, spend more time with family and just live life to its fullest. Sounds cliche, but it's true.

Of course we need to remember all those who lost their lives, those who helped, those who donated their time and money, and those whose families will forever have a whole in thier lives for the ones that were lost.
We should also remember that life goes on. Many people will dwell on this event for years to come and that is not good. This is why I refuse to watch any coverage on the attacks today (Sept. 11, 2002). I listened to some of it on the radio on the way to work, and it just brought back all of the bad memories. This is why I hope that the rumors I am hearing about making this day a holiday are not true, and that it never happens.

No, I did not fly a flag. Not because I didn't want to. One reason was I could not get one (they were very hard to get after Sept. 11) But as I thought about it, I was glad I did not, mostly because it seemed the a lot of people did it just as a result of the event, maybe for pride, but you have to think, where was all this pride for country before the attacks. If you look around now, no one has the flag on their car anymore, no one wears a red, white & blue T-shirt anymore.
My feelings about the American flag have not changed. I still think it is the most beautiful flag in the world. And not just for what it stands for. It truly is a beautiful flag just to look at. There is a company here in town that flies a huge one, and as I pass by it, I just look in awe at this amazing symbol of our freedoms and am soooo thankful I am an American!