nmah2999.xml

nmah2999.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-10

My name is Aaron Aamold and I was not in New York on September 11th, I didnt have any family that was affected directly by the attacks. Like everyone else in America though, I do remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.
On the morning of September 11th I was in an anti terrorism class with the rest of division 355 in navy boot camp. We were two days away from graduation and very excited that we were going to be moving on to our training commands and leaving Great Lakes IL. As we were siting in class our instructor put us on a short break so we could get a drink and stretch our legs. As our instructor returned and told us that that a plane has struck the world trade center, my first thought was the same as the rest of my division. We thought that it was some kind of sick trick in order to get us in the mindset of how serous terrorism is. After he told us he put us on another break, he soon came back with an update that both towers were hit and the first one had fallen. In a state of denial I still thought it was a sick joke and it wasnt until out RDC had rushed in and told us that we had to put on our gear and get outside that it finally set in.
It as soon as we got back to our berthing we were allowed one phone call to let our family know that they were not allowed to go to our graduation in 2 days. Many people had family that traveled from all over the country to see their new sailors graduate. In my case my father rode his motorcycle from Santa Paula CA. only to be turned around at the gate. It wasnt until a day later that we were able to see the news on the attacks.
I was amazed by the amount of people showing pride in America the first time I was allowed to leave base. I was proud to be a part of the navy, and I am proud of the people who gave their lives to help those who were in the world trade center, and the pentagon. The efforts of those onboard flight 93 show me that courageous people still exist. There sacrifice may have saved thousands of lives. I will not forget

i dont think anyone in America wasnt changed by September 11th.

the courage that was dispayed by few may have saved thousends.

i got a tattoo of an american flag on my leg a few months later. my fealings did not change i have always looked at the american flag with the thought that it stands as a symbol of strength.