nmah189.xml

nmah189.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-19

I happened to be at home in Florida on September 11, 2001. I received a call from a friend shortly after the first plane struck the Towers, who asked me to turn on the TV and tell him what was happening. He was at work and away from a TV, and he couldnt get on any of the news websites because they were all overloaded with users logging on to fins out what happened. I turned on the TV, and to my horror, I saw one of the towers of the World Trade Center billowing out smoke. I thought that it was a terrible accident; a plane had lost control and crashed into a building in New York.

As I watched the building burning, and as I commentated for my friend on the other end of the phone, I saw a live shot of the second plane crashing into the other tower. I went silent, and my friend on the other end of the phone kept asking me what was happening. After about 30 seconds I regained my ability to speak, and I told him a plane had flown right into the side of the building. Both buildings were up in flames, and I could see silhouettes of what I came to realize were people dropping to their deaths from the windows.

I thought the worst was over, that the fires would burn out, but didnt think the buildings could or would come down. As I watched in horror, I went silent again as one of the towers collapsed in an enormous cloud of smoke, dust, and debris. I was still on the phone, and when I told my friend about the first collapse, I had to get off the phone because I couldnt speak any longer. The horror of the event finally started setting in, and I realized that thousands of people were now dead, and I knew that the other tower was going to collapse. I watched in horror as it collapsed, and I wondered how many more planes would strike, and how many more buildings would collapse. Then news was trickling in from the Pentagon and Southwestern PA, and I realized that the feeling of safety and security I once took for granted was now over, and that a new age of world politics, of warfare, and of diplomacy was about to begin.

My feeling of safety and security has changed. I no longer feel as safe travelling. I look around suspiciously when I am in crowded, public places.

More importantly, I feel more inclined to help my fellow man; that this common national tragedy has reacquainted me with the fact that, regardless of our differences, we are all Americans, and that our ability and freedom to differ on opinions doesnt mean we arent all one, unified nation. It taught me that we need to discuss our differences with our fellow Americans while realizing that we are still a unified people who are here to enjoy and promote freedom to each other and the rest of the world.

I believe we should remember the victims, their families, and all those who are still suffering through this terrible event. I think people should remember the horror and the fear we all felt on that horrifying morning so that we remain steadfast and unified in our responsibility to protect ourselves. Lastly, we should all remember the way we came together, as a nation, to support each other. We should remember the outpouring of emotion from coast to coast in support of the victims and their families. I think we need to remember who is responsible for this act, and continue to pursue and disrupt any and all of their activities.

I did fly an American Flag in support of the victims, their families, the relief efforts, the heroism, and our military brethren who are acting in response to these terrible actions.

I have always felt the American Flag has been an enduring symbol of Freedom, of the American Spirit, and of the American Way of Life. On one hand it represents our history, our search for freedom, and the country we have built. After September 11, I believe it has come to represent our future. That future is rooted in the spirit behind the actions of the Police Departments, Transit Authority, Fire Departments, and countless volunteers and supporters from all over America. The Flag represents a new America, united in defense of our ideals, and still committed to preserving the America that we have worked so hard to build, and fought so hard to defend.