nmah4486.xml

nmah4486.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I was at work when an employee called me and told me that a plane had just hit the tower. Not having a television, I walked down to a common breakroom. Upon entering the room I saw a dozen or so employees of various companies simply staring at the tv. By this time, the second plane had hit and we all just stared. Without a word, we all knew we were at war. I travel quite a bit for work and had just returned from Washington a few days before. My phone didn't stop ringing, my friends and family concerned that I might be on an airplane. All I could think about was my children, I wanted to be with them, to hold them, to reassure them. The schools were releasing children to their parents, if the parents so desired, I contemplated this but decided they were safer right were they were.

I think everyones' life has changed, how could it not. Everytime I board an airplane I am much more observant of those boarding with me. As my children would prefer I quit my job rather than board a plane again, I have found that I must constantly remind them that if we change our routine, if we hide in our homes, if we do not continue living, then the terrorists have won. We live in a free country and we must continue to celebrate our freedom.

September 11, 2001 should never be forgotten. We need to remember that we were attacked, we need to know that we could be attacked again, but I think that what we must remember most is they way this country bonded. The firefighters that rushed into the towers while others were rushing out! That we must never forget. The way our allies mourned with us, that we must never forget. The outpouring of supplies and money, that we must never forget. The overwhelming feeling of love for ones country and its people, that we must NEVER forget.

I hate to admit this, but I had never flown the flag before September 11, 2001. I'm not sure why, I never really gave it much thought. But when I couldn't find a flag anywhere immediately following the attacks, I was upset, I felt unpatriotic. As soon as I found a flag I began to fly it with pride. I will never again forget what our flag represents, FREEDOM, and I will always fly it with pride.