nmah4274.xml

nmah4274.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

It was just a typical Tuesday at Penn Tank Lines, Inc. We were just doing our billing when our mechanic came in and said that he heard that the World Trade Center had been bombed. We had a television for conference videos. We set it up and to our surprise it was true. Or at least we thought until the second plane hit. Standing there in disbelief, I looked outside to see the bright sunshine and wonder how did the plane not see the buildings. Then it hit like a brick in a pond; the Pentagon has now been hit. I just couldn't believe what I was witnessing. I told my husband that I wanted to get our four children from school and I wanted them NOW. Shortly after him calming me down, I recieved a phone call from a daughter of one of our co-workers. It seems that she couldn't locate her father who was out on a business trip for our company. I immediately called corporate to see if anyone knew what flight he was taking, if any one had heard from him. It was then I started to realize what kind of trouble we were in. I mean here is a family man who, thank God didn't, could of been on the wrong plane and been lost just like all of the other souls. I just can't imagine what the family members of the victims are and have been going through.

I did go to our corporate office that day which is only 3 miles away from where I worked. I remember I kept looking in the sky for a plane to fall from the sky. I remember feeling helpless.

My life has changed. I don't want and try not to take life for granted. I appreciate all that my children have to offer. We play more games. We watch less TV. When I am at work, they call me and that is OK. I listen more. We don't take any time together for granted.

The innocence lost: Brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, friends, grandmothers, grandfathers, cousins, co-workers.

These people should never be forgotten.

I did fly the flag before, but now it is out more than it is in. The American flag is now standing for not just freedom, but also unity. We have the same flag. We have the same freedoms. WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
"ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE"