story3439.xml

story3439.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was going into a meeting that morning and right before we entered the meeting someone said they heard something had happened at the WTC but they were not sure, something to do with an airplane. 2 hours later the meeting was adjourned and when I returned to my desk there were 2 calls waiting for me, my sister and mother were frantic. I had no idea what had taken place while I was in that meeting and hearing my mother and sister frantic was upsetting. My brother who is soon retiring from the Air Force was at the Pentagon that day. We had no idea where he was and if he was OK. I left work and joined some friends and watched the pictures and got the full story for the first time, of the WTC, Shanksville PA and the Pentagon. The first feelings were of incredulity and then saddness and then fear. All I could think of was all those people trapped and the pain, fear, and hopelessness they must have felt when the attacks occured. Mostly at that point in time I wanted to hear from my brother Bob Allen, he is a wonderful loving brother, husband, father. Hours later my sister-in-law Mayo called me and assured me he was OK. He was there but escaped unharmed....physically. This whole tragedy has been significant to me as this is the 2nd disaster I have experienced so close to home. Hurricane Andrew was the first and I saw the American people pull together to help each other and once again the people were called upon to pull together again. I am grateful to be a part of such a couragous, kind, loving country. I have shed many tears for the dead, but also for the living who have much greater losses in their families. I am so proud to know I live in a place filled with heros from all walks of life and remember this is what it's all about, our forefathers fought for freedom and through the years generations have repeatedly fought for our freedom I guess it is our turn now to show what a great country the U.S.A really is and to continue the presevation of something held so dear. I will never forget the lives that have been given in order for my family, friends, fellow country people and myself to live in the free world.

Charlotte Allen Odegaard